Dexamethasone

for one month have been shown to be effective (see PRECAUTIONS : Neuro-Psychiatric ). In pediatric patients, the initial dose of dexamethasone may vary depending on the specific disease entity being treated. The range of initial doses is 0.02 to 0.3 mg/kg/day in three or four divided doses (0.6 to 9 mg/m2bsa/day). For the purpose of comparison, the fo ll owing is the equivalent mi lli gram dosage of the various corticosteroids: Dexamethasone, 1.5 Methylprednisolone, 8 Prednisone, 10 Triamcinolone, 8 Prednisolone, 10 Betamethasone, 1.5 Hydrocortisone, 40 Paramethasone, 4 Cortisone, 50 These dose relationships apply only to oral or intravenous administration of these compounds.

for Cushing’s syndrome Give 1.0 mg of dexamethasone orally at 11:00 p.m. Blood is drawn

for plasma cortisol determination at 8:00 a.m. the following morning. For greater accuracy, give 0.5 mg of dexamethasone orally every 6 hours for 48 hours. Twenty-four hour urine co l ections are made for determination of 17-hydroxycorticosteroid excretion. 2. Test to distinguish Cushing’s syndrome due to pituitary ACTH excess from Cushing’s syndrome due to other causes. Give 2.0 mg of dexamethasone orally every 6 hours for 48 hours. Twenty-four hour urine co l ections are made for determination of 17-hydroxycorticosteroid excretion.