Dogs and cats.

For the symptomatic treatment or as adjunct treatment of inflammatory and allergic conditions in dogs and cats.

Do not use in animals with viral or mycotic infections.

Do not use in animals with diabetes mellitus or hyperadrenocorticism.

Do not use in animals with osteoporosis.

Do not use in animals with cardiac or renal dysfunction.

Do not use in animals with corneal ulcers.

Do not use in animals with gastro-intestinal ulceration.

Do not use in animals with burns.

Do not use concomitantly with attenuated alive vaccine.

Do not use in the case of glaucoma.

Do not use during pregnancy (see Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay).

Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance, to corticosteroids or to any of the excipients.

See also Interactions.

Corticoid administration is to induce an improvement in clinical signs rather than a cure. The treatment should be combined with treatment of the underlying disease and/or environmental control.

In cases where it has been deemed necessary to administer the veterinary medicinal product in the presence of bacterial, parasitic or fungal infection, the underlying infection should be treated concomitantly with suitable antibacterial, antiparasitic or antifungal therapy.

Because of the pharmacological properties of dexamethasone, special care should be taken when the veterinary medicinal product is used in animals with a weakened immune system.

Corticoids such as dexamethasone, exacerbate proteinaceous catabolism.

Consequently, the veterinary medicinal product should be used with caution in old or malnourished animals.

Corticoids such as dexamethasone should be used with caution in patients with hypertension.

Since glucocorticosteroids are known to slow growth, use in young animals (under 7 months of age) should be based on a benefit/risk assessment by the attending veterinarian.

Pharmacologically-active dose levels may lead to atrophy of the adrenal cortex, resulting in adrenal insufficiency. This may become apparent particularly after withdrawal of corticosteroid treatment. The dosage should be reduced and withdrawn gradually to avoid precipitation of adrenal insufficiency.

Avoid long-term use with oral corticosteroids whenever possible. Should long-term use be indicated, a corticosteroid with a shorter duration of action e.g. prednisolone is more appropriate. With prednisolone, alternate-day therapy can be utilised for longer-term use to minimise adrenal insufficiency. Due to the long duration of effect of dexamethasone alternate day therapy is not an adequate way to allow the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to recover (see Amounts to be administered and administration route).

The tablets are flavoured. In order to avoid any accidental ingestion, store tablets out of reach of animals.

Dexamethasone may cause hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions. Skin contact with the veterinary medicinal product should be avoided, especially in people with known hypersensitivity to dexamethasone or any of the excipients (e.g. povidone or lactose). Wash hands after use. Seek medical advice in case of hypersensitivity reactions.

This veterinary medicinal product may be harmful to children after accidental ingestion. Do not leave the veterinary medicinal product unattended. Return unused part-tablets to the blister pack and use them on the next administration. Keep the blister in the outer carton to prevent access by children. In case of accidental ingestion, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician.

Dexamethasone can cause harm to unborn children. Pregnant women should avoid exposure. Absorption through the skin is negligible but it is recommended to immediately wash hands after handling the tablets to avoid hand-to-mouth contact.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Dogs and cats:

1 as a result of effective doses suppressing the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

2 as part of possible iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism (Cushings disease).

3 after systemic administration and particularly during early stages of therapy.

4 iatrogenic.

5 involving significant alteration of fat, carbohydrate, protein and mineral metabolism, e.g. redistribution of body fat, increase in body weight, muscle weakness and wastage and osteoporosis may result.

6 may be exacerbated by steroids in animals given non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and in animals with spinal cord trauma.

7 increase of segmented neutrophils.

8 in the presence of viral infections, corticosteroids may worsen or hasten the progress of the disease.

9 in long-term use.

Anti-inflammatory corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone, are known to exert a wide range of side effects. Whilst single high doses are generally well tolerated, they may induce severe side-effects in long-term use. Long-term use should therefore be avoided. Should long-term use be indicated, a corticosteroid with a shorter duration of action e.g. prednisolone is more appropriate (see section Special precautions for use).

Following cessation of treatment, signs of adrenal insufficiency extending to adrenocortical atrophy can arise and this may render the animal unable to deal adequately with stressful situations. Consideration should therefore be given to means of minimising problems of adrenal insufficiency following the withdrawal of treatment.

See also section Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay.

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 the national competent authority via the national reporting system. See the package leaflet for respective contact details.

Do not use in pregnant animals. Studies in laboratory animals have shown that administration during early pregnancy may cause foetal abnormalities.

Administration during the later stages of pregnancy may cause abortion or early parturition.

Use during lactation only according to the benefit-risk assessment by the responsible veterinarian.

Phenytoin, barbiturates, ephedrine and rifampicin, may accelerate the metabolic clearance of corticosteroids resulting in decreased blood levels and reduced physiological effect.

The concomitant use of this veterinary medicinal product with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may exacerbate gastrointestinal tract ulceration. Because corticosteroids can reduce the immunoresponse to vaccination, dexamethasone should not be used in combination with vaccines or within two weeks after vaccination.

Administration of dexamethasone may induce hypokalaemia and hence increase the risk of toxicity from cardiac glycosides. The risk of hypokalaemia may be increased if dexamethasone is administered together with potassium depleting diuretics.

Oral use.

Dose: 0.05-0.2 mg/kg/day. The dose and duration of treatment should be determined by the veterinarian based upon the desired effect (anti-inflammatory or anti-allergic) and on the nature and severity of each individual case. The lowest effective dose for the shortest possible period should be used. When the desired effect has been achieved, the dose should gradually be reduced until the lowest effective dose is reached.

Dogs should be treated in the morning and cats in the evening on account of differences in cortisol circadian rhythms.

Tablets can be divided into 2 or 4 equal parts to ensure accurate dosing. Place the tablet on a flat surface, with its scored side facing up and the convex (rounded) side facing the surface.

2 equal parts: press down with your thumbs on both sides of the tablet.

4 equal parts: press down with your thumb in the middle of the tablet.

An overdose does not cause other adverse effects than those stated in Adverse reactions.

Not applicable.