Dexamethasone – What is it for, how to take it and side effects

Before Taking This Medicine:  You should not use dexamethasone if you are allergic to it or if:

• A yeast infection anywhere on your body.

Steroid medication can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection. Steroids can also make an infection you already have worse, or reactivate an infection you recently had. Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor about any illness or infection you have had in the last few weeks.

To make sure dexamethasone is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• Liver disease (such as cirrhosis);
• kidney disease ;
• A thyroid disorder;
• A history of malaria ;
• Tuberculosis ;
• Osteoporosis ;
• A muscle disorder, such as myasthenia gravis;
• Glaucoma or cataract ;
• Herpes infection of the eyes ;
• Stomach ulcers, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease;
• Depression or mental illness;
• Congestive heart failure;
• High pressure .

Also tell your doctor if you have diabetes . Steroid medications can increase glucose (sugar) levels in your blood or urine. You may also need to adjust the dose of your diabetes medications . It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Dexamethasone can pass into breast milk and can harm a breastfeeding baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Steroids can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate when using this medication.

How to Take Dexamethasone:  Take dexamethasone exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all instructions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not use this medication in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Your dose needs may change if you have unusual stress, such as a serious illness, fever, or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Tell your doctor about any situation that affects you.

This medication can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor treating you that you are using dexamethasone . Do not stop using this medication suddenly, or you may experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medication.

Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card indicating that you take dexamethasone . Any healthcare provider who treats you should know that you are using steroid medication. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What Happens If You Miss a Dose:  Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose of dexamethasone.

What to Do if Overdose Happens:  Seek emergency medical attention or call the helpline on 192. An overdose of dexamethasone is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms. However, prolonged use of high doses of steroids can lead to symptoms such as skin wrinkling, easy bruising, changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially on your face, neck, back and waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence or loss of interest in sex.

What to Avoid When Taking Dexamethasone:  Avoid being around people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to  smallpox or measles . These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using steroid medication.

Do not receive a “live” vaccine when using dexamethasone . The vaccine may not work as well during this time, and it may not fully protect you from the disease. Live vaccines include the measles , mumps , rubella (ROR) vaccine, polio , rotavirus, typhoid , yellow fever , chickenpox (smallpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza).

Dexamethasone Side Effects:  Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to dexamethasone : hives; difficulty breathing; Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.

Call your doctor right away if you have:

• Muscle tightness, weakness or feeling of cushioning;
• Problems with your vision;
• Shortness of breath (even with light exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain;
• Severe depression, unusual thoughts or behaviors;
• A seizure (seizures);
• Bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood;
• Back pain, blood in the urine, little or no urination;
• Confusion, numbness, or feeling of tingling in your mouth
• Fast or slow heart rate, weak pulse;
• A disorder of the pancreas – severe pain in the upper part of the stomach spreading to the back, nausea and vomiting, rapid heart rate;
• Low potassium – leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeat, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling or
• Dangerously high blood pressure – severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in the neck or ears, nosebleed, anxiety.

Common dexamethasone side effects can include:

• Fluid retention (swelling in your hands or ankles);
• Sleep problems (insomnia), mood swings;
• Acne, dry skin, burning skin, bruising or discoloration;
• Slow healing of wounds;
• Increased sweating, increased hair growth;
• Headache , dizziness, spinning sensation;
• Nausea, stomach pain, bloating;
• muscle weakness;
• Changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).

Note: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, as drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare professional who knows your medical history.