Dexamethasone - Kent Pharma

For the prophylaxis of asthma.
• Over 12 years: 160 micrograms once daily; reduced to 80 micrograms once daily, if control maintained; increased if necessary up to 320 micrograms twice daily, in severe asthma.

Budelin Novoliser for prophylaxis of asthma by inhalation of powder
• Adult: 200–800 mcg twice daily
Budelin Novoliser as an alternative in mild to moderate asthma by inhalation of powder, for patients previously stabilised on a twice-daily dose
• Adult: 200–400 mcg once daily to be taken in the evening. Maximum per dose 800 mcg.

For allergic rhinitis
• Over 12 years: one spray twice daily, dose to be administered into each nostril.

For the treatment of anaphylaxis and asthma.

By intravenous injection for acute hypersensitivity reactions
• Adult: 100–300 mg, to be administered as sodium succinate.

By intramuscular injection, or by intravenous injection for acute hypersensitivity reactions
• Child 1–5 months: initially 25 mg three times a day, adjust according to response.
• Child 6 months–5 years: initially 50 mg three times a day, adjust according to response.
• Child 6–11 years: initially 100 mg three times a day, adjust according to response.
• Child 12–17 years: initially 200 mg three times a day, adjust according to response.

By intravenous injection for severe acute asthma
• Child 1 month–1 year: 4 mg/kg every six hours. Maximum per dose 100 mg. Alternatively 25 mg every six hours until conversion to oral prednisolone. Preferably administer as sodium succinate.
• Child 2–4 years: 4 mg/kg every six hours. Maximum per dose 100 mg. Alternatively 50 mg every six hours until conversion to oral prednisolone. Preferably administer as sodium succinate.
• Child 5–11 years: 4 mg/kg every six hours. Maximum per dose 100 mg. Alternatively 100 mg every six hours until conversion to oral prednisolone. Preferably administer as sodium succinate.
• Child 12–17 years: 4 mg/kg every six hours. Maximum per dose 100 mg. Alternatively 100 mg every six hours until conversion to oral prednisolone. Preferably administer as sodium succinate.
• Adult: 100 mg every six hours until conversion to oral prednisolone. Preferably administer as sodium succinate.

For the treatment of anaphylaxis and asthma.

By intravenous injection for acute hypersensitivity reactions
• Adult: 100–300 mg, to be administered as sodium succinate.

By intramuscular injection, or by intravenous injection for acute hypersensitivity reactions
• Child 1–5 months: initially 25 mg three times a day, adjust according to response.
• Child 6 months–5 years: initially 50 mg three times a day, adjust according to response.
• Child 6–11 years: initially 100 mg three times a day, adjust according to response.
• Child 12–17 years: initially 200 mg three times a day, adjust according to response.

By intravenous injection for severe acute asthma
• Child 1 month–1 year: 4 mg/kg every six hours. Maximum per dose 100 mg. Alternatively 25 mg every six hours until conversion to oral prednisolone. Preferably administer as sodium succinate.
• Child 2–4 years: 4 mg/kg every six hours. Maximum per dose 100 mg. Alternatively 50 mg every six hours until conversion to oral prednisolone. Preferably administer as sodium succinate.
• Child 5–11 years: 4 mg/kg every six hours. Maximum per dose 100 mg. Alternatively 100 mg every six hours until conversion to oral prednisolone. Preferably administer as sodium succinate.
• Child 12–17 years: 4 mg/kg every six hours. Maximum per dose 100 mg. Alternatively 100 mg every six hours until conversion to oral prednisolone. Preferably administer as sodium succinate.
• Adult: 100 mg every six hours until conversion to oral prednisolone. Preferably administer as sodium succinate.

By mouth for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Adult: 30 mg daily for 7–14 days.

By mouth for severe croup or mild croup that might cause complications (before transfer to hospital)
• Child: 1–2 mg/kg.

By mouth for mild to moderate acute asthma or severe or life-threatening asthma when oral corticosteroids have been taken for a few days
• Child 1 month–11 years: 2 mg/kg once daily (maximum dose 60 mg) for up to three days, longer if necessary.

