Dexamethasone
Description
Dexamethasone is a prescription medicine in the corticosteroid class. It helps
reduce inflammation, suppress overactive immune responses, and relieve swelling and allergic reactions. It is used for conditions such as asthma, arthritis, severe allergies, certain skin and eye problems, autoimmune diseases, and some cancers. It is also used to prevent nausea during chemotherapy and manage certain hormone or adrenal gland disorders. Dexamethasone works by mimicking the natural hormones produced by your adrenal glands. It blocks the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation, pain, redness, and swelling. In simple terms, it “calms down” an overactive immune system and helps restore balance when your body’s natural steroid levels are low. Some common side effects include increased appetite, weight gain, upset stomach, mood changes, trouble sleeping, acne, or mild swelling in the hands or feet. Avoid alcohol while taking dexamethasone, as it may increase the risk of stomach irritation or ulcers. Tell your doctor if you have diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, glaucoma, or liver/kidney problems. Avoid contact with people who have infections (like chickenpox or measles), as dexamethasone can weaken your immune system.
Uses
- For the treatment of vision loss due to Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)
- For the treatment of macular edema (occurs when fluid builds up in the retina of an eye) following branch retinal vein occlusion (CRVO)
- For the treatment of various illnesses causing inflammation in your body
- For the treatment of several different diseases of the immune system
Contraindications
When should one not use Dexamethasone
- Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to Dexamethasone or any ingredient of this medicine
- Do not take this medicine if you have an infection that affect your body
- Do not take this medicine if you require a vaccination, especially with ‘live virus’ vaccines
Side effects
Common side effects of this drug are:
- Feeling anxious, sleeping problems, thinking difficulty, confused state of mind and memory loss, sudden changes in mood
- Mental disturbance
- Feelings of being lonely
- Stomach and gut problems
- Severe pain in the back or tummy
- Excess fluids build up inside your body
- Heart and blood problems
- Bone problems
- Recurring infections
- Skin problems
- Eye problems
- Hormonal problems (irregular or missing periods, stunted growth in children and teenagers)
- Feeling of unwell or tiredness
Precautions and Warnings
Pregnancy
Q:
Can I take Dexamethasone during pregnancy?
A:
Dexamethasone crosses the placenta. Especially in the first three months of pregnancy, the medicine should only be used after careful benefit-risk assessment. Women should inform the doctor if they are already pregnant or if they are planning pregnancy because of long-term treatment with this medicine during pregnancy can cause growth disorders in the unborn child.
Breast Feeding
Q:
Can I take Dexamethasone while breastfeeding?
A:
It is unknown whether it is excreted in breast milk. Harm to the infant is not yet known. So you should consult with the doctor prior to the use of this medicine.
Driving
Q:
Can I drive if I have consumed Dexamethasone?
A:
Usually it doesn't affect your ability to drive.
Alcohol
Q:
Can I consume alcohol with Dexamethasone?
A:
No information is available on interactions of Dexamethasone when taken with alcohol, consult your doctor or pharmacist for further information.
Other General Warnings
Talk to your doctor if
- You have any skin rash or skin itching
- You have difficulty in breathing or collapse
- You have swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and/ or throat
- You need any surgery
- You are suffering from high blood pressure, kidney disease,severe liver diseases,peptic ulcer, osteoporosis, hyperthyroidism,eye problems (cataract and glaucoma)
- You are diabetic
Mode of Action
How Does It Work?
Dexamethasone helps to suppress the unwanted response of the immune system to inflammation, which helps to minimize the harmful symptoms.
Interactions
Interactions with other medicines
- Medicines used for the treatment of heart and blood problems, antibiotics such as Rifampicin and Rifabutin
- Medicines used for the treatment of epilepsy (such as Phenytoin, Carbamazepine, Phenobarbital, and Primidone)
- Medicines used for the treatment of pain or inflammation
- Medicines used for the treatment of diabetes
- Medicines used to lower potassium levels
- Some of the medicines for HIV(Ritonavir, Cobicistat)
- Oral contraceptives containing oestrogen and progestogen
- Anti-cancer treatments (Aminoglutethimide), Methotrexate, Ephedrine, Acetazolamide
Interactions with food items
No information is available on interactions of Dexamethasone when taken with food, consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.
Dietary Restrictions
No information is available on dietary restrictions while you are taking Dexamethasone, consult your doctor or pharmacist for further details.
Dosage
Overdose
Overdose symptoms may cause swelling of the throat, skin reaction,breathing difficulties. If you are affected, contact your doctor immediately or visit the nearest hospital.
Missed a Dose
Do not take a double dose if you have missed the dose; take the next dose as soon as you remember.
Content Details
WRITTEN BY
Dr. Arpit Verma
MBBS, MD, CCEBDM Diabetology
REVIEWED BY
Dr. Ritu Budania
MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Dexamethasone?
A: Give a detailed account of your medical and surgical history. The doctor should also know about other health supplements like herbal medications, nutritional supplements that you might be taking before starting this medication. Also, tell your doctor specifically if you have diabetes. This medicine may increase glucose levels in your blood or urine. You may need to modify the dose of your diabetes medications.
Q: What are the precautions I should take while on this medicine?
A: Do not take any immunization or vaccination without doctor’s approval while you are on treatment with this medicine. Steroid treatments weaken the immune system. Hence, the doctor should be informed about any infection. Do not stop taking this medicine abruptly as the withdrawal symptoms are severe.
Q: What should I avoid while taking Dexamethasone?
A: Avoid drinking alcohol, getting vaccines without your doctor’s advice, or being around people with infections such as chickenpox or measles. Alcohol and certain medicines (like NSAIDs) can increase the risk of stomach bleeding when combined with Dexamethasone.
Q: Can I stop taking Dexamethasone suddenly if I feel better?
A: No. Stopping Dexamethasone suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms and affect your adrenal glands. Your doctor will give you a tapering schedule to safely reduce your dose.
Q: Does Dexamethasone affect fertility or sexual function?
A: Dexamethasone does not typically affect fertility or sexual function when used for a short period. However, long-term or high-dose use may influence hormone balance—discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider.
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The information provided herein is supplied to the best of our abilities to make it accurate and reliable as it is published after a review by a team of professionals. This information is solely intended to provide a general overview on the product and must be used for informational purposes only. You should not use the information provided herein to diagnose, prevent, or cure a health problem. Nothing contained on this page is intended to create a doctor-patient relationship, replace or be a substitute for a registered medical practitioner's medical treatment/advice or consultation. The absence of any information or warning to any medicine shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance. We highly recommend that you consult your registered medical practitioner for all queries or doubts related to your medical condition. You hereby agree that you shall not make any health or medical-related decision based in whole or in part on anything contained in the Site. Please click here for detailed T&C.
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