Benadryl and Decadron

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Pain Management, RN experience was in ER.

I posted this question in the MedSavvy forum, but haven't received any responses. I figured I've have better luck in a forum with 300 views, compared to one with 9 views ;)

Anyways, we had a question come up at work the other day (I work in emergeny nursing) about whether benadryl and decadron are compatible in the same syringe during an IM shot. Several of our drug books have conflicting information, one saying it's compatible and one saying it's not. I was wondering what is your practice?

Thanks in advance! :nurse:

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We don't mix them per pharmacy. We flush with 10ml NS in between.

Edited: I read right over the IM part. I've never given them IM.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

I haven't persoanlly ever given both meds IM, usually IVP. What did the pharmacy say? Our pharmacists are usually really helpful with this kind of info. I persoanlly would rather give the pt one shot than 2 if possible.

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Specializes in infusion therapy, wound care.

Hello. I only found that there's quite a pH difference between the two drugs (Benadryl=5-6 and Decadron=7-8.5...it could mean something), and that both Decadron and Benadryl are incompatible with a hugh list of drugs. However, there's conflicting compatibility information between the two drugs. Benadryl has a sure incompatibility with another cortisone-based drug which is Solu-Cortef.

Since there ARE different conclusions about their compatibility, I'd would stay safe (speaking about the patient) and administer the two drugs in different syringes, and two different places.

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We give Benedryl and Decadron IV in one bag routinely with chemo. Seems like it would be ok to mix in a syringe but I say ask the Pharm.

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Specializes in ICU.

when in doubt.......just say no.......enough said :smokin:

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