By mouth for mild to moderate acute asthma or severe or life-threatening asthma
• Child 1 month–11 years: 1–2 mg/kg once daily (maximum dose 40 mg) for up to three days, longer if necessary.
• Over 12 years: 40–50 mg daily for at least five days.

By mouth for suppression of inflammatory and allergic disorders
• Adult: initially 10–20 mg daily, preferably taken in the morning after food. Can often be reduced after a few days but may need to be continued for a few weeks or months. Maintenance 2.5–15 mg daily. Cushingoid side-effects increase in likelihood with doses of over 7.5 mg daily.

By mouth for suppression of inflammatory and allergic disorders (initial dose in severe disease)
• Adult: initially up to 60 mg daily, dose preferably taken in the morning after food. Can often be reduced within a few days but may need to be continued for a few weeks or months.

By mouth for Covid-19 requiring supplementary oxygen
• Adult: 40 mg daily, for 10 days or until the day of discharge, whichever is sooner. 

Suppression of inflammatory and allergic disorders by mouth
• Child: 10–100 mcg/kg daily in 1–2 divided doses.
• Adult: 0.5–10 mg daily.

Mild croup by mouth
Child: 150 mcg/kg for 1 dose

Severe croup by mouth
Child: initially 150 mcg/kg before transfer to hospital, then an additional dose, then another after 12 hours if required.

Dyspnoea due to bronchospasm or partial obstruction in palliative care
Adult: 4–8 mg daily.

Suppression of inflammatory and allergic disorders by mouth
• Child: 10–100 mcg/kg daily in 1 or 2 divided doses. Up to 300 mcg/kg can be given in emergency situations. 
• Adult: 0.5–10 mg daily.

Mild croup by mouth
• Child: 150 mcg/kg for 1 dose.

Severe croup by mouth
• Child: initially 150 mcg/kg before transfer to hospital, then an additional dose, then another after 12 hours if required.

Dyspnoea due to bronchospasm or partial obstruction in palliative care
• Adult: 4–8 mg daily.

Covid-19 requiring supplemental oxygen
• Child: 150 mcg/kg once daily (max. per dose 6 mg) for 10 days, or until the day of discharge if this is sooner.
• Adult: 6 mg once daily for 10 days, or until the day of discharge if this is sooner.

Suppression of inflammatory and allergic disorders by mouth
• Child: 10–100 mcg/kg daily in 1–2 divided doses.
• Adult: 0.5–10 mg daily.

Mild croup by mouth
Child: 150 mcg/kg for 1 dose

Severe croup by mouth
Child: initially 150 mcg/kg before transfer to hospital, then an additional dose, then another after 12 hours if required.

Dyspnoea due to bronchospasm or partial obstruction in palliative care
Adult: 4–8 mg daily.

Suppression of inflammatory and allergic disorders by mouth
• Child: 10–100 mcg/kg daily in 1–2 divided doses.
• Adult: 0.5–10 mg daily.

Mild croup by mouth
Child: 150 mcg/kg for 1 dose

Severe croup by mouth
Child: initially 150 mcg/kg before transfer to hospital, then an additional dose, then another after 12 hours if required.

Dyspnoea due to bronchospasm or partial obstruction in palliative care
Adult: 4–8 mg daily.

Suppression of inflammatory and allergic disorders by mouth
• Child: 10–100 mcg/kg daily in 1–2 divided doses.
• Adult: 0.5–10 mg daily.

Mild croup by mouth
Child: 150 mcg/kg for 1 dose

Severe croup by mouth
Child: initially 150 mcg/kg before transfer to hospital, then an additional dose, then another after 12 hours if required.

Dyspnoea due to bronchospasm or partial obstruction in palliative care
Adult: 4–8 mg daily.

Suppression of inflammatory and allergic disorders by mouth
• Child: 10–100 mcg/kg daily in 1–2 divided doses.
• Adult: 0.5–10 mg daily.

Mild croup by mouth
Child: 150 mcg/kg for 1 dose

Severe croup by mouth
Child: initially 150 mcg/kg before transfer to hospital, then an additional dose, then another after 12 hours if required.

Dyspnoea due to bronchospasm or partial obstruction in palliative care
Adult: 4–8 mg daily.