Decadron question

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Hello everyone!!

Decadron is compatible with NaCl, right? I looked it up in my med book, and didn't see any contraindications that would have been specific to my patient. So why did it look white when I gave it IVP. (Patient had NaCl hanging.) When I saw it, I stopped, and asked another nurse on my floor. She said it wasn't a problem. I would just like to know if it is in fact ok. :confused:

Thanks for your input!!

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Yes, it's compatible. About the only thing not compatible with NaCl are one or two antibiotics of mass destruction, like vanco. If you look at a vial of depomedrol, it's white.

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Specializes in Palliative Care, NICU/NNP.
Yes, it's compatible. About the only thing not compatible with NaCl are one or two antibiotics of mass destruction, like vanco. If you look at a vial of depomedrol, it's white.

Vancomycin IS compatible with NS. It is originally reconstituted with SW but on further dilution can be mixed with D5W or NS.

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Specializes in Cancer research/ Orthopedics/ Surgery.

I heard the only thing not compatible with NS was Amphotericin B. But I always call pharmacy if I can't be sure from the drug guide.

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Decadron is definitely compatible with NS. I work in an infusion center and we use it all the time. I have never heard of an indication for an IV push Decadron. Doesn't that cause the perineal burning? That happened to one of my patients once when I accidentally let it run in too fast.

-Julie in NYC

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Specializes in Palliative Care, NICU/NNP.
Decadron is definitely compatible with NS. I work in an infusion center and we use it all the time. I have never heard of an indication for an IV push Decadron. Doesn't that cause the perineal burning? That happened to one of my patients once when I accidentally let it run in too fast.

-Julie in NYC

We pushed IV Decadron in NICU and I have pushed in for patients with respiratory problems.

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Specializes in IMC, ICU, Telemetry.

I had the same thing happened to me last week - it precipitated when I pushed into the primary line of LR. Drug book did not indicate incompatibility with LR.

Was there anything else piggybacked into your NS? An abx or anything?

Whenever I see a color change when giving a IVP, I stop, pull back and change the tubing. Haldol is very cranky like this - even with a good 10cc flush before pushing. I don't like Haldol.

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Sorry, you're right, it wasn't vanco, it was ampho B.

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She had gotten 1g Rocephin 1-2 hours earlier, but had NaCl running at 250/hr ever since. I had just never seen something precipitate like that before, and nothing in the drug guide indicated I couldn't give it. I later looked up Rocephin, and still didn't see where it could cause precipitant. Weird... :bugeyes:

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Oh, and yea, I had heard about the perineal burning if you push it to fast. I took it nice and slow, 1 ml/2 min. Maybe too slow but I've heard that the burning is pretty intense!!!!:angryfire ACK!

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Specializes in infusion therapy, wound care.

Amiodarone is one other drug incompatible with NaCl solutions, and absorbs to PVC. Here in Italy we use a drug that is called FOY (gabesato mesilato) to neutralize pancreatic enzymes in acute pancreatitis that is also incompatible with NaCl solutions.

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I am a LPN, but I had never heard the Decadron slow IVP. I've never had to push IVP it so I was unaware. I had to go to our local ER last night for an anaphylactic reaction. I'd already had 50 mg crushed Benadryl and 50 mg swallowed followed by 2 Epi-pen injections. (yes, I'm as bad as every nurse when it comes to being a patient). Since I'd had to use the Epi-pens for the first time (well I really didn't have a choice. My husband wouldn't have it any other way. Guess in all the excitement he forgot he'd be missing out on my life insurance) despite my symptoms clearing the nurse line advised I should go ahead and go to the ER. When I got to the ER the only thing they really needed to do was monitor me until it completely subsided and ordered Decadron IVP with a steriod Rx to follow it with.

I am here to personally attest IVP Decadron should never be given fast unless medically urgent. The nurse flushed, pushed and flushed and OMG instantly I felt a burning going through my back, down my spine and got very intense running from the front of my pubic area straight through to my rectum. It was very weird and luckily it was gone as quick as it came. I don't blame the nurse, but I can certainly attest it should be given S....L....O....W......IVP unless medically urgent.

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