Why do we use dexamethasone for CNS edema and prednisone for pneumonitis?

Topics: Radiation Oncology • Gynecologic Cancers • Neuro-Oncology • Pediatric Oncology • Thoracic Malignancies • Medical Oncology

Is this an artifact of what agent prior clinical trials used or something to do with the mechanism of action (i.e., less mineralocorticoid effect of dex)?

Answer from: Medical Oncologist at Academic Institution

Dexamethasone has better CNS penetration compared to prednisone and thus its established use for managing vasogenic edema. However, it has the most suppressive effect on ACTH, causes relatively more steroid myopathy and has less mineralocorticoid effect compared to prednisone hence, the general use ...

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Radiation Oncologist at Beaumont Health System
Thank you for the helpful answer. I'm curious, wh...

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