Dexamethasone: Side Effects, Uses & Monitoring

Labeled uses

A. Intravenous or intramuscular administration. When oral therapy is not feasible and the strength, dosage form, and route of administration of the drug reasonably lend the preparation to the treatment of the condition, those products labeled for intravenous or intramuscular use are indicated as follows: 1. Endocrine disorders. Primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency (hydrocortisone or cortisone is the drug of choice; synthetic analogs may be used in conjunction with mineralocorticoids where applicable; in infancy, mineralocorticoid supplementation is of particular importance).   Acute adrenocortical insufficiency (hydrocortisone or cortisone is the drug of choice; mineralocorticoid supplementation may be necessary, particularly when synthetic analogs are used).   Preoperatively, and in the event of serious trauma or illness, in patients with known adrenal insufficiency or when adrenocortical reserve is doubtful.   Shock unresponsive to conventional therapy if adrenocortical insufficiency exists or is suspected.   Congenital adrenal hyperplasia.   Nonsuppurative thyroiditis.   Hypercalcemia associated with cancer. 2. Rheumatic disorders. As adjunctive therapy for short-te…