Dexamethasone

Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid that prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation. Dexamethasone is used to treat many different inflammatory conditions such as allergic disorders and skin conditions.

Introduction

Generic name: Dexamethasone (oral)

Brand names: Decadron, DexPak 6 DayTaperpak, Hemady

Dosage forms: oral concentrate (1 mg/mL); oral liquid (0.5 mg/5 mL); oral tablet (0.5 mg; 0.75 mg; 1 mg; 1.5 mg; 2 mg; 20 mg; 4 mg; 6 mg)

Drug class: Glucocorticoids

Uses

Treatment of Inflammatory conditions

Treatment of Autoimmune conditions

Benefits

In Treatment of Inflammatory conditions

Dexona Tablet gives relief in inflammatory conditions that affect muscles and joints such as arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. It also helps manage other inflammatory conditions such as asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, uveitis, ulcerative colitis, and allergies. It works by blocking certain chemicals that cause pain and swelling.

In Treatment of Autoimmune conditions

Dexona Tablet gives relief in autoimmune conditions like psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, eczema, atopic dermatitis, etc. It works by lowering your immune system’s response to these conditions thereby reducing symptoms such as swelling, pain, itching, and other allergic-type reactions.

Directions for use

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Dexona Tablet is to be taken with food.

How it works?

Dexona Tablet is a steroid which works by blocking the production of certain chemical messengers in the body that cause inflammation (redness and swelling) and allergies.

Side effects

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • Muscle tightness, weakness, or limp feeling

  • Blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights

  • Shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain

  • Severe depression, unusual thoughts or behavior

  • A seizure (convulsions)

  • Bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood

  • Fast or slow heart rate, weak pulse

  • Pancreatitis - severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting

  • Low potassium level - leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling

  • Increased blood pressure - severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears, anxiety, nosebleed.

Dexamethasone can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using dexamethasone.

Common dexamethasone side effects may include:

  • Fluid retention (swelling in your hands or ankles)

  • Increased appetite

  • Mood changes, trouble sleeping

  • Skin rash, bruising or discoloration

  • Acne, increased sweating, increased hair growth

  • Headache, dizziness

  • Nausea, vomiting, upset stomach

  • Changes in your menstrual periods

  • Changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).

Warnings

  • You should not use dexamethasone if you have a fungal infection anywhere in your body.

  • Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, and all the medicines you are using. There are many other diseases that can be affected by steroid use, and many other medicines that can interact with steroids.

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

  • Dexamethasone can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection or worsening an infection you already have or have recently had. Tell your doctor about any illness or infection you have had within the past several weeks.

  • Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using steroid medication.

  • All vaccines may not work as well while you are taking a steroid. Do not receive a “live” vaccine while you are taking this medicine.

  • Do not stop using dexamethasone suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication.

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