DEXA 1

Dexa 1 is an injectable preparation for veterinary use combining a corticosteroid with a B vitamin: dexamethasone 21-sodium phosphate together with thiamine hydrochloride (vitamin B1). It is given by deep intramuscular injection to cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, dogs and cats.

Composition

Two active substances. Dexamethasone 21-sodium phosphate is the water-soluble ester of dexamethasone, which is what makes it fast-acting rather than depot. Thiamine hydrochloride is vitamin B1, a cofactor in carbohydrate metabolism and in nerve function. The pairing is deliberate: inflammation, trauma and metabolic stress all raise thiamine demand at exactly the point where appetite and gut function are compromised.

Indications

Dexa 1 is used where inflammation is combined with metabolic or general debility:

• inflammation following trauma;
• allergic reactions and hypersensitivity;
• inflammation accompanying infection, alongside appropriate antimicrobial treatment;
• metabolic and rheumatic conditions;
• shock and circulatory collapse, as supportive treatment;
• inflammatory conditions of the locomotor, respiratory and skin systems.

How it works

Dexamethasone suppresses the inflammatory cascade at the level of gene transcription, reducing the production of inflammatory mediators and the recruitment of inflammatory cells. Thiamine does nothing anti-inflammatory; it supports the metabolic recovery that a sick or injured animal needs in order to make use of the breathing space the steroid buys. The two are complementary rather than synergistic, and the product is worth choosing for cases where both are genuinely wanted.

Presentation and storage

Sterile injectable solution for deep intramuscular administration. Store in the original carton, protected from light, at the temperature given on the label. Do not freeze. Disinfect the stopper before each withdrawal and use a sterile needle and syringe. Keep out of reach of children.

Important

Deep intramuscular injection; rotate sites when treating over several days. Dexamethasone masks the signs of underlying infection, raises laminitis risk in susceptible horses and ponies, interferes with glucose and insulin regulation, and should not be used in late pregnancy, where it can induce parturition. Do not combine with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory without veterinary direction. Dose, route and duration are set by the attending veterinarian for the individual animal and species. Dexamethasone is a controlled medication under racing and competition rules and has a published detection time. Withdrawal periods apply to animals destined for food production. This page is product information, not veterinary advice.