Dexamethasone Elixir and Fluoxetine Hydrochloride

• Generic Name: dexamethasone
• Dosage Forms: oral elixir
• Other Brand Names: Baycadron, Decadron, Dexamethasone Intensol, DexPak, TaperDex, Zema-Pak, ZoDex, Zonacort, DexPak 10 Day Taperpak, DexPak 13 DayTaperpak, DexPak 6 DayTaperpak, De-Sone LA, Dexacen-4, Dexasone, Dexasone LA, Solurex, Solurex LA

Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid that prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.

Dexamethasone is used to treat many different inflammatory conditions such as allergic disorders and skin conditions.

Dexamethasone is also used to treat ulcerative colitis, arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, and breathing disorders.

Dexamethasone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

• Generic Name: fluoxetine
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Prozac, Prozac Weekly, PROzac Pulvules, Sarafem, Rapiflux, Selfemra

Acute and maintenance treatment of major depressive disorder.

APA states that effectiveness of antidepressants is generally comparable between and within classes of medications, including SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, MAO inhibitors, and other antidepressants (e.g., bupropion, mirtazapine, trazodone). Choose antidepressant based mainly on patient preference; nature of prior response to medication; safety, tolerability, and anticipated adverse effects; concurrent psychiatric and medical conditions; and specific properties of the medication (e.g., half-life, actions on CYP isoenzymes, other drug interactions). For most patients, an SSRI, SNRI, mirtazapine, or bupropion is considered optimal. Consult APA’s Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Patients with Major Depressive Disorder for additional information.

Acute and maintenance treatment of OCD.

Management of PMDD (previously late luteal phase dysphoric disorder).

Acute and maintenance treatment of moderate to severe bulimia nervosa (at least 3 bulimic episodes per week for 6 months).

SSRIs usually are preferred drugs in management of bulimia because of more favorable adverse effect profile.

Also has been used for management of anorexia nervosa.

Not recommended as the sole or primary treatment of anorexia nervosa.

Acute treatment of panic disorder with or without agoraphobia.

Short-term treatment of acute depressive episodes (alone or in combination with olanzapine) in patients with bipolar I disorder (bipolar depression).

May cause manic reactions when used as monotherapy in some patients; should not be used without mood stabilizing agents (e.g., lithium, lamotrigine).

Has been used for the short-term treatment of exogenous obesity.

Has been used for the symptomatic management of cataplexy in a limited number of patients with cataplexy and associated narcolepsy.

Has been used in the management of alcohol dependence.

Studies of SSRIs have generally shown modest effects on alcohol consumption.

Has been used for management of intention myoclonus, including postanoxic action myoclonus and progressive action myoclonus in a limited number of patients.

Like some other SSRIs, has been used for the treatment of premature ejaculation.