Precautions
Along with its needed effects, dexamethasone may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking dexamethasone: More common. Aggression; agitation; anxiety; blurred vision
What are the side effects of dexamethasone?
In addition, alcohol can increase the likelihood of gastrointestinal side effects with dexamethasone, and possibly liver and kidney damage. Dexamethasone may suppress the inflammatory response to skin tests.
What happens if you drink alcohol while taking dexamethasone?
Taking this drug with dexamethasone could increase your risk of irregular heartbeats caused by low potassium levels. (Potassium is a mineral that helps your nerves, muscles, and organs work normally.) Taking certain hormones with dexamethasone can cause decreased levels of these hormones in your body.
Can dexamethasone cause low potassium?
How it works 1 Dexamethasone may be used in the treatment of conditions characterized by inflammation. 2 Dexamethasone works by mimicking the effect of cortisol, a hormone released by the adrenal glands... 3 Dexamethasone belongs to the class of medicines known as corticosteroids. It is specifically a glucocorticoid.
How does dexamethasone work?
What are the most common side effects of dexamethasone?
The most common side effects are sleep problems, mood changes, indigestion and weight gain. Tell your doctor if you come into contact with anyone who has measles, chickenpox or shingles while you're taking dexamethasone.
Does dexamethasone affect urine?
Administration of a single intravenous dose of dexamethasone sodium phosphate (7.5 mg) was associated with a significant rise in urine pH and potassium excretion and decreased titratable acid, ammonium , and phosphorus excretion in the absence of changes in blood acid-base status, creatinine clearance, or urine flow.
Does dexamethasone make you retain water?
Mood effects such as agitation, anxiety, and irritability; blurred vision; a change in heart rate; swelling of the limbs (edema or sodium and water retention); increased appetite and weight gain; and concentration difficulties are the most common side effects.
How long does dexamethasone stay in your system?
How long do dexamethasone side effects last? With a half-life of four hours (the amount of time it takes the body to eliminate half a dose), a 20 mg dose is eliminated from the body in about 24 hours.
What should I avoid while taking dexamethasone?
Some products that may interact with this drug include: aldesleukin, drugs that can cause bleeding/bruising (including antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel, "blood thinners" such as dabigatran/warfarin, NSAIDs such as aspirin/celecoxib/ibuprofen), mifepristone.
Is it OK to take dexamethasone at night?
You will probably do OK if you take them at night, but your pituitary and adrenal glands will follow a normal physiologic routine if you give that steroid dose in the morning.
Can you lose weight while on dexamethasone?
Conclusion: Dexamethasone significantly decreases appetite loss and weight loss in lung cancer patients treated with chemotherapy, while it has no influence on appetite impovement and weight gain.
What does dexamethasone do to the body?
It relieves inflammation (swelling, heat, redness, and pain) and is used to treat certain forms of arthritis; skin, blood, kidney, eye, thyroid, and intestinal disorders (e.g., colitis); severe allergies; and asthma. Dexamethasone is also used to treat certain types of cancer.
Do steroids make you pee?
Results: Low-dose prednisone significantly enhanced urine output. However, the effects of medium- and high-dose prednisone on urine output were less obvious. As for renal sodium excretion, high-dose prednisone induced a more potent natriuresis than low-dose prednisone.
How long do side effects of dexamethasone last after stopping?
Such issues may resolve once dexamethasone is discontinued. But they can persist for days or even weeks more. In fact, stopping corticosteroids can lead to a withdrawal syndrome with symptoms such as fatigue, depression, anxiety, mania, or delirium. Corticosteroid withdrawal syndrome can last for two to eight weeks.
How strong is dexamethasone?
Yes, dexamethasone is considered a strong corticosteroid. It is a long-acting corticosteroid that is about 25 times more potent (stronger) than hydrocortisone and 6 times more potent than prednisone. For reference, your body naturally makes the equivalent of about 5 mg prednisone daily.
Can you drink coffee while taking dexamethasone?
You should also limit caffeine intake (colas, tea, coffee and chocolate, especially). These beverages may irritate your stomach. If you experience symptoms or side effects, especially if severe, be sure to discuss them with your health care team.
Can dexamethasone help UTI?
We conclude that dexamethasone combined with antibiotics significantly decreases UIL-6 and UIL-8 levels in patients with acute pyelonephritis. This suggests that the clinical use of corticosteroids may prevent scar formation following febrile UTI.
Does prednisone decrease urine output?
Conclusions: Only low-dose prednisone significantly enhanced urine output. However, high-dose prednisone induced a more potent renal sodium excretion than low-dose prednisone.
Can steroids give you a UTI?
Average follow up was an additional 6 months, but some people were followed for several years; prednisone 5 mg/day or less was the most common dose. There were 20,630 serious infections requiring hospitalization, most often urinary tract infection, pneumonia, bacteremia/septicemia, and skin or soft-tissue infections.
What medicines cause urinary incontinence?
Medications that can cause urinary incontinenceMedicationEffectAntihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton)Relax the bladder, causing it to retain urineAlpha-adrenergic antagonists such as terazosin (Hytrin), doxazosin (Cardura)Relax the muscle at the outlet of the bladder3 more rows
Can corticosteroids cause early closure of epiphyses?
Corticosteroids can cause a dose-dependent inhibition of growth in infancy, childhood, and adolescence due to it causing early closure of the epiphyses, which may be irreversible . [ Ref]
Does dexamethasone need immediate medical attention?
Side effects not requiring immediate medical attention. Some side effects of dexamethasone may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine.
Does dexamethasone cause side effects?
Side effects requiring immediate medical attention. Along with its needed effects, dexamethasone may cause some unwanted effects . Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
What is the name of the brand of Dexamethasone?
