Last update April 18, 2022

Dexamethasone, topical use (ophthalmic, dermatological)

Compatible

Safe substance and/or breastfeeding is the best option.

Steroid drug for topical use in skin, eye and external ear.

DERMATOLOGICAL USE: Because of a low absorption through skin significant excretion into breast milk is unlikely. Additionally, its high volume of distribution makes its excretion in breast milk difficult.

Whenever a treatment for nipple eczema or dermatitis is required the lowest potency steroid compound (hydrocortisone, triamcinolone) should be used. It should be applied right after the feed to make sure it has disappeared before the next nursing occurs. Otherwise, wipe cream out with a clean gauze.

Do not continuously use for longer than a week.

Reportedly, a case of mineral-steroid toxicity has occurred due to continuous use of cream on the nipple. Creams, gels or similar products that contain paraffin or mineral oil should not be used on the nipple to avoid absorption by the infant. (De Stefano 1983)

OPHTALMIC USE:

The small dose used and a sparse absorption into the plasma of topical treatments for ophthalmologic conditions make excretion into breast milk in significant amount unlikely. In order to minimize even more the tiny amount excreted in the milk, press the lacrimal duct for 1-2 minutes after instillation of fluid and dry out the excess of it with a paper tissue.

List of WHO essential medicines: compatible with breastfeeding. (WHO-UNICEF 2002)


See below the information of this related product:

  • Dexamethasone (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)

Alternatives

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

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Other names

Dexamethasone, topical use (ophthalmic, dermatological) is also known as


Group

Dexamethasone, topical use (ophthalmic, dermatological) belongs to this group or family:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Dexamethasone, topical use (ophthalmic, dermatological) in its composition:

List of 9 tradenames
  • Corti-Arscolloid™. Contains other elements than Dexamethasone, topical use (ophthalmic, dermatological) in its composition
  • De-Phonal™. Contains other elements than Dexamethasone, topical use (ophthalmic, dermatological) in its composition
  • Netdex™. Contains other elements than Dexamethasone, topical use (ophthalmic, dermatological) in its composition
  • Netex™. Contains other elements than Dexamethasone, topical use (ophthalmic, dermatological) in its composition
  • Netildex™. Contains other elements than Dexamethasone, topical use (ophthalmic, dermatological) in its composition
  • Oftalmolosa Cusi de Icol™. Contains other elements than Dexamethasone, topical use (ophthalmic, dermatological) in its composition
  • Otocort™. Contains other elements than Dexamethasone, topical use (ophthalmic, dermatological) in its composition
  • Phonal™. Contains other elements than Dexamethasone, topical use (ophthalmic, dermatological) in its composition
  • Resorborina™. Contains other elements than Dexamethasone, topical use (ophthalmic, dermatological) in its composition

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. 78 %
Molecular weight 392 daltons
Protein Binding 70 %
VD 0.7 - 1.3 l/Kg
pKa 12.4 -
Tmax 1 - 2 hours
T½ 3 - 6 hours

References

  1. PDR.NET Ophtalmic Dexamethasone Drug Summary 2014 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  2. WHO / UNICEF. BREASTFEEDING AND MATERNAL MEDICATION Recommendations for Drugs in the Eleventh WHO Model List of Essential Drugs. Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development (WHO/UNICEF) 2002 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  3. De Stefano P, Bongo IG, Borgna-Pignatti C, Severi F. Factitious hypertension with mineralocorticoid excess in an infant. Helv Paediatr Acta. 1983 Abstract

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