MDose · Veterinary drug reference
DEXAMETHASONE
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Source overview
Recorded excerpts for one species. Each dose remains a separate source entry; no regimen is selected.
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Pending clinical review (PROPOSED)Rule-based (RULE_BASED)— applies to the facts and dose entries in this species selection; individual source records retain their own status.
Indications2
Anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, diagnostic (ACTH suppression testing)
DogCatExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 367–369; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 217–219 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, diagnostic (ACTH suppression testing) — Extra-label
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 367–369; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 217–219 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, diagnostic (ACTH suppression testing) — Extra-label
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 367–369; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 217–219 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dose regimens11
This calculator performs arithmetic only on the sourced dosing field shown for each result — it does not verify the field's accuracy, does not select which field to use for a patient, and does not replace a veterinarian's order. Not for clinical use. Confirm every result against the primary source before dispensing.
Choose one species above to view its dose calculator.
Adverse effects204
PU/PD/PP, GI ulceration, hepatopathy — With sustained use
DogCatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 367–369; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 217–219 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 367–369; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 217–219 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
GI bleeding/colonic perforation — Documented risk in canine neurosurgical/spinal patients given high-dose dexamethasone
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 367–369; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 217–219 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Hypotension, hemolysis, collapse (rapid IV of PEG-based solution) — Avoidable with slow administration/correct formulation
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 367–369; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 217–219 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
These are counts of spontaneously reported events, not proven adverse effects, causal relationships, or incidence rates.
Bars compare report counts within each species; they do not show incidence.
More reportsFewer reportsDog
- Vomiting966 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')616 reports
- Diarrhoea412 reports
- Anaphylaxis365 reports
- Death337 reports
- Other abnormal test result NOS308 reports
- Death by euthanasia302 reports
- Anorexia301 reports
- Pale mucous membrane278 reports
- Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT)275 reports
- Leucocytosis NOS243 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in Neurological)242 reports
Cat
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')275 reports
- Vomiting254 reports
- Anorexia202 reports
- Death by euthanasia158 reports
- Ataxia155 reports
- Death140 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in Neurological)139 reports
- Not eating137 reports
- Fever135 reports
- Weight loss130 reports
- Other abnormal test result NOS124 reports
- Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT)118 reports
Monitoring1
Clinical signs, liver enzymes, glucose, electrolytes; GI signs specifically given bleeding/perforation risk in high-dose/spinal patients
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 367–369; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 217–219 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Contraindications1
Systemic fungal infection (unless Addison's replacement); IM in idiopathic thrombocytopenia
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 367–369; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 217–219 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Precautions4
Diabetic/cardiovascular-risk patients (potent hyperglycemic effect); causes more GI complications/bleeding than prednisone — prefer prednisone/prednisolone when high-dose steroid needed unless dexamethasone specifically indicated
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 367–369; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 217–219 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Documented higher risk of GI bleeding and colonic perforation than prednisone/prednisolone in canine neurosurgical/spinal cord trauma patients — limit dose and duration in these cases, or use prednisone/prednisolone instead where clinically appropriate.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 367–369; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 217–219 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Current evidence does not support high-dose "shock dose" steroids for CNS trauma, spinal injury, or septic shock — avoid this outdated practice.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 367–369; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 217–219 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Confirm which formulation (sodium phosphate vs. PEG-based solution) is on hand before choosing IV administration.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 367–369; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 217–219 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Interactions6
NSAIDs — ↑ GI ulceration/bleeding risk — avoid combination
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 367–369; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 217–219 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Ketoconazole, azole antifungals, macrolides — ↓ dexamethasone metabolism, ↑ levels
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 367–369; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 217–219 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampin — ↑ dexamethasone metabolism, ↓ levels
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 367–369; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 217–219 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Cyclosporine — Mutual ↑ blood levels
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 367–369; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 217–219 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Insulin — ↑ requirement
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 367–369; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 217–219 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pharmacokinetics3
Potency — ~30x hydrocortisone; negligible mineralocorticoid activity
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 367–369; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 217–219 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Half-life — ~2–5h (plasma)
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 367–369; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 217–219 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Metabolism — Hepatic
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 367–369; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 217–219 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pregnancy / lactation considerations1
May induce parturition in large animals late in pregnancy. Papich class C — use cautiously.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 367–369; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 217–219 — Pregnancy & Lactation · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Literature references14
References are linked to this drug. Species applicability is not recorded here, so the species filter does not narrow this list. Imported dates do not retain their original precision; confirm dates in the original citation.
- Loss of LCN2 Function Ameliorates Glucocorticoid-Induced Muscle Atrophy via Remodeling the Extracellular Matrix.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Chronic corticosterone exposure disrupts bile acids homeostasis associated with circadian dysfunction in the liver of chickens.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Effectiveness of Ginsenoside Rh2 Treatment in Mice Experimentally Infected With Cryptosporidium parvum.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Effects of diarrhea and antibiotic-induced microbial elimination on dynamic changes in fecal microbial communities and antibiotic resistance of Hu sheep lambs (Ovis aries).
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- A novel bovine viral vaccine for reproductive safety and performance in cattle.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
Sources: PubMed, National Library of Medicine; openFDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. 7th ed. PharmaVet Inc; 2011.
Owner information handout
Plain-language medication information to review with the owner. Open the handout to print it or download a PDF.
Available products
Products listed in the Health Canada Drug Product Database for this active ingredient. A listing does not establish that a product is authorized for the clinical uses described on this page.