Dexamethasone

Used for: 

• Low dose (4 mg): Prophylactically for patients with high risk of PONV (e.g., female gender, non-smoker, history of PONV, planned administration of postoperative opioids)

• Medium dose (8 mg): Analgesic

• High dose (10 mg): Reduce airway swelling in maxillo-facial surgeries

• Can cause perineal burning, so it is administered after the primary induction agent 

Mechanism: 

• Glucocorticoid that reduces inflammation and stimulation to the vomiting centre in the brain