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Dexamethasone for Treatment of Pediatric Asthma

Guidelines published by the National Institutes of Health recommend using corticosteroids to treat asthma symptoms following asthma exacerbation. Corticosteroids work by reducing inflammation in the airways, which improves peak expiratory flow rate. Dexamethasone is one corticosteroid used to treat pediatric asthma.

  1. Dexamethasone

    • Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid that has been used safely in children to treat a variety of conditions, including pediatric asthma.

    Dosing Method

    • Dexamethasone can be delivered orally or via intramuscular injection.

    Compared to Prednisone

    • The National Institutes of Health recommends prednisone, also a corticosteroid, as outpatient treatment for pediatric asthma exacerbation because of extensive testing and studies in efficacy in children. Prednisone, however, has a shorter half-life than dexamethasone, so it requires more frequent dosing over a longer duration in order to achieve the same benefits.

    Success Rate

    • Dexamethasone provides the same benefits as longer-dosing corticosteroids such as prednisone, according to a presentation delivered at the American Academy of Pediatrics Annual Meeting. A separate study published in The Journal of Pediatrics demonstrated that the shorter dosing schedule of dexamethasone improves the probability of compliance with pediatric asthma treatment as compared to prednisone. Compliance is a primary indicator for avoiding asthma relapse.

    Side Effects

    • Dexamethasone can cause side effects similar to other corticosteroids, including stomach irritation, restlessness, insomnia and easy bruising.

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