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. Developed in 1957, it is structurally similar to other corticosteroids like hydrocortisone and prednisolone.
Dexamethasone was granted FDA approval on 30 October 1958. In a press release for the Randomized Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy (RECOVERY) trial on 16 June 2020, dexamethasone was recommended for use in COVID-19 patients with severe respiratory symptoms. Dexamethasone reduced deaths by approximately one third in patients requiring ventilation and by one fifth in those requiring oxygen.
Dexamethasone and ciprofloxacin otic suspension is indicated for bacterial infections with inflammation in acute otitis media and acute otitis externa. Intramuscular and intravenous injections are indicated for a number of endocrine, rheumatic, collagen, dermatologic, allergic, ophthalmic, gastrointestinal, respiratory, hematologic, neoplastic, edematous, and other conditions. Oral tablets are indicated for the treatment of multiple myeloma. An intravitreal implant is indicated for some forms of macular edema and non-infectious posterior uveitis affecting the posterior of the eye. Various ophthalmic formulations are indicated for inflammatory conditions of the eye.
Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
FirstHealth of the Carolinas-Moore Regional Hospital, Pinehurst, North Carolina, United States
Palo Alto Medical Foundation-Gynecologic Oncology, Mountain View, California, United States
Carle Physician Group-Mattoon/Charleston, Mattoon, Illinois, United States
Mayo Clinic in Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona, United States
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Commack, Commack, New York, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Westchester, Harrison, New York, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Nassau, Uniondale, New York, United States
Fondazione EMN Italy Onlus, Torino, Italy
Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
San Antonio Military Medical Center, Ft. Sam Houston, Texas, United States
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
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