Dexamethasone

Dexamethasone is used to treat chronic swelling, allergic, hematologic, neoplastic, and autoimmune diseases. This medication may also be used in the management of cerebral oedema, septic shock, as a diagnostic agent, and antiemetic.

Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid hormone which decreases your body's natural defensive response and reduces symptoms such as internal and external swelling and allergic-type reactions. It is associated with diseases like asthma, colitis, certain skin and eye conditions, arthritis, breathing problems, severe allergies, etc.

It is also used for other conditions like adrenal hormonal insufficiency, cerebral oedema, certain bowel disorders, certain types of anaemia and certain cancers. It is also used as a test for Cushing's syndrome.

Take Dexamethasone with food or milk to prevent stomach upset. The dosage and length of treatment are based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Your doctor may attempt to reduce your dose gradually to minimise side effects.

Symptoms of overdose include moon face, central obesity, hypertension, psychosis, hallucinations, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, peptic ulcer, increased susceptibility to infection, electrolyte and fluid imbalance.

When consumed in excessive quantities, systemic hypercorticism and adrenal suppression may occur; in those cases, discontinuation and withdrawal of the corticosteroid should be done judiciously.

To make sure Dexamethasone is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have a:

• Liver disease
• Kidney disease
• Thyroid disorder
• Congestive heart failure
• High blood pressure
• Ulcerative colitis
• Diverticulitis
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Thromboembolic disorders.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to it, or if you have a fungal infection anywhere in your body. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you have to take extra care for consuming Dexamethasone so follow all your doctor’s instructions.

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

• Allergic Disorders

• Severe Allergic Reaction

• Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Osteoarthritis

• Cerebral Edema

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

• Allergy

  This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a known history of allergy to it or any other medicine belonging to the category of corticosteroids.

• Systemic Fungal Infection

  This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a fungal infection affecting an internal organ/organs in the body.

• Cerebral Malaria

  This medicine is not recommended for use if you are suffering from a rare type of malaria that affects the brain.

• Active Untreated Infection

  This medicine is not recommended for use in patients suffering from any serious infection and is yet to receive any treatment for the same.

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

• Insomnia

• Nervousness

• Increased Appetite

• Indigestion

• Hirsutism

• Diabetes Mellitus

• Arthralgia

• Cataract

• Acne

• Altered Bone Growth

• Skin Scar

• Bone Degradation

• Muscle Disorders

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

• Is It safe with alcohol?

  Interaction with alcohol is unknown. Please consult your doctor.

• Are there any pregnancy warnings?

  Dexamethasone may be unsafe to use during pregnancy.
  Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the foetus, however, there are limited human studies. The benefits from use in pregnant women may be acceptable despite the risk. Please consult your doctor.

• Are there any breast-feeding warnings?

  Dexamethasone is probably safe to use during lactation. \nLimited human data suggests that the drug does not represent a significant risk to the baby.

• Is it safe to drive while on this medicine?

  Do not drive unless you are feeling well.
  Dexamethasone may cause dizziness (vertigo). Changes in your eyesight or muscle weakness may also happen. This may affect your driving ability.

• Does this affect kidney function?

  Dexamethasone is probably safe to use in patients with kidney disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Dexamethasone may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.
  Regular monitoring of kidney function tests and other blood tests is advisable while you are taking Dexamethasone.

• Does this affect liver function?

  Dexamethasone should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Dexamethasone may be needed. Please consult your doctor.

• How long is the duration of effect?

  This medicine will remain active for about 72 hours after its ingestion.

• What is the onset of action?

  This medicine produces its action within 1-2 hours after its administration.

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

• Missed Dose instructions

  Contact your doctor for instructions if you missed a scheduled dose of this medicine. A self-attempt to make up for the lost dose may result in adverse effects.

• Are there any overdose instructions?

  Contact your doctor if an overdose with this medicine for is suspected especially when the prescribed dose is very high. Symptoms may include thinning of the skin, easy bruising and bleeding, body fat deposits etc.

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

• India

• United States

• Japan

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

Below is the list of medicines, which contains Dexamethasone as ingredient

• Decmax 4Mg Tablet

  Get Well Pharmaceutical Pvt Ltd

• Ciplox D Eye/Ear Drops

  Cipla Ltd

• Apdrops Dm Eye Drop

  Ajanta Pharma Ltd

• Gatilox Dm 0.1% W/V/0.3% W/V Eye Drop

  Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd

• Moxiblu D Eye Drop

  Lupin Ltd

• Myticom Eye Drop

  Allergan India Pvt Ltd

• Mosi D Eye Drop

  FDC Ltd

• Oflacin Dx Eye Drop

  Micro Labs Ltd

• Chlorgull D Eye/Ear Drops

  Seagull Labs (I) Pvt Ltd

• Chlormet Dm Drop

  Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

This medication is a synthetic corticosteroid that enters the cells through passive diffusion and binds to glucocorticoid receptors, forming a complex. This complex undergoes activation, enters the cell nucleus and binds to the DNA. This induces the natural effects of biological hormones.

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

Whenever you take more than one medicine, or mix it with certain foods or beverages, you"re at risk of a drug interaction.

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• Interaction with Medicine

  • It interacts with CYP3A3/4 enzyme substrate; CYP3A3/4 enzyme inducer; CYP3A3/4 enzyme inhibitors.
  • It may also interact with clarithromycin, itraconazole, chlorthalidone clotrimazole, cilnidipine, carbamazepine, repaglinide, indapamide, S-amlodipine, lercanidipine glipizide, Bacillus Calmette-Guerin high strength, rosiglitazone, azithromycin.

• Interaction with Food

  Dexamethasone may be taken with meals to decrease GI upset. Individual must limit caffeine. One may need diet with increased potassium, pyridoxine, vitamin C, vitamin D, folate, calcium, and phosphorus.

• Ques : What is Dexamethasone?

  Ans : Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid in nature. It has anti-inflammatory effect and helps in curing the various diseases.

• Ques : Does Dexamethasone increase the blood sugar level?

  Ans : Yes, Dexamethasone causes an increase in the blood sugar level of the patient. It causes an increase in glucose production and decrease the effect of insulin. Therefore, diabetic patients must consult a doctor before taking this medication.

• Ques : Does taking Dexamethasoneincrease my weight?

  Ans : Yes, long term use of Dexamethasone lead to weight gain due to the side effects caused by this medicine. It causes increase in appetite and fluid retention that leads to increase the weight.

• Ques : Is it safe to take Dexamethasone with paracetamol?

  Ans : No harmful interaction between these two have been reported. Thus it is safe to take Dexamethasone with paracetamol.

• Ques : What dietary instructions should be followed during the course of the treatment?

  Ans : The doctor may allow you to take a low-sodium, potassium-rich and high-protein diet. In order to avoid upset stomach, always take Dexamethasone with food or milk.

• Ques : Is Dexamethasone a steroid?

  Ans : Yes, the medicine belongs to the category of steroids and prevents the release of a substance that causes inflammations. Hence, it is used of allergic disorders, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis and lupus.

• Ques : Should Dexamethasone be taken before or after the food?

  Ans : Dexamethasone can be taken with meals or after meals.

• Dexamethasone- Drug Information Portal [Internet]. druginfo.nlm.nih.gov. 2020 [Cited 22 June 2020]. Available from:

  https://druginfo.nlm.nih.gov/drugportal/name/dexamethasone

• Dexamethasone- DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2020 [Cited 22 June 2020]. Available from:

  https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB01234

• Dexamethasone 2mg Tablets- EMC [Internet] medicines.org.uk. 2018 [Cited 22 June 2020]. Available from:

  https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/5411/pil