Zuvidexa

Zuvidexa contains Dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid belonging to the corticosteroid class of medicines.

Dexamethasone is a white or almost white crystalline powder.

It is practically insoluble in water, sparingly soluble in anhydrous ethanol and slightly soluble in methylene chloride.

Each Zuvidexa tablet contains 4 mg of Dexamethasone as the active ingredient.

The tablet may also contain excipients such as

• Lactose

• Magnesium stearate

• Povidone

• Maize starch

The molecular formula of Dexamethasone is C22H29FO5 and its molecular weight is 392.5.

Zuvidexa may be used in the treatment or management of the following conditions:

Allergic Conditions

• Severe asthma

• Atopic dermatitis

• Contact dermatitis

• Drug hypersensitivity reactions

• Perennial or seasonal allergic rhinitis

• Serum sickness

Dermatological Diseases

• Bullous dermatitis herpetiformis

• Exfoliative erythroderma

• Mycosis fungoides

• Pemphigus

• Severe erythema multiforme, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Endocrine Disorders

• Primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency

• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

• Hypercalcaemia associated with cancer

• Nonsuppurative thyroiditis

Gastrointestinal Diseases

• Regional enteritis

• Ulcerative colitis during critical periods of the disease

Haematological Disorders

• Acquired autoimmune haemolytic anaemia

• Congenital hypoplastic anaemia

• Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in adults

• Pure red cell aplasia

• Selected cases of secondary thrombocytopenia

Neoplastic Diseases

• Palliative management of leukaemias

• Palliative management of lymphomas

Nervous System Disorders

• Acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis

• Cerebral oedema associated with primary or metastatic brain tumours

• Cerebral oedema following craniotomy or head injury

Ophthalmic Diseases

• Sympathetic ophthalmia

• Temporal arteritis

• Uveitis

• Ocular inflammatory conditions unresponsive to topical corticosteroids

Renal Diseases

• Induction of diuresis or remission of proteinuria in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome

• Proteinuria associated with systemic lupus erythematosus

Respiratory Diseases

• Berylliosis

• Fulminating or disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis when used with appropriate antituberculous treatment

• Idiopathic eosinophilic pneumonia

• Symptomatic sarcoidosis

Rheumatic Disorders

• Acute gouty arthritis

• Acute rheumatic carditis

• Ankylosing spondylitis

• Psoriatic arthritis

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

• Dermatomyositis

• Polymyositis

• Systemic lupus erythematosus

Other Uses

• Diagnostic testing of adrenocortical hyperfunction

• Trichinosis with neurological or myocardial involvement

• Tuberculous meningitis with subarachnoid block or impending block when used with appropriate antituberculous chemotherapy

Dexamethasone is a synthetic glucocorticoid that is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.

Glucocorticoids produce a range of metabolic effects and modify the body's immune response to various stimuli.

Naturally occurring glucocorticoids such as hydrocortisone and cortisone also have sodium-retaining properties and are commonly used as replacement treatment in adrenocortical deficiency.

Synthetic glucocorticoids such as Dexamethasone are primarily used because of their potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects.

At equivalent anti-inflammatory doses, Dexamethasone has very little sodium-retaining activity compared with hydrocortisone and closely related corticosteroids.

General Safety Information

• Keep Zuvidexa out of the reach of children.

• Use only in the dose and for the duration prescribed by the treating doctor.

• Do not stop prolonged corticosteroid treatment suddenly unless advised by a doctor.

• Long-term or high-dose corticosteroid treatment may increase the risk of infections and other adverse effects.

• The lowest effective dose should be used to reduce the risk of side effects.

Recommended Dosage

• Dexamethasone is generally administered in doses ranging from 0.5 mg to 10 mg daily, depending on the disease being treated.

• In severe disease conditions, doses above 10 mg per day may be required.

• The dosage should be adjusted according to the individual patient's response and the severity of the disease.

• To minimise side effects, the lowest effective dose should be used.

The exact dose and duration of treatment should be determined by the treating doctor.