Dexamethasone injections: how many days can you inject for swelling?

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Evgeniy Nikolaevich Konoplev

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The pharmacological group of glucocorticosteroids includes Dexamethasone injections. The hormonal drug is in demand in various fields of medicine. It is administered intravenously or intramuscularly if medically available. The transparent liquid contains no impurities. The doctor may prescribe the patient treatment with Dexamethasone in ampoules of 1 or 2 ml.

Properties and composition

The main component is sodium phosphate . The instructions for use of the drug Dexamethasone in injections also indicate excipients: methylparaben, water for injection, sodium hydroxide, disodium edetate . The drug of synthetic origin has a pronounced anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effect. It easily eliminates swelling.

Indications and contraindications

After the injection, the therapeutic effect develops instantly. At the same time, it remains for a long period. Indications for injections:

1. pathologies associated with the endocrine system;
2. shock of various etiologies;
3. systemic pathologies associated with connective tissue;
4. asthma, bronchospasm;
5. cerebral edema caused by infection or skull injury;
6. skin diseases;
7. malignant formation;
8. idiopathy;
9. ophthalmological pathologies;
10. severe general infection.

It is recommended to use the medicine after a comprehensive examination. There are certain contraindications and limitations to Dexamethasone therapy. The injection is not administered when the patient has an intolerance to the constituent components.

The solution is prescribed with caution for ulcers, nonspecific colitis, herpes, lymphadenitis, and after a heart attack. If arterial hypertension is confirmed in an adult patient, Dexamethasone is contraindicated for use. The medicine should not be used during the period of active growth of the child.

Doctors include diabetes mellitus, low glucose tolerance, and other pathologies of the endocrine system as side effects of Dexamethasone injections. During treatment, the gastrointestinal tract may be damaged. Pancreatitis, nausea, and abdominal pain rarely develop. From the cardiac system, bradycardia occurs. Blood clotting is impaired.

The nervous system suffers from Dexamethasone:

1. overexcitement;
2. problems with orientation in space;
3. depression;
4. hallucinations;
5. insomnia;
6. dizziness.

Injections affect the organs of vision , increasing intraocular pressure, causing cataracts, atrophy of the cornea and optic nerve. At the same time, visual acuity decreases. The patient suffers from the sensation of a foreign body in the eyes. During therapy, sweating increases and body weight increases.

Other adverse reactions include thrombophlebitis. To exclude allergies, it is recommended to conduct a compatibility test before treatment.

If the epidermis does not turn red in the area of ​​the puncture, there is no allergy to the components of the medicine. In such cases, the patient is allowed to undergo treatment with Dexamethasone.

If you administer the drug in a large dose or use it for a long period, the patient will show signs of overdose - nausea with vomiting, pallor, lethargy.

Against the background of such processes, the functions of the adrenal cortex are inhibited. In severe cases, adrenal insufficiency occurs. Therapy is symptomatic. The medicine is canceled or its dose is reduced.

Advantages and disadvantages

Dexamethasone has some advantages and disadvantages. Among the advantages, doctors include the fastest possible effect, reasonable price, broad impact, and the possibility of administration as a single and maintenance therapy.

The following negative aspects are characteristic of Dexamethasone injections:

1. constant monitoring of the patient’s condition by doctors;
2. a wide list of adverse reactions;
3. restrictions for pregnant and lactating women;
4. pain when inserted into the joint capsule.

How much can you use

Determining the dosage of Dexamethasone for allergies and calculating the duration of use is an individual question for each patient. These parameters can only be determined by a specialist. The doctor determines the dosage and treatment regimen depending on the patient’s condition and the history of the pathological process. When the expected result of the therapy is achieved, the dose of the drug is gradually reduced and the patient is transferred to maintenance therapy. Since Dexamethasone is a long-acting medicine, the duration of treatment should not exceed 3-4 days .

Instructions for use

The drug is injected into a vein by stream or drip infusion. Injections are given into the muscles and injected locally into the pathological focus. The dosage is determined by the doctor in each case individually. If therapy will be carried out at home, the patient should know whether Dexamethasone injections need to be diluted when administered intramuscularly.

