User:Mr. Ibrahem/Dexamethasone

Dexamethasone is a type of corticosteroid medication. It is used in the treatment of many conditions, including rheumatic problems, a number of skin diseases, severe allergies, asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease, croup, brain swelling, eye pain following eye surgery, and along with antibiotics in tuberculosis. In adrenocortical insufficiency, it should be used together with a medication that has greater mineralocorticoid effects such as fludrocortisone. In preterm labor, it may be used to improve outcomes in the baby. It may be taken by mouth, as an injection into a muscle, or intravenously. The effects of dexamethasone are frequently seen within a day and last for about three days.

The long-term use may result in thrush, bone loss, cataracts, easy bruising, or muscle weakness. It has been frequently used by mouth in pregnancy and not been found to cause problems for the baby. It should not be taken when breastfeeding. Dexamethasone has anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant effects.

Dexamethasone was first made in 1957 and was approved for medical use in 1961. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. Dexamethasone is not expensive. In the United States, a month of medication typically costs less than US$25. In India, a course of treatment for preterm labor costs about US$0.5. It is available in most areas of the world. In 2017, it was the 321st most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than one million prescriptions.