Dexamethasone Tablets: Addison's Treatment Guide

Dexamethasone Tablets (Decadron Generic) Treat Addison's Disease, Arthritis, Allergies, and Cancers in Dogs and Cats

By Team PetCareRx.

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  • General Allergies
  • Arthritis (Osteoarthritis)
  • Addison's Disease

Dexamethasone

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indications for Dexamethasone

Dexamethasone for dogs and cats is an anti-inflammatory steroid for the management of certain inflammatory diseases in animals. The medication is a corticosteroid, an active remedy for treating Addison’s disease, autoimmune conditions, inflammation related to arthritis, and even allergies and cancers in dogs and cats. It is also used for kidney related diseases as well as in conditions such as brain swelling. The active ingredient in the drug is dexamethasone, which is a hormone that supplements the immune and inflammatory systems in the animal. Dexamethasone is a prescription drug and can be obtained as injection or scored unflavored tablets.

Precautions

As is true for any other medication, dexamethasone should not be used in animals that are hypersensitive to the drug. Care must be taken when using the medicine in animals that are already suffering from certain inner-organ complaints, diabetes, or such other disorders. Also, use with caution when given with other medications, since dexamethasone is reported to cause reactions when in certain combinations. Given in overdose, the animal will suffer from Cushingoid symptoms, extreme hunger, thirst, and abnormality in urination. Moreover when prescribed for long term therapy, it would be unhealthy for the animal if the medication is stopped abruptly. This might lead to Addison’s disease with symptoms like vomiting, lethargy, etc.

Dosage

As dexamethasone is applicable in treating a variety of conditions, the disease, its severity, and the response to the medication are the factors that are to be considered while deciding the dosage. Consult your veterinarian about the dosage to be administered for the condition that is being treated.

Brand/Generic equivalents

Decadron (Merck), Azium (Schering Plough)

Side Effects

The medication can bring about adverse reactions in some animals, like loss of appetite, increased thirst, abnormal urination, lethargy, etc. However, the possibility of side effects can be reduced by consulting a veterinarian and modifying the dose and its frequency.

Dexamethasone

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Dexamethasone at a glance

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  • 1For dogs and cats
  • 2An anti-inflammatory steroid medication
  • 3An oral medication
  • 4Treats Addison’s disease, autoimmune conditions, arthritis, allergies, cancers, and more

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