What it means
A man-made steroid much stronger than the body's own cortisolKOR-tih-solA steroid hormone made by the adrenal glands that helps control blood sugar, blood pressure, stress and inflammation.Full entry . It is used for brain swelling, severe allergic reactions and inflammation, croup in children, nausea from chemotherapy, some cancers, and to help an unborn baby's lungs mature before an early birth. It comes as tablets, liquid, injection and eye drops. Side effects include high blood sugar, a higher risk of infection, trouble sleeping, mood changes and stomach upset.
For the nurse
Give oral doses with food, and in the morning when possible. Check blood glucose, especially in clients with diabetes. After more than a short course, it must be tapered, not stopped suddenly, because the body's own steroid production is switched off.
At a glance
| Drug class | corticosteroid (glucocorticoid) |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Decadron, Hemady |
| Spanish | dexametasona |
| Also written | Decadron, Hemady |
Related terms
corticosteroid
A drug that acts like the hormones of the adrenal glands, used mainly to calm inflammation and the immune system.
cortisol
A steroid hormone made by the adrenal glands that helps control blood sugar, blood pressure, stress and inflammation.
adrenal cortex
The outer layer of each adrenal gland, which makes the steroid hormones cortisol and aldosterone.