If the solution is to be injected into a vein, it must first be diluted with physiological sodium chloride solution or 5% dextrose solution. The dosage of medication for acute allergies in a child is calculated individually. In this case, the pediatrician takes into account the body weight and general condition of the small patient.

When the proper therapeutic effect is achieved, the doctor gradually reduces the dosage. This solution will prevent the manifestation of withdrawal syndrome, a severe dysfunction of the adrenal cortex.

If necessary, injections are replaced with Dexamethasone tablets. The patient must give up alcohol and other bad habits.

Before undergoing therapy for pregnant women, it is recommended to ask your doctor how many days you can take Dexamethasone injections. The dosage and duration of therapy depends on the diagnosis and the condition of the pregnant woman. Pharmacists do not recommend using the medication in the 1st trimester of pregnancy. If treatment is necessary in the second and third trimester, the risk to the baby is first assessed.

According to ongoing studies, long-term therapy with Dexamethasone disrupts intrauterine development and fetal growth. Atrophy of the adrenal cortex in an infant is possible. The medicine is not prescribed during lactation. Otherwise, breastfeeding stops. The child is transferred to artificial nutrition.

Inflammation

To eliminate the inflammatory process in the joint, an injection is given into the joint capsule. But such a scheme for administering Dexamethasone should be short-term, otherwise the tendons will rupture. It is recommended to inject into the area of ​​the affected joint no more than once during the entire course of therapy.

Doctors give a second injection into the joint capsule only after 4 months. During the year, Dexamethasone is introduced into the body in this way up to 4 times. By following these recommendations, the destruction of cartilage is prevented. If the joint is inflamed, the patient is prescribed Dexamethasone in injections of 0.4–4 mg. The dosage depends on the age and weight of the patient, the size of the affected joint.

Eliminating allergies

If allergies are accompanied by severe inflammation, antihistamines are ineffective. With this diagnosis, Dexamethasone is indicated. The drug is considered a derivative of prednisolone, so it effectively reduces allergies.

Dexamethasone injections are prescribed for urticaria, dermatitis with eczema, Quincke's edema, and anaphylactic shock. Injections are combined with oral medications. More often they are prescribed in the first days of treatment at 4-8 mg. Then the injections are replaced with tablets. Therapy lasts up to 8 days.

During this period, doctors monitor blood pressure, vision, water and electrolyte balance, and blood tests. To reduce the risk of side effects, the patient should follow a diet that includes foods with potassium. It is necessary to minimize the amount of carbohydrates consumed.

If, before treatment, the patient has liver problems, Dexamethasone is prescribed with extreme caution. It is forbidden to stop therapy abruptly. Dexamethasone is often used in pediatrics. While treating the child, doctors monitor his condition. It is prohibited to inject children with large doses. Otherwise, their growth will be inhibited. If therapy is prescribed for diabetics, the level of glucose in the circulatory system is monitored. If indicated, the daily dose of the hypoglycemic agent is adjusted.

Drug interactions

Against the background of the Dexamethasone + Ephedrine or Rifampicin , the therapeutic effect of hormones is reduced. If you give injections while taking diuretics, you can provoke severe heart failure. This reaction develops against the background of increased removal of potassium from the body.

The regimen of glucocorticosteroid + sodium-containing agent increases the risk of developing edema and blood pressure indicators. Treatment with Dexamethasone with a cardiac glycoside leads to ventricular extrasystole. Since the medication in question weakens the therapeutic effect of the anticoagulant, the patient requires a dosage adjustment of the latter drug.

Anticoagulant , which is taken orally at the same time as Dexamethasone injections, increases the risk of developing gastrointestinal ulcers. Doctors make a similar diagnosis when taking a glucocorticosteroid and a non-steroidal NSAID together. Dexamethasone + Paracetamol contributes to toxic liver damage. It has been proven that the drug in question weakens the therapeutic effect of insulin and antihypertensive drugs.

The injection solution is dispensed from the pharmacy with a doctor's prescription. It is recommended to store ampoules in a dark place out of reach of children. Do not leave the drug in the refrigerator. Dexamethasone must be used for three years. If impurities appear inside the ampoules, they are thrown away. The price of Dexamethasone injections ranges from 90-100 rubles per pack.

