HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Decadron

Gina · 02-18-2006, 07:20 PM

is that Decadron is a steroid...for a longer answer see a pretty decent layman's description below:

Decadron

Decadron is an steroid and it comes in Intravenous as well as oral tablets. Intravenous form is used for immediate action and result and tablets are used to maintain the effect of Decadron. Decadron is used in a variety of situations in cancer patients:

Anti Nausea and Vomiting: One dose of Decadron is used prior to chemotherapy, normally along with Zofran, and is given intravenously.

Anti inflammatory: Decadron is also used in patients who suffer from Brain Metastasis or Spinal cord compression. In these situations, Decadron reduces the swelling of the normal tissues around the cancer site and helps in controlling the symptoms. Same effect is also seen in patients with Superior Vena Cava syndrome as well as in patients with Head and Neck cancers who have difficulty breathing.

Anticancer effect: Decadron is an active drug and a major part of treatment regimes ABVD and VAD used in management of certain cancers such as Hodgkin's Disease and Multiple Myeloma. Decadron by itself is a very active drug in management of Multiple Myeloma.

Side effects:

Side effect profile of Decadron is almost the same as other steroids. The degree and severity of the side effects depend on the amount and schedule of the administration of steroids. Following are some of the most common and important ill effects that are most seen with the long-term use of steroids. If used for a short period of time, they are normally well tolerated.

<LI class=MsoNormal>Irritation of stomach, stomach ulcer. Most steroids are given with an anti-ulcer medicine.

<LI class=MsoNormal>High blood sugar

<LI class=MsoNormal>High blood pressure

<LI class=MsoNormal>Osteoporosis
Fluid retention

It is imperative that patients relay any side effects or problems to their medical oncologists.

Take care,
Gina

02-18-2006, 07:20 PM	#2
Gina Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 197	The short answer.... is that Decadron is a steroid...for a longer answer see a pretty decent layman's description below: Decadron Decadron is an steroid and it comes in Intravenous as well as oral tablets. Intravenous form is used for immediate action and result and tablets are used to maintain the effect of Decadron. Decadron is used in a variety of situations in cancer patients: Anti Nausea and Vomiting: One dose of Decadron is used prior to chemotherapy, normally along with Zofran, and is given intravenously. Anti inflammatory: Decadron is also used in patients who suffer from Brain Metastasis or Spinal cord compression. In these situations, Decadron reduces the swelling of the normal tissues around the cancer site and helps in controlling the symptoms. Same effect is also seen in patients with Superior Vena Cava syndrome as well as in patients with Head and Neck cancers who have difficulty breathing. Anticancer effect: Decadron is an active drug and a major part of treatment regimes ABVD and VAD used in management of certain cancers such as Hodgkin's Disease and Multiple Myeloma. Decadron by itself is a very active drug in management of Multiple Myeloma. Side effects: Side effect profile of Decadron is almost the same as other steroids. The degree and severity of the side effects depend on the amount and schedule of the administration of steroids. Following are some of the most common and important ill effects that are most seen with the long-term use of steroids. If used for a short period of time, they are normally well tolerated. <LI class=MsoNormal>Irritation of stomach, stomach ulcer. Most steroids are given with an anti-ulcer medicine. <LI class=MsoNormal>High blood sugar <LI class=MsoNormal>High blood pressure <LI class=MsoNormal>Osteoporosis Fluid retention It is imperative that patients relay any side effects or problems to their medical oncologists. Take care, Gina