Dexamethasone uses in humans and animals: public health and socio-economic implications

Abstract

The importance of dexamethasone is demonstrated by its wide uses in human and veterinary medical practice. Unfortunately, dexamethasone use is prone to abuse. Health authorities have emphasized the importance of increasing knowledge of benefits and potential harmful effects of synthetic glucocorticoids use as a guide to responsible and judicious use of the pharmaceutical. This review provides an overview of the uses of dexamethasone and its consequences on public health visa vie socio–economy. Methodology: Source of Data: The review is based on literature searches using PubMed and MeSH and authors' personal manuscript/abstract files and citations of known references. Study selection: The selection of articles reflects the authors' opinion as to originality and importance in the context of the review. The review included human and some aspects of animal study. Data extraction: The electronic searches were scrutinized and full manuscripts of all quotes considered relevant to the study were obtained. All the articles whose abstracts were not available were excluded. Results: Dexamethasone is still one of the most prescribed medicines in human and veterinary medical practice despite over 4-decades of use and its attendant negative consequences. Recently non-medical uses of the drug are also on the increase which greatly contributed to the problems. Conclusion: Dexamethasone use has consequences on public health visa vie socio-economy. Its indispensability is not unconnected with its broad spectrum pharmacological actions and cost effectiveness. Due to rampant abuses and the attendant adverse effects of dexamethasone, it is recommended that the drug be enlisted as controlled drug.