Hormonal drugs KRKA Dexamethasone injection solution 4 mg – review

All the best!

First of all, I want to say that I am not allergic. At all! At least, I considered myself that way all my adult life.

No, when I was about 4 years old, I had an allergy because of peach soda, which I drank too much, but nothing like that happened again. Until recently. Oh yes, I’m also allergic to mosquito bites.

Sometimes I get purpura-like spots at the site of the bite. But that's all. No swelling, no redness throughout the body.

Background

A month ago, right in the summer heat, I managed to get very sick, I had to take antibiotics and other nasty drugs that I didn’t like. In two weeks I recovered, but only a slight cough remained. And about a week ago, after completing treatment, I woke up in the morning with swollen fingers.

So swollen that my rings (size 16) did not fit on any of my fingers, even my little finger) My fingers looked like thick sardels. Then this circumstance stressed me out, but made me more amused! And in vain, as I later realized. I drank Zodak and calmed down. The swelling went down within a couple of hours.

The fact is that the day before, a couple of days before, I discovered bites on my legs and arms that looked like mosquito bites or midge bites. I found fleas that we brought with the dog from a walk, and therefore I thought that the bites were flea bites, and the swollen fingers on my hands were the result of an allergy to these bites. The fleas were reactively poisoned, and it seemed like they stopped biting me.

And 3 days later, in the evening, when I returned home, I discovered that my legs above the knees were covered with large red-pink blisters from hives , and new spots appeared right before my eyes.

Of course, I was scared and tried for a long time to figure out what I could eat (although, I repeat, I don’t have any food allergies!).

Thoughts rushed through my brain, which (certainly deadly!!!))) viral diseases could cause a rash, and why the doctor checked this disease on me.

Evening, the beginning of the attack

I was distracted from shock and stupid thoughts by a strange sensation in my lower lip. Tingling, numbness. I realized that my lip was swelling . I saw a duck in the mirror. I realized that the tryndets had come from where we were not expecting them! I took two Zodak tablets. Started to panic. My husband panicked too. Thank you, my mother was visiting, and she remained outwardly calm.

And my panic only intensified, because I felt that it was becoming difficult for me to breathe. I quickly found Suprastin and took two more tablets. Meanwhile, the lip continued to swell, increasing three times in size. I thought that if the swelling got worse now, I would die. Because we can’t wait for an ambulance; they’ll arrive in 40 minutes at best.

It was incredibly scary, I wouldn’t wish this experience on anyone!

Evening, 15 minutes after the start

But Suprastin helped in time, all this stopped within 5 minutes. The swelling has decreased, but the urticaria spots have not disappeared. At night, my mother was on duty next to me, checking that everything was okay. All was good.

The next morning my feet were swollen, and they itched unbearably. There are even more spots on the hips and knees . My husband laughed and said that I looked like a leopard.

The morning before the first injection

But even without this, I would have gone to the doctor. It was not possible to make an appointment with an allergist right away; all the local ones were already booked. I went to the therapist, examined me from head to toe and prescribed treatment: Polysorb or Enterosgel (I took both, because the first one ended at the wrong time), Nixar (instead of the outdated Suprastin) and injections of Dexamethasone, which I encountered for the first time.

Dexamethasone belongs to the group of glucocorticoid drugs. This is a synthetic hormone of the adrenal cortex.

Dexamethasone injections are given in cases where for some reason it is impossible to use tablets. Usually these are severe conditions, severe pain, and serious allergic reactions. Injections are given for no longer than 3-5 days, then, if necessary, they switch to oral administration of the drug.

Price. For one ampoule 4 mg. They paid about 6 rubles. Only 23 rubles. The price is ridiculous. Syringes were more expensive.

I only needed 4 ampoules. The doctor decided that it was necessary to inject it only 2 days intramuscularly.

buy it at any pharmacy. My husband found it in the one closest to the house. With Nixar, for example, the situation is more complicated.

Volume : 1 ml injection, active ingredient 4 mg/ml.

The packaging is ordinary yellow ampoules without a break point for the spout. Because We didn’t buy the entire package, so we didn’t get a special nail file. I had to open it at home using improvised methods. Please pay attention to this when purchasing.

