Rapidexon

1 x 50 ml

Liquid for injection, solution

Active substance

Dexamethasone (Dexamethasone sodium phosphate) : 2 mg/ml

ATC code

QH02AB02 Dexamethasone (Corticosteroids - moderately potent (group II))

QH02AB Glucocorticoids

QH02A Corticosteroids for systemic use, plain

QH02 Corticosteroids for systemic use

QH Systemic hormonal preparations, excl. sex hormones and insulins

Species

Horses, cattle, pigs, cats and dogs.

Indications

In horses, cattle, pigs, dogs and cats:

Treatment of inflammatory or allergic conditions.

In cattle:

Treatment of primary ketosis (acetonaemia). Induction of parturition

In horses:

Treatment of arthritis, bursitis or tenosynovitis.

Dose to be administered and administration route

Horses: Intravenous, intramuscular, intraarticular, intrabursal or local use. Cattle, pigs, dogs and cats: Intramuscular use.

For the treatment of inflammatory or allergic conditions the following average doses are advised. However the actual dose used should be determined by the severity of the signs and the length of time for which they have been present.

Species	Dosage
Horses, cattle, pigs	0.06 mg/kg body weight corresponding to 1.5 ml/50 kg
Dogs, cats	0.1 mg/kg body weight corresponding to 0.5 ml/10 kg

For the treatment of primary ketosis in cattle (acetonaemia)

0.02 to 0.04 mg/kg body weight corresponding to 5-10 ml per cow given by intramuscular injection is advocated dependent on the size of the cow and the duration of the signs. Care should be taken not to overdose Channel Island breeds. Larger doses will be required if the signs have been present for some time or if relapsed animals are being treated.

For the induction of parturition

0.04 mg/kg body weight corresponding to 10 ml per cow as a single intramuscular injection after day 270 of pregnancy.

Parturition will normally occur within 48-72 hours.

For the treatment of arthritis, bursitis or tenosynovitis by single intra-articular, intrabursal or local injection in the horse

Dosage 1-5 ml

These quantities are not specific and are quoted purely as a guide. Injections into joint spaces or bursae should be preceded by the removal of an equivalent volume of synovial fluid. Strict asepsis is essential.

To measure small volumes of less than 1 ml a suitably graduated syringe should be used to ensure accurate administration of the correct dose.

Adverse reactions

Horses, cattle, pigs, dogs, cats:

Very rare (<1 animal / 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports):

Polydipsia², polyphagia²

Polyuria²

Hypokalaemia³, changes in blood biochemical and haematological parameters, hyperglycaemia⁸

Hepatomegaly⁶

Pancreatitis¹

Laminitis

Undetermined frequency (cannot be estimated from

the available data)

Iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s disease)¹

Sodium retention³, water retention³

Cutaneous calcinosis

Delayed wound healing, weakened resistance to or

exacerbation of existing infections⁴

Gastrointestinal ulceration⁵

Retained placenta, metritis, subfertility

Milk production decrease

¹ Involving significant alteration of fat, carbohydrate, protein and mineral metabolism, e.g., redistribution of body fat, muscle weakness and wastage and osteoporosis may result.

² After systemic administration and particularly during early stages of therapy.

³ Upon long-term use.

⁴ In the presence of bacterial infection, antibacterial drug cover is usually required when steroids are used. In the presence of viral infections, steroids may worsen or hasten the progress of the disease.

⁵ May be exacerbated in patients given non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and in animals with spinal cord trauma.

⁶ With increased serum hepatic enzymes.

Reporting adverse events is important. It allows continuous safety monitoring of a veterinary medicinal product. Reports should be sent, preferably via a veterinarian, to either the marketing authorisation holder or its local representative or the national competent authority via the national reporting system. See also the package leaflet for respective contact details.