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Inflammation is associated with many ailments. In the case of serious diseases, it is necessary to use appropriate preparations with a strong effect. One of them is Dexaven, a prescription drug.
Dexaven – composition
Dexaven is a medicine that is a solution for injection. It contains dexamethasone – an active substance with long-lasting anti-inflammatory, antiallergic and immunosuppressive effects. For this reason, it is widely used in dermatology, oncology, as well as neurology and venereology.
Dexaven – action
Dexaven is a drug that works only symptomatically – it eliminates inflammation without affecting the causes of the problem. Responsible for suppressing the production of steroid hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex.
The speed of action depends primarily on the method of administration. The maximum concentration of dexamethasone in the blood is obtained:
- in the case of intravenous injections – after 30 minutes
- in the case of intramuscular injections – after 60 minutes.
Dexaven – leaflet
When it comes to Dexaven, the leaflet tells you not only about the dosage, but also about possible side effects.
The dosage of the drug is determined by the doctor – depending on the indications and the stage of the disease. It is important not to inject in the period before and after immunization (8 weeks before and 2 weeks after).
The Dexaven leaflet informs about side effects, which can include, among others: symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome, cataracts, glaucoma, osteoporosis, gastric ulceration, balance disorders, high blood pressure, vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite, constipation and flatulence.
In addition, in the case of women, problems in the gynecological sphere were noted, manifested by menstrual disorders, and children had a negative impact on growth.
Side effects may be more severe in the elderly, especially in patients with diseases such as: osteoporosis, hypertension, hypokalaemia, diabetes, susceptibility to infections, thinning of the skin.
The package leaflet of Dexaven contained information that so far no symptoms of overdose that would endanger the health and life of the patient have been observed. This is because too much of the drug administered as a solution for injection has been ingested relatively rarely.
Dexaven – indications and contraindications
As the leaflet informs, Dexaven is a drug administered to patients struggling with autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus erythematosus. It is also used in the event of symptoms of anaphylactic shock, infections with cerebral and circulatory complications.
Due to its anti-inflammatory effect, it is administered to people who experience allergic reactions. It is also given to patients during chemotherapy and radiation therapy to prevent vomiting, nausea and other complications of cancer therapy and after surgery.
The main contraindications include:
- hypersensitivity to any component of the drug;
- pregnancy and breast-feeding (in high doses or in the long term, the drug may have a negative effect on the developing fetus, as corticosteroids may increase the risk of delay in intrauterine development in the child);
- untreated systemic infections.
It should be added that in some people certain ways of administering Dexaven are not recommended. Applies to:
- intramuscular injection – in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura;
- intraarticular administration – in the case of an infection requiring treatment involving a joint or its immediate vicinity, bacterial arthritis, joint instability requiring treatment, periarticular calcification, extravascular bone necrosis, tendon rupture, Charcot’s joint, hemorrhagic diathesis;
- infiltration – in the case of infections at the application site, if no concurrent causal treatment is carried out.
It is worth remembering that Dexaven can be used in any case – as long as the drug is administered in life-threatening conditions. The treatment, however, should not last longer than 2-3 days.
See also: Chemotherapy and its effects on the body
Dexaven – drug discontinuation
You should know that you should exercise extreme caution when stopping treatment with Dexaven. This is because the withdrawal of glucocorticoids must be gradual, as radical treatment discontinuation may be associated with acute adrenal insufficiency. Occasionally, some patients have experienced an increase in intraocular pressure and the associated target after discontinuation of Dexaven.
In addition, symptoms of withdrawal syndrome that may endanger health and even life of the patient have been observed in some patients taking the drug for a long time after abrupt cessation of therapy. The most mild symptoms after treatment discontinuation were: muscle and joint pain, fever, conjunctivitis, rhinitis, weight loss, and painful skin lumps.
Dexaven – precautions
Due to its corticosteroid content, Dexaven may interfere with skin allergy tests and cause serious allergic reactions including: glottis edema, hives and bronchospasm.
In addition, the drug may cause mental disorders including: euphoria, changes in mood and personality, severe depression, psychotic symptoms, and insomnia. Tell your doctor about past or close relatives: emotional lability, psychotic tendencies or a history of illnesses such as depression or manic depressive syndrome, as these symptoms may be aggravated by Dexaven.
The solution contains sodium sulphite, which may cause rare severe allergic reactions and bronchospasm.
It should be borne in mind that drugs from the group of glucocorticosteroids may reduce the body’s immunity. You should not be vaccinated while you are taking Dexaven – antibody production may not be normal.
Dexaven reviews
As for Dexaven, opinions about this drug are very diverse. Many people complain of a marked decrease in immunity after taking this corticosteroid. Some patients, however, notice a significant improvement in their health, recommending the use of preparations that protect the stomach.