Dexamethasone
DecadronPubChem CID 5743 · 3D model
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A high-potency steroid that calms inflammation and the immune system through receptors inside cells, with little of the salt-and-water-retaining effect seen with some other steroids.
How it works
Dexamethasone works the same basic way as other steroids: it enters cells, attaches to a receptor, and travels to the nucleus, where it changes which genes are active, turning down the body's production of inflammation-causing chemicals. It's much stronger, dose for dose, than hydrocortisone and stays in the body longer. Unlike some other steroids, it barely affects the body's salt and water balance, so it doesn't cause the puffiness and fluid retention that can come with other corticosteroids. That makes it a good choice for situations needing strong, longer-lasting anti-inflammatory action without much fluid buildup.
What it’s used for
Dexamethasone is used for the same broad list of conditions as other steroids: hormone and adrenal gland problems, flare-ups of joint and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, and severe skin, allergic, or eye inflammation. It also treats certain lung conditions, blood disorders where the immune system destroys blood cells, some cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, fluid buildup from kidney disease, and flare-ups of inflammatory bowel disease. It's also used as part of a diagnostic test that checks whether the adrenal glands are producing too much cortisol.
- Mechanism
- Glucocorticoid receptor agonist (corticosteroid)
- Drug class
- Small molecule
- Therapeutic area
- Endocrine / Anti-inflammatory