Dexamethasone Injection

Dexamethasone Injection

Dexamethasone is a cortisone-like medicine used to treat inflammatory conditions involving the joints and to treat nonspecific skin conditions.

Horses

Dexamethasone

Dexasone®

Glucocorticoid

Dexamethasone 2 mg/ml 100 ml: colorless solution (Manufacturer Phoenix: NDC 57319-0065-01)

Dexamethasone 4 mg/ml 100 ml: colorless solution (Manufacturer Bimeda: NDC 61133-0892-09)

Dexamethasone

Dexamethasone Injection should be administered directed by your veterinarian. Measure the dose with reasonable care. Use aseptic techniques when withdrawing each dose to decrease the possibility of post-injection bacterial infections. Adequately clean and disinfect the stopper prior to entry with a sterile needle and syringe. Injectable medications require needles and syringes.  Those items are purchased separately.  Please ask your veterinarian for a recommendation for the correct needle/syringe sizes for your pet. Use only sterile needles/syringes and use each needle/syringe only once. Dispose the needle/syringe immediately in a proper sharps disposal container. Sharps containers are sold separately.

Give the dose as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose, and continue with the regular schedule. Do not give 2 doses at once.

Side effects may include excessive thirst, excessive urination, excessive ingestion of food, rapid breathing, drowsiness, weakness, hair loss, weight loss, lack of appetite, diarrhea. If these effects continue and become troublesome, contact your veterinarian.

Other side effects may occur. If you notice anything unusual, contact your veterinarian.

The following lists examples of medicines that can potentially interact with dexamethasone: bacteriostatic antibiotics, amphotericin B, furosemide, thiazide diuretics, salicylates, phenytoin, phenobarbital, rifampin, insulin, cyclosporine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, estrogens, and mitotane. Live attenuated-virus vaccines should generally not be given to animals receiving dexamethasone. Contact your veterinarian if your horse experiences any unusual reactions when different medications are given together.

Make sure to tell your veterinarian what other medication you are giving to your horse. Quite often your veterinarian may prescribe two different medications, and a drug interaction may be anticipated. In this case, your veterinarian may vary the dose and/or monitor your horse more closely. 

This medication does not have an FDA approved indication for use in animals,  but it is a  common and acceptable practice for veterinarians to prescribe this human medication for use in animals.

Allergic reactions to medications may occur. Be sure to inform VetSource and your veterinarian if your horse has any known drug sensitivities or allergies. If your horse displays symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your veterinarian immediately or go to a veterinary emergency clinic. Symptoms may include but are not limited to: swollen lips, tongue, face, airways; difficulty breathing; agitation; profuse salivation; widespread hives and itching.

If you are concerned that your pet has experienced an adverse reaction to this medication, please contact Vetsource customer service at 877-738-4443.

Store at 59°F to 86°F in controlled room temperature. Protect from freezing. Keep this medicine out of reach of children. Store in a childproof container. Store this medicine in a cool, dry place at room temperature. Store away from heat and direct sunlight. Do not store this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink or in damp places. The medicine may break down if exposed to heat or moisture.