Dexamethasone, Topical

The Basics

What is Dexamethasone, Topical?

corticosteroid

Brand names for Dexamethasone, Topical

Baycadron Elixer, Decadron, Dekpak 13 Day Taperpak, Dexamethasone Intensol, Dexpak, Dexpak 10 Day Taperpak, Dexpak Jr, Zema-Pak

How Dexamethasone, Topical is classified

Corticosteroids – Topical, Corticosteroids – Ophthalmic, Glucocorticoids, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Dermatologic Agents

Dexamethasone, Topical During Pregnancy

Dexamethasone, Topical pregnancy category

Category N/ANote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Dexamethasone, Topical while pregnant

N/A

Taking Dexamethasone, Topical While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Dexamethasone, Topical?

Topical dexamethasone has not been studied during breastfeeding. Since only extensive application of the most potent corticosteroids cause systemic effects in the mother, it is unlikely that short-term application of topical corticosteroids would pose a risk to the breastfed infant by passage into breastmilk. However, it would be prudent to use the least potent drug on the smallest area of skin possible. It is particularly important to ensure that the infant’s skin does not come into direct contact with the areas of skin that have been treated. Only the lower potency corticosteroids (e.g., hydrocortisone, triamcinolone) should be used on the nipple or areola where the infant could directly ingest the drugs from the skin. Only water-miscible cream or gel products should be applied to the breast because ointments may expose the infant to high levels of mineral paraffins via licking.[1] Any topical corticosteroid should be wiped off thoroughly prior to nursing if it is being applied to the breast or nipple area. Because absorption from the eye is limited, ophthalmic dexamethasone would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. To substantially diminish the amount of drug that reaches the breastmilk after using eye drops, place pressure over the tear duct by the corner of the eye for 1 minute or more, then remove the excess solution with an absorbent tissue.

Maternal / infant drug levels

Topical dexamethasone has not been studied during breastfeeding. Since only extensive application of the most potent corticosteroids cause systemic effects in the mother, it is unlikely that short-term application of topical corticosteroids would pose a risk to the breastfed infant by passage into breastmilk. However, it would be prudent to use the least potent drug on the smallest area of skin possible. It is particularly important to ensure that the infant’s skin does not come into direct contact with the areas of skin that have been treated. Only the lower potency corticosteroids (e.g., hydrocortisone, triamcinolone) should be used on the nipple or areola where the infant could directly ingest the drugs from the skin. Only water-miscible cream or gel products should be applied to the breast because ointments may expose the infant to high levels of mineral paraffins via licking.[1] Any topical corticosteroid should be wiped off thoroughly prior to nursing if it is being applied to the breast or nipple area. Because absorption from the eye is limited, ophthalmic dexamethasone would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. To substantially diminish the amount of drug that reaches the breastmilk after using eye drops, place pressure over the tear duct by the corner of the eye for 1 minute or more, then remove the excess solution with an absorbent tissue.

Possible effects of Dexamethasone, Topical on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Dexamethasone, Topical

(Ophthalmic) Prednisolone; (Topical) Hydrocortisone, Topical.