DECADRON ELIXIR
(DECK-A-DRON)
CONTENT
Purpose of Decadron
Side effects
Giving the medicine
Missed or vomited dose
How long to give Decadron
Call the doctor if…
Special instructions
The prescription
PURPOSE OF DECADRON
1. Decadron is a steroid used to improve the baby’s lung function and make it easier for him to breathe.
2. Decadron may help us extubate (remove the tube in this throat) your baby sooner.
SIDE EFFECTS
1. Nausea and vomiting
2. Restlessness, irritability
3. Increased appetite
4. Increased weight gain (more than usual or expected)
5. Edema (swelling of hands, feet, face)
6. Black, thick stools (bowel movements)
7. A cough, cold symptoms, or fever that lasts a long time.
GIVING THE MEDICINE
1. Draw the medicine up in a syringe.
2. Always give the medicine in about ½ ounce of formula to prevent choking and to prevent stomach upset.
MISSED OR VOMITED DOSES
1. The medicine should be given as ordered by the baby’s doctor.
2. If you forget a dose give the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
3. Do not make up for a missed dose by doubling or increasing the next dose.
4. One missed dose is usually not a problem.
5. If the baby vomits the medicine, CALL THE BABY’S DOCTOR FOR INSTRUCTIONS AND ASSISTANCE.
HOW LONG TO GIVE DECADRON
1. Do Not stop giving Decadron without talking with your baby’s doctor. He will tell you when to stop the medicine.
CALL THE DOCTOR IF…
1. Your baby vomits the medicine.
2. Your baby is more restless or irritable.
3. Your baby increases the amount he eats each feeding or looks as if he is gaining too much weight.
4. Your baby’s hands, feet, or face are swollen.
5. Your baby has black thick stools (bowel movements).
6. Your baby has a cough, cold symptoms, or fever that lasts a long time.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
1. KEEP ALL MEDICINES OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.
2. Always give the amount of medicine ordered by the doctor.
3. Decadron does not need refrigeration. Store it at room temperature.
4. Medicines have an expiration date printed on their label:
a. Discard an opened bottle of medicine at the expiration date printed on the label
b. If the bottle does not have a printed expiration date, discard the medicine 90 days after opening the bottle.
THE PRESCRIPTION
1. You may be given a prescription to fill before the baby is discharged or you may be given some of the medicine to take home.
a. Make sure you have some medicine for the baby’s next dose when the baby is discharged from the hospital.
2. Always check the medicine when you get it from the pharmacy (drug store).
3. It should be labeled with the same name and same dosage that your baby was getting in the hospital.
4. The medicine’s instructions will tell you:
a. The mg’s or cc’s to give (mg=miligrams)
b. How to give the medicine
c. How often to give the medicine.
5. Use a 1 cc or a 3 cc syringe to draw up this medicine. You will be given at least one syringe to take home.
6. Parents should always keep at least a week’s supply of each medicine on hand.
7. Call your baby’s doctor if more medicine is needed and you do not have a refill on the prescription.
8. The local drugstore pharmacist may be able to help you obtain refills.
Reviewed/Revised:
12/98, 03/01, 2/03, 9/05, 4/07, 12/09
Decadron 3