Has your doctor prescribed Dexamethasone to you or anyone in your family? It could be for asthma, arthritis, allergies, or something else. It is a very useful drug that is used to treat many diseases. However, like any other drug, there are a few things we need to be aware of when using it. Let's talk about that today.
What kind of medicine is Dexamethasone?
Simply put, this is a type of steroid. Medically speaking, it belongs to the corticosteroid class of drugs. It mainly helps in controlling conditions like swelling and inflammation in our body.
Imagine that you have inflammation in your skin, lungs, joints, or other organs. This medicine works by reducing that inflammation and giving you relief. Here are some of the most common situations in which this medicine is given:
- Asthma
- Various allergies (Allergies)
- Joint diseases such as arthritis
- Some blood-related diseases
- Diseases related to the adrenal glands
In addition to this, doctors recommend this medicine for a number of other diseases.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
Before giving you this medicine, your doctor will need to know your complete health history. This is because people with certain medical conditions need to be very careful when giving this medicine. Therefore, if you have any of the following medical conditions, be sure to tell your doctor.
| Medical condition / information | Description |
|---|---|
| Existing medical conditions | Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, glaucoma, liver or kidney disease, thyroid problems, or a previous heart attack. |
| Specific diseases | Cushing's syndrome, myasthenia gravis, osteoporosis, seizures. |
| Infections | If you currently have or have recently developed any type of infection, such as herpes, measles, chickenpox, or tuberculosis. |
| Mental health | Any kind of mental illness. |
| Stomach/intestinal problems | Problems such as stomach or intestinal ulcers. |
| Allergies | If you are allergic to dexamethasone, other steroids, lactose, other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes. |
| Special occasions | If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
How should I use the medicine?
It is very important to follow your doctor's instructions exactly on how to use this medicine.
- Take this medicine with a glass of water.
- It is best to drink it with a meal or a glass of milk to reduce stomach upset.
- If you only have to take the medicine once a day, taking it in the morning can reduce side effects.
- Never take more than the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
Very important: Stopping this medicine suddenly can be dangerous. Doing so can cause a serious reaction. If your doctor decides that you need to stop taking this medicine, the dose will be gradually reduced to avoid side effects. Therefore, do not stop taking this medicine without medical advice.
Special information about children and adults
Special care is needed when giving this medicine to children. Also, people over the age of 65 may have a stronger reaction to this medicine. Therefore, they may be prescribed a lower dose.
What to do if you overdose or forget to take your medication?
Overdose
If you think you have taken too much medicine, don't panic. Go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
If you forget a dose (Missed dose)
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the usual time. Never take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose without first asking your doctor. If you are in doubt, talk to your doctor.
Other medications that may interact with dexamethasone
You should tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, herbs, and even vitamins, as some medications can interact with Dexamethasone.
| Do not take Dexamethasone with these | |
|---|---|
| Live virus vaccines | E.g.: Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), chickenpox vaccine. |
| Inform your doctor if you are taking Dexamethasone with these | |
| Painkillers | NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. |
| Diabetes medicine | Insulin or other diabetes pills. |
| Antibiotics and antifungals | Medicines like Erythromycin and Ketoconazole. |
| Medicine for seizures | Medications such as Phenobarbital and Phenytoin. |
| Blood thinners | Warfarin |
| Other | Birth control pills, Digoxin, Cyclosporine, Thalidomide, and many other medications. |
This list is not complete, so it's safest to tell your doctor about every medication you take.
Things to keep in mind when taking medication
- Medical Checkups: Visit your doctor regularly to check how you are doing. If your symptoms are not improving or getting worse, let them know.
- Risk of infection: This medicine may lower your immunity a little. Therefore, you are more likely to get sick. Tell your doctor if you develop symptoms like fever, cold, or sore throat. Try to stay away from people who have illnesses like measles or chickenpox.
- Surgery: If you are having surgery or other medical procedures in the future, tell your doctor that you are using this medicine or have used it within the past 12 months.
- Diet: Talk to your doctor about your diet. He or she may advise you to reduce your salt intake .
- Blood sugar: This medicine may increase blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, you need to be especially careful about this. Check your blood sugar levels regularly.
Side effects of the medicine
Like any medication, Dexamethasone can cause side effects. Some are serious, while others are common.
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately |
|---|
|
| Things to tell your doctor if they persist or are bothersome |
|
If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned in this list, talk to your doctor.
How to store medicine?
- Keep it in a safe place out of reach of children.
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius) away from light.
- Throw away any medicine left after the expiration date.
Take-Home Message
- Dexamethasone is a powerful medicine that controls inflammation and allergies. Always take the dose and schedule prescribed by your doctor.
- Avoid stopping the medication suddenly without medical advice for any reason.
- Tell your doctor about all other medical conditions you have and all other medications you are taking.
- While taking the medicine, be aware of signs of infection such as fever, colds, and blood sugar levels.
- If you have any questions or concerns about this medication, discuss them with your doctor.
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