Alin; Brulin; Decadron; Decadronal; Decorex; Dexafrin Ofteno; Dibasona; Etacortilen; Examsa; Metax
Anti-inflammatory Agent; Anti-inflammatory Agent, Ophthalmic; Antiemetic; Corticosteroid, Ophthalmic; Corticosteroid, Systemic
• This medicine does not mix well with many medicines. Serious reactions may occur. Check all medicines with healthcare provider.
• If you have an allergy to dexamethasone or any other part of this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• If you have any of the following conditions: Herpes, tuberculosis or yeast infection of the eye, malaria infection in the brain, or serious yeast infection.
• Dexamethasone replaces an important chemical produced in the body.
• It prevents or reduces irritation and swelling.
• It blocks the allergic reaction by minimizing or preventing the body's reaction to the allergen.
• It decreases the body's harmful response to diseases affecting the immune system.
Oral:
• Take this medicine in the morning if taking once a day.
• Take this medicine with food to prevent stomach upset.
• A liquid (concentrate, elixir, solution) is available if you cannot swallow pills.
• Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.
• Take calcium and vitamin D as recommended by healthcare provider.
Eye:
• For the eye only.
• Wash hands before and after use.
• Take out contact lenses before using medicine. Lenses can be replaced 15 minutes after medicine is given. Do not put contacts back in if eyes are irritated or infected.
• Shake suspension well before use.
• Do not touch the container tip to the eye, lid, or other skin.
• Tilt head back and drop medicine into eye.
• After using medicine, keep your eyes closed. Apply pressure to the inside corner of the eye. Do this for 3-5 minutes. This keeps the medicine in your eye.
• Separate each eye medicine by 5 minutes.
Injection:
• This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or vein.
• Use a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
• Do not use a double dose or extra doses.
• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
• Check blood sugar as directed by healthcare provider.
• Store at room temperature.
• Protect tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
• The injection will be given to you in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.
• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
Created: 2006-10-13 11:52:11.0
Modified: 2010-03-25 14:07:46.0
Lexi-PALS TM © (1977)-(2007) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.
• This medicine is used as an adrenal hormone replacement.
• This medicine is used to relieve allergy symptoms.
• This medicine is used to treat Addison's disease.
• This medicine is used to treat arthritis.
• This medicine is used to treat asthma.
• This medicine is used to treat brain swelling.
• This medicine is used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• This medicine is used to treat diseases where the anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressant properties are needed.
• This medicine is used to treat eye inflammation.
• This medicine is used to treat inflamed areas of the body.
• This medicine is used to treat leukemia.
• This medicine is used to treat lymphoma.
• This medicine is used to treat organ transplantation.
• This medicine is used to treat sarcoidosis.
• This medicine is used to treat a variety of skin rashes.
• This medicine is used to treat spinal cord injuries.
• This medicine is used to treat ulcerative colitis.
• This medicine is used to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting.
All forms:
• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
Oral and injection:
• If you have been taking this medicine for several weeks, talk with healthcare provider before stopping. You may want to gradually withdraw this medicine.
• Wear disease medical alert identification.
• Talk with healthcare provider before receiving any vaccinations. Use with this medicine may either increase the risk of serious infection or make the vaccination less effective.
• Do not run out of this medicine.
• Avoid exposure to chickenpox and measles.
• Do not take antacids within 2 hours of this medicine.
• If you have diabetes, talk with healthcare provider. This medicine can increase blood sugar.
• If you have glaucoma or cataracts, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have high blood pressure, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you are being treated for any infection, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have osteoporosis, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have stomach ulcers, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have tuberculosis, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have a weakened heart, talk with healthcare provider.
• Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers that you use this medicine.
• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
Oral and injection:
• High blood sugar. Can cause diabetes mellitus while on medicine, usually reverses when stopped.
• Risk of infection. Avoid people with infections, colds, or flu.
• Belly pain.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
• Mood changes.
• Weight gain.
• Change in body fat distribution.
• Weakened bones with long-term use.
• Muscle weakness.
• Skin changes (acne, stretch marks, slow healing, hair growth).
• Cataracts or glaucoma with long-term use.
• For females, vaginal yeast infection. Report itching or discharge.
Eye:
• Increased eye pressure.
• Eye infection.
• Eye irritation.
• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.
• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
• Feeling extremely tired, weak, or irritable; trembling; having a fast heartbeat, confusion, sweating, or dizziness if you missed a dose or recently stopped this medicine.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Severe nausea or vomiting.
• Significant weight gain.
• Sudden change in vision, eye pain, or irritation.
• If exposure to chickenpox has occurred and you have not had chickenpox or been vaccinated against it.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
Baycadron™; Dexamethasone Intensol™; DexPak® 10 Day TaperPak®; DexPak® 13 Day TaperPak®; DexPak® 6 Day TaperPak®; DexPak® TaperPak® [DSC]; Maxidex®
