Details

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, skin conditions, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, or breathing disorders. To make sure you can safely take dexamethasone, tell your doctor if you have liver disease (such as cirrhosis) kidney disease a thyroid disorder diabetes a history of malaria tuberculosis osteoporosis a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis glaucoma or cataracts herpes infection of the eyes stomach ulcers, ulcerative colitis, or diverticulitis depression or mental illness congestive heart failure or high blood pressure. Dexamethasone can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection. Steroids can also worsen an infection you already have, or reactivate an infection you recently had. Before taking dexamethasone, tell your doctor about any illness or infection you have had within the past several weeks.

Typical Uses

Dexamethasone is used to treat conditions such as arthritis, blood/hormone/immune system disorders, allergic reactions, certain skin and eye conditions, breathing problems, certain bowel disorders, and certain cancers. It is also used as a test for an adrenal gland disorder (Cushing's syndrome). This medication is a corticosteroid hormone (glucocorticoid). It decreases your body's natural defensive response and reduces symptoms such as swelling and allergic-type reactions. Dexamethasone may also be used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy.

Side Effects

Some of the side effects of dexamethasone include problems with your vision swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath severe depression, unusual thoughts or behaviour, seizure (convulsions) bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood pancreatitis (severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate) low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling) or dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure).

Drug Interactions

• Dexamethasone+adalimumab- Using adalimumab together with dexamethasone may increase the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening infections. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

• Dexamethasone+bosutinib- Dexamethasone can significantly reduce the blood levels of bosutinib, which may make the medication less effective in treating your condition. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

• Dexamethasone+certolizumab- Using dexamethasone together with certolizumab may increase the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening infections. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

• Dexamethasone+ciprofloxacin- Using ciprofloxacin together with dexamethasone can increase the risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture. This may be more likely to occur in older adults over 60 years of age or those who have received a kidney, heart, or lung transplant. Tendon rupture can occur during or up to several months after finishing ciprofloxacin treatment and may require surgery or result in prolonged disability.

• Dexamethasone+fentanyl- Dexamethasone may reduce the blood levels of fentanyl, which may make the medication less effective in treating your pain. Additionally, if you have been receiving treatment with fentanyl, adding dexamethasone may cause you to experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, yawning, excessive sweating, goose bumps, fever, chills, flushing, restlessness, irritability, anxiety, depression, pupil dilation, tremor, rapid heartbeat, body aches, involunt

Mechanism of action

Dexamethasone belongs to a group of medicines called corticosteroids. It prevents late phase allergic reactions by preventing release of chemicals responsible for allergy.

Pregnancy Category : C