The list of indications for use of the drug is huge! As well as a list of side effects.

Briefly about one of the areas of application:

This drug is used most often in emergency cases: with Quincke's edema, angioedema or anaphylactic shock. But its use is also indicated for severe urticaria, dermatitis, eczema, conjunctivitis, hay fever

Since the drug is hormonal, and only a doctor should prescribe it, I will not describe these points in detail, I will focus on my feelings and impressions.

Contraindications

There are many pathologies for which Dexamethasone cannot be used, as this can lead to the development of serious side effects.

It is very important not to use such medicine for various infectious diseases. Dexamethasone has an immunosuppressive effect, that is, it suppresses the immune system. If there are viruses, bacteria or fungi in the body, they begin to multiply quickly

Drug interactions

Dexamethasone is usually used as part of complex treatment. But it is very important to consider its compatibility with other medications. Some of them may reduce the effectiveness of the drug or increase the risk of side effects.

Do not take the drug together with other glucocorticoids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The risk of severe side effects also increases when used together with birth control or Ritodrine.

Special instructions:

Long-term use of such injections or exceeding the recommended dose is unacceptable. The active ingredient of this drug can negatively affect the condition of cartilage tissue and even cause weakening or rupture of tendons. Therefore, for pathologies such as osteoarthritis or osteochondrosis, it is rarely used and only under the supervision of a doctor.

Dexamethasone is pharmaceutically incompatible with other drugs (may form insoluble compounds)

The medicine, as you can see, is not simple, but effective. The side effects are severe, so I was scared to inject it for the first time.

I would also like to draw your attention to the fact that, as I was warned, the drug cannot be combined with alcohol (like many medications, nothing surprising). And it is undesirable to combine it with carbohydrates (especially fast ones - sugar, baked goods, etc.) and fats.

Therefore, for several days I had to forget about all this, limiting myself to light protein foods and simple vegetables.

✔️ My impressions

The injection itself is not painful . But the product is apparently slightly oily (it looks a little thicker than conventional solutions), it is administered slowly and it takes a long time to distribute.

Within 5 minutes after the injection, I felt that my entire gluteal muscle was starting to ache and the pain went first down to my thigh and then up. The pain was severe, it was difficult for me to walk for 1.5 hours after the injection .

And I’m far from a sissy, I was injected with drugs that hurt more (the same Polyoxidonium). The pain subsided after 5 hours.

✔️ But the effect appeared within 10 minutes : first the hellish itching of the feet went away. The stains disappeared almost completely within a few hours. On the second day, after the second injection, they went away completely.

An hour after the first injection

Nothing worries me now. I am being examined by an allergist. The doctor, by the way, suggested that this could be an accidental reaction to treatment for acute respiratory infections, which was the day before.

✔️ Side effects that I encountered.

As I already noted, the product has a lot of side effects. From reviews of Dexamethasone, I also learned that the drug causes a strong appetite.

In addition to the pain in my thigh from the injection, I had very severe dizziness , slight weakness and drowsiness (but the latter was most likely the result of taking Nixar). Otherwise, I did not notice any negative reactions.

I recommend the drug conditionally because it helped me without causing complications. It really helped! But it didn’t relieve the symptoms. Because before that I took Zodak and Suprastin, but they relieved the symptom for a while, and then everything only got worse.

✔️ I categorically do not recommend taking Dexamethasone without consulting a doctor , and in some cases, even after a doctor’s prescription, weigh the pros and cons.

Thank you for your attention! Good health!

* * * * * * * * * *

My reviews of other medications HERE

Source: https://irecommend.ru/content/ukoly-deksametazona-primenenie-pri-ostrom-pristupe-allergii-vpervye-ya-ispytala-otek-kvinke

Analogs

If it is not possible to use Dexamethasone, the patient is prescribed its analogues. A comprehensive examination of the patient is first carried out, and the anamnesis is studied. The main glucocorticosteroid substitutes include Dexaven, Dexazone, Dexamed, Maxidex.

