What Does DEX Mean in Medical Terms?

DEX stands for dexamethasone (antenatal). Alternative steroid for fetal lung maturity.

Where you will see DEX

You will most often see DEX in maternity and women’s health records, medication orders and prescriptions.

Example

A medication order might be written with “DEX” as shorthand for dexamethasone (antenatal).

Related abbreviations

• 1h GTT — one-hour glucose challenge test
• 3% saline — three percent saline (hypertonic)
• 3h GTT — three-hour glucose tolerance test
• 5-FU — fluorouracil
• 6-MP — mercaptopurine
• 6-TG — thioguanine
• 7+3 — seven plus three induction
• a.c. — ante cibum (before meals)

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