decadren/dexamethasone

[elleng]

info, experience?

[Warpy]

1. It's a glucocorticoid

in the same general family as cortisone and prenisone. We used it in neuro patients to reduce swelling and inflammation after injuries, surgeries, and with some cancers. It's one of the few drugs to cross the blood brain barrier.

As with any steroid, it can't be stopped suddenly and has to be tapered off. It can provide significant improvement in the patient's level of conscience, comfort and function, but it's a short term improvement strategy while a patient heals or while a tumor progresses.

What a patient will notice is an increase in appetite. There might also be some mood swings, although I saw those far less with Decadron than with other steroid drugs.

Like other steroids, it will increase blood sugar levels in diabetics.

Is this what you were looking for?

[elleng]

2. Yes thanks, Warpy.

Just learned name of 'steroid' my Mom's taking for cervical tumor, and read about effect on 'mood.' This is concerning due to her enhanced dementia evenings; has been somewhat dramatic, and not predictable.

Her appetite certainly has improved! as well as blood sugar levels, which are now addressed by insulin. She's in nursing home.

So you think this is/may be a 'good' prescription?

Thanks a lot!

[Warpy]

3. It's certainly worth a try

which is why they put her on it. The tumor pressing on her spine is causing some swelling and inflammation just from the pressure. Relieving it with Decadron might give her some temporary improvement.

The good news is that eventually the mood swings go away. I've been on Prednisone off and on for 30 years and on a baseline dose for 18 years and it is something people get used to.

[elleng]

4. Thanks again,

Warpy.