Dexamethasone is a glucocorticoid available in various modes of administration that is used for the treatment of various inflammatory conditions, including bronchial asthma, as well as endocrine and rheumatic disorders. Dexamethasone, or MK-125, is a corticosteroid fluorinated at position 9 used to treat endocrine, rheumatic, collagen, dermatologic, allergic, ophthalmic, gastrointestinal, respiratory, hematologic, neoplastic, edematous, and other conditions.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 5 references
The short term effects of corticosteroids are decreased vasodilation and permeability of capillaries, as well as decreased leukocyte migration to sites of inflammation. Corticosteroids binding to the glucocorticoid receptor mediates changes in gene expression that lead to multiple downstream effects over hours to days.
Glucocorticoids inhibit neutrophil apoptosis and demargination; they inhibit phospholipase A2, which decreases the formation of arachidonic acid derivatives; they inhibit NF-Kappa B and other inflammatory transcription factors; they promote anti-inflammatory genes like interleukin-10.
Lower doses of corticosteroids provide an anti-inflammatory effect, while higher doses are immunosuppressive. High doses of glucocorticoids for an extended period bind to the mineralocorticoid receptor, raising sodium levels and decreasing potassium levels.
- Primary indication
- Dexamethasone and ciprofloxacin otic suspension is indicated for bacterial infections with inflammation in acute otitis media and acute otitis externa.Curator reviewed · 123 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C22H29FO5 · 392.4611 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 1999 · United States, 1958 · European Union, 2016
- Also known as
- Dexametasone · dexamethason · Dexamethazone · dexamethosone · Hexadecadrol
- Code names
- ISV-305 · NSC-34521 · OTO-104
- Brand names
Resolves to
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Which drugs share a target with Dexamethasone, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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