Decadron

There are many brands and forms of dexamethasone available. Not all brands are listed in this leaflet.

Decadron is a steroid that stops the body from releasing substances that cause inflammation.

Decadron is used to treat various conditions such as allergic disorders, skin conditions, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, or breathing disorders.

Decadron may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may change your dose from time to time. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Your dose needs may change if you have surgery, become ill, experience stress, or face a medical emergency. Inform your doctor about any situation that affects you.

This medicine can change the results of some medical tests. Inform any doctor who treats you that you are using Decadron.

Do not stop using Decadron suddenly, as this may cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.

In case of emergency, wear or carry medical identification to inform others that you use Decadron.

Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

You should not use this medicine 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.

You should not use Decadron if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• a fungal infection anywhere in your body.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease (such as cirrhosis);
• kidney disease;
• a thyroid disorder;
• malaria;
• tuberculosis;
• osteoporosis;
• a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis;
• diabetes (steroid medicine may increase glucose levels in your blood or urine);
• glaucoma or cataracts;
• herpes infection of the eyes;
• stomach ulcers, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease;
• depression or mental illness;
• congestive heart failure; or
• high blood pressure.

Steroid medication affects your immune system. You may get infections more easily. Steroids can also worsen or reactivate an infection you've already had. Tell your doctor about any illness or infection you have had within the past several weeks.

It is not known whether Decadron will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

You should not breastfeed while using Decadron.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Decadron may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have:

• muscle tightness, weakness, or a feeling of limpness;
• 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 that spreads 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.

Decadron can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using Decadron.

Common side effects of Decadron may include:

• fluid retention (swelling in your hands or ankles);
• increased appetite;
• mood changes, trouble sleeping;
• skin rash, bruising or discoloration;
• acne, increased sweating, increased hair growth;
• headache, dizziness;
• nausea, vomiting, upset stomach;
• changes in your menstrual periods; or
• changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Call your doctor for instructions if you forget to take a dose of Decadron.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

An overdose of dexamethasone is not expected to cause life-threatening symptoms. Long-term use of high doses can lead to thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chickenpox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using steroid medicine.

Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking Decadron.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using Decadron. The vaccine may not work as well during this time and may not fully protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, and varicella (chickenpox).

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications together. Some drugs can change the blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are currently taking. Many drugs can affect Decadron, especially:

• an antibiotic or antifungal medicine;
• birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy;
• insulin or oral diabetes medications;
• medicine for dementia or Parkinson's disease;
• a blood thinner—warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven; or
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)—aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete, and many other drugs may affect Decadron. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.