Shanti has been diagnosed to have brain tumor. You would prefer to give her betamethasone/dexamethasonc over hydrocoisonc as steroids to decrease her cerebral edema because:
(Ref: KDT 6/e p285) Triamcinolone, betamethasone, dexamethasone and paramethasone are selective glucocoicoids (have zero mineralocoicoid action). These are preferred for cerebral edema because they lack salt and water retaining potential (mineralocoicoid action).
They do not cause Na+ and water retention
They are more potent
They can be administered intravenously
They inhibit brain tumours
Other topics and Adverse effects