Dexamethasone

Dexamethasone	Last updated: 03/03/2022
(Also known as: fluormethylprednisolone)

Data alerts

The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement.

Environmental fate	Ecotoxicity	Human health
Environmental fate Moderate alert: Drainflow: Moderately mobile Warning: Significant data are missing		Human health High alert: Reproduction/development effects; Neurotoxicant

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

Used as an anti-inflammatory drug in a variety of animals including, for example, the control of CNS inflammation in dogs and cats and for the treatment of primary bovine ketosis.

Availability status

Introduction & key dates

Examples of species treated

Cattle, Horses, Lamas, Elephants, Pigs, Dogs, Cats

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Isomeric

Chemical formula

C₂₂H₂₉FO₅

Canonical SMILES

CC1CC2C3CCC4=CC(=O)C=CC4(C3(C(CC2(C1(C(=O)CO)O)C)O)F)C

Isomeric SMILES

C[C@@H]1C[C@H]2[C@@H]3CCC4=CC(=O)C=C[C@@]4([C@]3([C@H](C[C@@]2([C@]1(C(=O)CO)O)C)O)F)C

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

UREBDLICKHMUKA-CXSFZGCWSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C22H29FO5/c1-12-8-16-15-5-4-13-9-14(25)6-7-19(13,2)21(15,23)17(26)10-20(16,3)22(12,28)18(27)11-24/h6-7,9,12,15-17,24,26,28H,4-5,8,10-11H2,1-3H3/t12-,15+,16+,17+,19+,20+,21+,22+/m1/s1

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams

Common Name	Relationship	Link
dexamethasone	-

General status

Veterinary substance type

Anti-inflammatory

Substance groups

Corticosteroid

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

Unbound dexamethasone crosses cell membranes and binds to specific cytoplasmic receptors leading to a reduction in inflammation

Molecular targets

[Glucocorticoid receptor, agonist], [Nuclear receptor 0B1, stimulator], [Annexin A1, stimulator], [Nitric oxide synthase, inducible, negative modulator]

CAS RN

50-02-2

EC number

200-003-9

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

ATCvet Code

QA01AC02; QC05AA09; QD07AB19; QH02AB02; QR01AD03; QS01BA01; QS02BA06; QS03BA01

Therapeutic Class

Alimentary tract & metabolism; Cardiovascular system; Dematologicals; Systemic hormone preparations excluding sex hormones & insulins; Respiratory system; Sensory organs

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Allowed substance (Table 1 Bovine, Caprine, Porcine, Equidae)

Molecular mass

392.46

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

8S,9R,10S,11S,13S,14S,16R,17R)-9- fluoro-11,17-dihydroxy-17-(2-hydroxyacetyl)-10,13,16- trimethyl-6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17- dodecahydro-3H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-one

CAS name

1-dehydro-16α-methyl-9α-fluorohydrocortisone

Other status information

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

White crystalline powder

Formulations

Property

Product

Manufacturer

Authorisation Route

UK Legal Class

Example products using this active

Colvasone 0.2% w/v Solution for injection

Norbrook Labs

UK National authorisation

Prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)

Dexafort suspension for injection

Intervet Uk Ltd

UK National authorisation

Prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)

Rapidexon 2 mg/ml solution for injection

Eurovet Animal Health B.V.

EU Mutually recognised procedure

Prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)

Voren Suspension for Injection 1mg/ml

Boehringer B.V.

UK National authorisation

Prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)

Formulation and application details

Available in a variety of formulations including injections, creams, sprays and aerosols

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Moderate

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

1000

Ethanol

Melting point (°C)

262

Boiling point (°C)

568

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

279.5

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

6.76 X 10⁰¹

Calculated

Log P

1.83

Low

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

1.32

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

1.18 X 10^-08

Low volatility

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Contains chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290nm

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Refractive Index

1.591

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

Note

Manure DT₅₀ (days)

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d

Moderately mobile

K_oc

240

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f

K_foc

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

CT₅₀ (days)

Known soil and groundwater metabolites

None

Other known metabolites

Metabolite name and reference

Aliases

Formation medium / Rate

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

Metabolising enzymes

6-beta-hydroxydexamethasone

Human (Liver)

Cytochrome P450 3A4

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 3000

Rat

Low

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

(ppm diet)

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other pollinators (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other pollinators (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic plants - Acute 7 day EC₅₀, biomass (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute 72 hour EC₅₀, growth (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Chronic 96 hour NOEC, growth (mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

High (class III)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 3000

Rat

Low

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

Intraperitoneal LD₅₀ = 54 mg kg⁻¹

Rat

Subcutaneous LD₅₀ = 14 mg kg⁻¹

Rat

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Metablised and around 30% excreted in the urine within 4 days. Also excreted in human breast milk.

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

No data found

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

No data found

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

May cause hypertension
May cause retinal toxicity, glaucoma & subcapsular cataract
May cause delayed wound healing, atrophy & skin fragility

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Emits toxic fumes of hydrogen fluoride when heated to decomposition

CLP classification 2013

WHO Classification

None - not a ppp

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

dexamethasone

French

German

Danish

Italian

Spanish

dexametasona

Greek

Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Record last updated:	03/03/2022
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242