Brand name: DexPak. Dexamethasone comes as an oral tablet, oral solution, eye drops, and ear drops. It’s also available as an injectable solution or an intraocular solution given after surgery. These two forms are given only by a healthcare provider. Dexamethasone oral tablet is used to treat many conditions.
What are some examples of drugs that can cause muscle cramps?
Diuretics ( water pills) When used with dexamethasone, these drugs reduce your body’s potassium levels. (Potassium is a mineral that helps your nerves, muscles, and organs work normally.) This can cause muscle cramps, weakness, tiredness, and an irregular heartbeat. Examples of these drugs include:
Why do older people not take drugs?
The kidneys and liver of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects .
What to do if you have serious side effects?
Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:
Can dexamethasone cause a rash?
Allergic reaction: Dexamethasone may cause an allergic reaction in rare cases. If you have trouble breathing, a rash, or itchy skin, or notice swelling of your arms, feet, or tongue, call your doctor immediately. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.
Does dexamethasone cause muscle cramps?
Using this drug with dexamethasone raises your risk of low potassium levels. (Potassium is a mineral that helps your nerves, muscles, and organs work normally.) This can cause muscle cramps, weakness, tiredness, and an irregular heartbeat.
Does dexamethasone make you sleepy?
Dexamethasone oral tablet doesn’t cause drowsiness, but it can cause other side effects.
What to do if you miss a dose of dexamethasone?
If you miss a dose of dexamethasone, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
What is dexamethasone used for?
Dexamethasone provides relief for inflamed areas of the body. It is used to treat a number of different conditions, such as inflammation (swelling), severe allergies, adrenal problems, arthritis, asthma, blood or bone marrow problems, kidney problems, skin conditions, and flare-ups of multiple sclerosis.
What is the Dexamethasone Intensol solution?
The Dexamethasone Intensol™ solution is a concentrated liquid. Measure the concentrated liquid with the special oral dropper that comes with the package. The liquid should be added to water, juice, soda or a soda-like beverage, applesauce, or pudding. Stir the mixture well and drink or eat it right away. Do not store the mixture for future use.
Can you take dexamethasone with rotavirus?
Rotavirus Vaccine, Live. Using dexamethasone with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Abametapir. Aceclofenac.
Can dexamethasone be given to elderly?
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric -specific problems that would limit the usefulness of dexamethasone in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have osteoporosis (weak bones) and age-related liver, kidney, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for elderly patients receiving dexamethasone.
Does dexamethasone cause cancer?
Using dexamethasone may increase your risk of cancer, including Kaposi's sarcoma. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about this risk.
Can dexamethasone be used for long term?
Precautions while using dexamethasone. If you will be taking dexamethasone for a long time, it is very important that your doctor check you at regular visits for any unwanted effects that may be caused by dexamethasone. Blood or urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
What are some other side effects of Dexamethasone Tablets?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
How to take dexamethasone?
Follow all instructions closely. Take in the morning if taking once a day. Take with food to prevent an upset stomach. Keep taking this medicine (dexamethasone tablets) as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
What is dexamethasone used for?
Uses of Dexamethasone Tablets: It is used for many health problems like allergy signs, asthma, adrenal gland problems, blood problems, skin rashes, or swelling problems. This is not a list of all health problems that this medicine ( dexamethasone tablets) may be used for. Talk with the doctor.
Can you take dexamethasone with all your medications?
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this medicine (dexamethasone tablets) with all of your drugs and health problems.
Can you take cholestyramine with dexamethasone?
If you take cholestyramine, you may need to take it at some other time than this medicine (dexamethasone tablets). Talk with your pharmacist.
Can you get a shot with dexamethasone?
Talk with your doctor before getting any vaccines. Use of some vaccines with this medicine (dexamethasone tablets) may either raise the chance of an infection or make the vaccine not work as well.
Can you get an infection from taking dexamethasone?
Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take this medicine (dexamethasone tablets). You may have more chance of getting an infection. Wash hands often. Stay away from people with infections, colds, or flu.
What medications interact with dexamethasone?
Common medications that may interact with dexamethasone include: antacids. antibiotics, such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, rifabutin, rifampin, or troleandomycin. anticholinesterases, such as neostigmine, or pyridostigmine.
What is the purpose of dexamethasone?
Dexamethasone may be used to treat conditions characterized by inflammation. Dexamethasone helps to reduce inflammation and calms down an overactive immune system.
How long does it take for dexamethasone to stop causing muscle pain?
Your doctor will advise you how to reduce the dosage of dexamethasone gradually over several weeks or months to allow the adrenal glands to return to their normal patterns of secretion. Too rapid a withdrawal of dexamethasone may cause symptoms such as bone and muscle pain, fatigue, weight loss, nausea, and vomiting.
How long does it take for dexamethasone to work?
Response and effectiveness. Peak effects of dexamethasone are reached within 10 to 30 minutes of administration; however, it may take a couple of days before any inflammation is well controlled. 7. Interactions.
What to do if you have a fever while taking dexamethasone?
Also, talk to your doctor if you notice any changes with your mood or any other worrying side effects. Wear a medical alert bracelet that states you are taking dexamethasone.
Does Dexamethasone affect heart?
May interact with a number of other drugs including aspirin, digoxin, NSAIDs, hormonal contraceptives, other drugs metabolized by CYP 3A4, and warfarin. Dexamethasone may cause low blood potassium levels which may affect how some heart medications work.
Does dexamethasone cause heart failure?
Dexamethasone may also increase the risk of infection and its anti-inflammatory action can mask signs of infection. May not be suitable for people with certain medical conditions such as heart failure, diabetes, osteoporosis, tuberculosis, cushingoid syndrome, and peptic ulcers.
