Generic Name for Decadron
The generic name for Decadron is dexamethasone. 1
Pharmaceutical Details
- Dexamethasone is a synthetic, long-acting corticosteroid with potency approximately 25 times greater than short-acting products like hydrocortisone 2
- The specific formulation in Decadron injection is dexamethasone sodium phosphate, which is freely soluble in water and supplied as a sterile solution 1
- Each milliliter of Decadron injection contains 4.4 mg of dexamethasone sodium phosphate, equivalent to 4 mg of dexamethasone phosphate 1
Clinical Context
- Dexamethasone has been widely used in medicine for approximately 50 years to treat numerous conditions including autoimmune diseases, allergies, ocular disorders, cancer, and cerebral edema 2, 3
- In oncology settings, dexamethasone (abbreviated as "dex") is a cornerstone antiemetic agent used in combination regimens for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting 4
- For high emetic risk chemotherapy, dexamethasone is typically dosed at 12 mg on day 1, followed by 8 mg daily on days 2-4 5
- For moderate emetic risk chemotherapy, the recommended dose is 8 mg on day 1, followed by 8 mg daily on days 2-3 5
Administration Equivalence
- Oral and intravenous dexamethasone are equivalent with a 1:1 conversion ratio, allowing flexible route selection based on patient needs 5, 6
- When administered intravenously, dexamethasone should be given slowly over several minutes to avoid perineal burning; if this occurs, the infusion should be slowed or temporarily paused 7, 6