Dexamethasone phosphate Kabi
Dexamethasone phosphate Kabi is a synthetic steroid medicine used to treat various conditions that require this type of hormone therapy, such as brain swelling, severe asthma, and certain autoimmune diseases.
Form
injektio-/infuusioneste, liuos
Strength
4 mg/ml
Active Ingredient
Dexamethasone sodium phosphate
Manufacturer
Fresenius Kabi AB
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will decide your specific dose. For adults with COVID-19 and breathing problems, a typical dose is 6 mg given into a vein once a day for up to 10 days.
Method
A doctor or nurse will give you this medicine as an injection into a vein (slowly over 2-3 minutes), a muscle, a joint, or soft tissue.
Important
The maximum daily dose varies greatly depending on your medical condition. Your doctor will determine what is a safe maximum dose for you.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Increased risk of infections, or existing infections getting worse.
- •Changes in blood cell counts (e.g., more white blood cells).
- •Symptoms like a moon face, weight gain around the belly, and flushed face (signs of Cushing's syndrome).
- •Weight gain, high blood sugar, diabetes, high fat levels in blood, swelling (edema), low potassium (which can affect heart rhythm), increased appetite.
- •Mood changes (depression, irritability, feeling overly happy), increased energy, psychosis, mania, hallucinations, emotional instability, anxiety, sleep problems, suicidal thoughts.
- •Increased pressure inside the head, new or worsened seizures (epilepsy).
- •Increased eye pressure (glaucoma), cloudy lens (cataracts), worsening of corneal ulcers, increased risk of eye infections, drooping eyelid, dilated pupils, swelling of the conjunctiva, vision problems, vision loss.
- •High blood pressure, increased risk of hardening of arteries and blood clots, inflammation of blood vessels, increased fragility of blood vessels.
- •Stomach and bowel ulcers, bleeding in the stomach and bowels, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), stomach discomfort, hiccups.
- •Stretch marks, thinning skin, enlarged blood vessels, easy bruising, body hair growth, acne, skin inflammation on the face (especially around mouth, nose, eyes), changes in skin color.
- •Muscle weakness and loss, brittle bones (osteoporosis), tendon problems (inflammation, rupture), fat deposits in the spine, slowed growth in children.
- •Changes in sex hormones (irregular periods or no periods, male-pattern hair growth in women, impotence).
- •Delayed wound healing, local irritation or allergic reactions at the injection site (burning, pain), thinning of skin or tissue at the injection site.
RARE
- •Severe allergic reactions (rash, itching, swelling of hands, feet, face, lips, mouth, or throat making it hard to swallow or breathe), feeling weak or dizzy.
- •Heart muscle thickening in premature babies, which usually goes away after treatment stops.
- •Reversible bulging of the eyeball.
Important Warnings
- Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to dexamethasone or any other ingredients listed in the leaflet.
- This medicine can hide signs of infection, so your doctor will check you carefully. Do not use if you have an untreated infection, including fungal infections.
- Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without talking to your doctor, as it can be dangerous and lead to serious health problems.
- If you have diabetes, your blood sugar levels need to be checked regularly, as the medicine might affect them. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication.
- If you experience significant physical stress (like an accident, surgery, or childbirth) during treatment, your dose might need to be temporarily increased.
Show 4 more warnings
- This medicine can affect your mood and mental health. Tell your doctor if you have a history of mental health problems or feel any new symptoms like depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts.
- Talk to your doctor if you notice swelling and weight gain around your body and face, as these can be signs of a condition called Cushing's syndrome.
- Long-term use can affect your adrenal glands, which produce important hormones. Do not stop treatment without your doctor's advice.
- This medicine can slow down growth in children, so it should only be used if absolutely necessary, and a doctor will monitor their growth regularly.
Use in Elderly Patients
Category C
Suitable for older adults, with specific precautions. Consider the risk of adverse effects of cortisone treatment. (updated 10.11.2025)