Dexamethasone



Decadron®; Decadron® Phosphate [DSC]; Dexamethasone Intensol®; DexPak® TaperPak®; Maxidex®







Dexamethasone

(deks a METH a sone)

U.S. Brand Names
Decadron®; Decadron® Phosphate [DSC]; Dexamethasone Intensol®; DexPak® TaperPak®; Maxidex®
Canadian Brand Names
Apo-Dexamethasone®; Dexasone®; Diodex®; Maxidex®; PMS-Dexamethasone
Mexican Brand Names
Adrecort®; Alin®; Alin Depot®; Decadron®; Decadronal®; Decadron®[inj.]; Dexagrin®; Dibasona®; Indarzona®
Pharmacologic Category
Antiemetic; Anti-inflammatory Agent; Anti-inflammatory Agent, Ophthalmic; Corticosteroid, Ophthalmic; Corticosteroid, Systemic; Corticosteroid, Topical
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • If you have an allergy to dexamethasone or any other part of this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used as an adrenal hormone replacement.
  • This medicine is used to relieve allergy symptoms.
  • This medicine is used to treat Addison's disease.
  • This medicine is used to treat arthritis.
  • This medicine is used to treat asthma.
  • This medicine is used to treat brain swelling.
  • This medicine is used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
  • This medicine is used to treat diseases where the anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressant properties are needed.
  • This medicine is used to treat eye inflammation.
  • This medicine is used to treat inflamed areas of the body.
  • This medicine is used to treat leukemias/lymphomas.
  • This medicine is used to treat organ transplantation.
  • This medicine is used to treat sarcoidosis.
  • This medicine is used to treat a variety of skin rashes.
  • This medicine is used to treat spinal cord injuries.
  • This medicine is used to treat ulcerative colitis.
How does it work?
  • Dexamethasone replaces an important chemical produced in the body.
  • It prevents or reduces irritation and swelling.
  • It blocks the allergic reaction by minimizing or preventing the body's reaction to the allergen.
  • It decreases the body's harmful response to diseases affecting the immune system.
How is it best taken?
  • Oral:
  • Take this medicine in the morning if taking once a day.
  • Take this medicine with food.
  • A liquid (concentrate, elixir, solution) is available if you cannot swallow pills.
  • Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.
  • Take calcium and vitamin D as recommended by healthcare provider.
  • Eye:
  • For the eye only.
  • Take out contact lenses before using medicine. Lenses can be replaced 15 minutes after medicine is given. Do not put contacts back in if eyes are irritated or infected.
  • Do not touch the container tip to the eye, lid, or other skin.
  • Tilt head back and drop medicine into eye.
  • After using medicine, keep your eyes closed. Apply pressure to the inside corner of the eye. Do this for 3-5 minutes. This keeps the medicine in your eye.
  • Separate each eye medicine by 5 minutes.
  • Skin:
  • Do not take this medicine by mouth. For skin only. Keep out of mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn).
  • Wash hands before and after use.
  • Clean affected area before use. Make sure to dry well.
  • Apply a thin layer to the affected skin and rub in gently.
What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
  • Use a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not use a double dose or extra doses.
  • Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • All forms:
  • If you are allergic to tartrazine, talk with healthcare provider. Some products contain tartrazine.
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
  • Oral:
  • If you have been taking this medicine for several weeks, talk with healthcare provider before stopping. You may want to gradually withdraw this medicine.
  • Do not run out of this medicine.
  • Do not take antacids within 2 hours of this medicine.
  • Wear disease medical alert identification.
  • If you have high blood pressure, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you are being treated for any infection, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have a weakened heart, talk with healthcare provider.
  • Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers that you use this medicine.
  • Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
  • If you have diabetes, talk with healthcare provider. Diabetic medicine may need increasing.
  • Skin:
  • Do not put coverings (bandages, dressings, make-up) over the area unless told to do so by healthcare provider.
  • Do not use tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants on a child treated in the diaper area. This may cause more medicine to get into the child's system.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • Oral:
  • High blood sugar. Can cause diabetes mellitus while on medicine, usually reverses when stopped.
  • Risk of infection. Avoid people with infections, colds, or flu.
  • Belly pain.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
  • Weight gain.
  • Change in body fat distribution.
  • Weakened bones.
  • Muscle weakness.
  • Skin changes (acne, stretch marks, slow healing, hair growth).
  • Cataracts or glaucoma with long-term use.
  • For females, vaginal yeast infection. Report itching or discharge.
  • Eye:
  • Increased eye pressure.
  • Eye infection.
  • Eye irritation.
  • Skin:
  • Skin irritation.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • Check blood sugar as directed by healthcare provider.
  • If a child is using this medicine, monitor growth carefully.
  • Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
  • Feeling extremely tired, weak, or irritable; trembling; having a fast heartbeat, confusion, sweating, or dizziness if you missed a dose or recently stopped this medicine.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Significant weight gain.
  • Severe skin irritation.
  • Sudden change in vision, eye pain or irritation.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • Store at room temperature.
  • Protect tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
General statements
  • If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
Brand Names: