Dexamethasone is an active substance that is produced artificially and falls into the large group of so-called glucocorticoids. Dexamethasone can be used to treat a number of conditions, including having an anti-inflammatory effect.
What is dexamethasone?
In its artificial variant, dexamethasone has, among other things, the function of inhibiting inflammation as well as the immune system. The active ingredient is frequently used in the common disease rheumatism. The active ingredient dexamethasone is a glucocorticoid that is produced in its natural form in the adrenal cortex and has a variety of regulatory functions in the body. In its artificial variant, dexamethasone has, among other things, the function of inhibiting inflammation as well as the immune system. The properties of dexamethasone also include the fact that the active ingredient has a potency that is about 25 times greater than that of naturally formed hormones. If one takes the active ingredient dexamethasone, it usually has a reducing effect on the production rate in the area of the adrenal cortex. This is an interaction that can be used very well, especially in the field of diagnostics, so dexamethasone as an active ingredient is very helpful here.
Pharmacological effect
The most commonly used effect of dexamethasone is that existing inflammation can be inhibited. In addition, the drug also has the property that the immune system is also inhibited to a significant extent in its function. This effect is particularly desirable in diseases where an overly active immune system is not beneficial. Another effect on the body is that dexamethasone can lead to the stabilization of cell walls. This in turn can have a positive effect in the form of alleviating various symptoms that occur in the course of allergic reactions. On the gastrointestinal tract, dexamethasone also has a positive effect, because the active ingredient can help to alleviate various problems in this area, such as nausea or vomiting. Thus, there are various effects on the organism that are achieved by dexamethasone.
Medical application and use
Because of the wide variety of functions that natural dexamethasone has in the human body, the active ingredient in its artificial version can be used in a very wide variety of ways. One area of application, for example, is increased intracranial pressure, which is due to cerebral edema. The resulting water retention can be reduced by the active ingredient. Dexamethasone can also have a good effect on bacterial inflammations in the area of the brain, such as meningitis. An important area of application is also relatively severe allergic reactions, which can extend to allergic shock. The active ingredient is also frequently used in the widespread disease rheumatism, especially in phases of acute inflammatory episodes. Dexamethasone is also used for certain eye inflammations and severe skin diseases, including psoriasis. The active ingredient can also be used for existing nerve compressions, which also applies to inflammatory diseases of the joints. The areas of application of dexamethasone are therefore very diverse, so that the active substance can be used in many areas.
Risks and side effects
Like almost every active ingredient, dexamethasone also has, in addition to the desired effect, equally undesirable side effects that can occur in some patients. One of these undesirable side effects, which fortunately occurs comparatively rarely, is the development or increased progression of osteoporosis]. In addition, blood glucose fluctuations may occur, which in most cases manifest as an increase in blood glucose levels. Due to the fact that dexamethasone inhibits the immune system, among other things, susceptibility to infections increases significantly. Other side effects that can also occur include an increased appetite (hyperorexia). Particularly if the active ingredient is used for a relatively long time, symptoms similar to those of Cushing’s syndrome may also occur. The extent to which the possible side effects occur depends, among other things, on the dosage and, above all, on the period over which the active ingredient dexamethasone is used.Therefore, no general statement can be made regarding the frequency and severity of side effects of dexamethasone.
