Dexamethasone

Generic name: dexamethasone
Brand names: Decadron, DexPak 6 DayTaperpak, Hemady
Drug class: Glucocorticoids

Dosage form: tablet/liquid
Root of administration: oral
Dose:

• oral concentrate (1 mg/mL)
• oral liquid (0.5 mg/5 mL)
• oral tablet (0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 20, 4, 6 mg)

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

Dexamethasone is also used to treat ulcerative colitis, arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, and breathing disorders.

Drug contraindications: You should not use dexamethasone if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• a fungal infection anywhere in your body.

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.

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.

Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding: It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

You should not breastfeed while using dexamethasone.