Decadron

Generic name: Dexamethasone (oral)
Drug class: Glucocorticoids

Usage of Decadron

There are many brands and forms of Dexamethasone available. Not all brands are listed on this leaflet.

Decadron is a steroid that prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.

Decadron is used to treat many different conditions such as allergic disorders, skin conditions, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, or breathing disorders.

Decadron may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Decadron side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Decadron may cause serious 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; or

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

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

Common side effects of Decadron 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; or

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

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Decadron

You should not use Decadron if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

a fungal infection anywhere in your body.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

liver disease (such as cirrhosis);

kidney disease;

a thyroid disorder;

malaria;

tuberculosis;

osteoporosis;

a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis;

diabetes (steroid medicine may increase Glucose levels in your blood or urine);

glaucoma or cataracts;

herpes infection of the eyes;

stomach ulcers, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease;

depression or mental illness;

congestive heart failure; or

high blood pressure.

Steroid medication affects your immune system. You may get infections more easily. Steroids can also worsen or reactivate an infection you've already had. Tell your doctor about any illness or infection you have had within the past several weeks.

It is not known whether Decadron will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

You should not breastfeed while using Decadron.

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How to use Decadron

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Your dose needs may change due to surgery, illness, stress, or a medical emergency. Tell your doctor about any such situation that affects you.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Decadron.

Do not stop using Decadron suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.

In case of emergency, wear or carry medical identification to let others know you use Decadron.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Warnings

You should not use this medicine 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.

What other drugs will affect Decadron

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect Decadron, especially:

an antibiotic or antifungal medicine;

birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy;

insulin or diabetes medications you take by mouth;

medicine to treat dementia or Parkinson's disease;

a blood thinner--warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven; or

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), Celecoxib, Diclofenac, Indomethacin, Meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect Decadron. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.