Dexaven effectively fights inflammation by suppressing alteration. For allergies, the drug blocks the release of histamines, suppressing immunogenesis. With its help, sodium and water ions are retained in the body. This helps increase plasma volume.

The drug Dexazone is considered another effective analogue of the glucocorticosteroid drug in question. Dexazone contains sodium phosphate, glycerin, and phosphoric acid to quickly eliminate inflammation. The medicine is available in 1 ml ampoules.

Other analogues of Dexamethasone:

1. Dexamed. Quickly stops the inflammatory and allergic process, increasing the sensitivity of beta-adrenergic receptors to endogenous catecholamines. The drug interacts well with receptors for corticosteroids.
2. Maxidex. Effective in the fight against ophthalmic pathologies. Elimination of inflammation is achieved by inhibiting the adhesion of molecules to vascular endothelial cells. Against this background, the number of inflammatory mediators decreases and leukocyte adhesion is inhibited.

Any analogue of Dexamethasone is taken after consultation with a doctor.

How does Dexamethasone work?

For urticaria, taking Dexamethasone is necessary to avoid an acute reaction and prevent anaphylactic shock. The effect of the drug for urticaria is based on improving liver functionality. Thanks to Dexamethasone, the organ begins to quickly remove harmful toxins from the body and cleanses the blood of allergens. The allergy provoked by external factors disappears, the rash goes away.

In the body of a person with urticaria, Dexamethasone has the following effects:

• relieves skin redness;
• eliminates itching;
• improves skin tone;
• eliminates minor rashes;
• rids the body of allergens;
• strengthens local immunity.

As a result, the acute allergic reaction is eliminated. It is necessary to constantly monitor the well-being and condition of the person who has developed an allergy. This will avoid complications of urticaria and prevent its exacerbation.

The drug is produced in ampoules, eye drops, and tablets. For urticaria, Dexamethasone in ampoules and tablets is taken only as prescribed by a doctor. For anaphylactic shock, intravenous injection of Dexamethasone is performed. Also, in critical condition, an ambulance is called. It is possible to treat urticaria with Prednisolone.

Side effects

Dexamethasone is in most cases very well tolerated and does not cause side effects. However, there are cases of such negative effects on the body as:

• steroid diabetes mellitus and problems with glucose absorption,
• suppression of the adrenal glands,
• Itsenko-Kushenko syndrome,
• developmental delay in children, amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea,
• nausea and vomiting after taking the drug,
• problems and disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, including bleeding, flatulence, hiccups and others
• problems with the cardiovascular system, for example, arrhythmia, thrombosis, increased blood pressure,
• euphoria and possible hallucinations,
• disorientation,
• confusion,
• insomnia,
• dizziness,
• increased intracranial pressure,
• headache,
• convulsions,
• depressive states,
• paranoia,
• increased calcium excretion,
• trophic changes and eye infections after taking the drug,
• increase in body weight or its pathological decrease,
• delayed wound healing,
• allergic reactions, including local ones,
• flushes of blood to the face,
• withdrawal syndrome
• increased sweating,
• peripheral edema,
• osteoparosis.

Contraindications

This drug has two contraindications:

• hypersensitivity to the components of the drug,
• lactation period.

The drug is prescribed with caution in the following cases:

• Children's age (applies only in special cases),
• parasitic and infectious diseases,
• immunodeficiency states,
• diseases of the cardiovascular system,
• pre- and post-vaccination period (8 weeks before and 2 weeks after)
• diseases of an endocrine nature, including diabetes mellitus, stage III and IV obesity and others,
• renal and liver failure,
• hypoalbuminemia,
• osteoporosis,
• myosthenia,
• glaucoma,
• pregnancy,
• acute psychosis,
• gastrointestinal diseases.

Kinetic characteristics of the drug

How does local absorption of the drug "Gemaza" occur? The instructions for use state that the peak concentration of this drug in the tissues of the visual organs is reached after two hours, and after another half a day its traces can be detected in the patient’s blood.

The half-life of recombinant prourokinase is approximately 6 hours. It should be noted that due to the use of small dosages of the drug, it is impossible to achieve its systemic effect.

We suggest that you familiarize yourself with Emergency care for acute purulent conjunctivitis