Dexamethasone Sodium

Dexamethasone Phosphate (as sodium) injection

Pack of 5 x 4mg.mL vials

Other names: Decadron

Dexamethasone Sodium Uses

This medication is used to treat various conditions such as severe allergic reactions, arthritis, blood diseases, breathing problems, certain cancers, eye diseases,M intestinal disorders, and skin diseases. It is also used to test for an adrenal gland disorder (Cushing's syndrome). It decreases your body's natural defensive response and reduces symptoms such as swelling and allergic-type reactions. Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid hormone (glucocorticoid). This injectable form of dexamethasone is used when a similar drug cannot be taken by mouth or when a very fast response is needed, especially in patients with severe medical conditions.

This drug may also be used with other medications as a replacement for certain hormones.

How To Use Dexamethasone Sodium

This medication is given by injection into a vein , muscle, joint, or skin wound by a health care professional as directed by your physician. Follow your physician's directions carefully. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often than prescribed without consulting your physician. Some patients (especially newborns) should receive the preservative-free form of this drug. In these patients, when mixing this form of the drug, be sure to use IV fluid that is also preservative-free. Use these mixtures within 24 hours. Before using this product, check it visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid.

If this medication is injected into a joint, be careful how much pressure you put on that joint, even if it is feeling better. Ask your physician how much you can move/use the joint while it is healing.

If you have been using this medication for a long time, do not suddenly stop using it without your physician's approval. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased to reduce symptoms such as weakness, weight loss, nausea, or extreme tiredness.

If you are giving yourself injections at home, learn how to prepare and inject this medication properly. Ask your physician, pharmacist, or nurse any questions you may have about how to give yourself dexamethasone. Learn how to store and discard needles, medical supplies, and any unused medication safely. Consult your pharmacist. Never reuse needles or syringes.

Tell your physician if your condition persists or worsens.

Dexamethasone Sodium Side Effects

Stomach upset, headache, dizziness, menstrual period changes, trouble sleeping, increased appetite, weight gain, or pain/redness/swelling at the injection site may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your physician or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your physician has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your physician immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:

• bone/joint pain
• easy bruising/bleeding
• black stools
• vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• severe stomach/abdominal pain
• increased thirst/urination
• fast/slow/pounding/irregular heartbeat
• shortness of breath
• swelling of the ankles/feet
• tendon pain
• persistent weight gain
• puffy face
• unusual hair growth
• thinning skin
• slow wound healing
• signs of infection (e.g., persistent fever/cough/sore throat, painful urination, eye pain/discharge)
• muscle weakness/pain
• mental/mood changes (e.g., mood swings, depression, agitation)
• vision changes
• seizures
• unusual skin growths

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:

• rash
• itching
• swelling
• severe dizziness
• trouble breathing

Dexamethasone Sodium Interactions

Your physician or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your physician or pharmacist first.

This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur:

• live vaccines
• mifepristone

If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your physician or pharmacist before starting dexamethasone.

Before using this medication, tell your physician or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of:

• aminoglutethimide
• large doses of aspirin and aspirin-like drugs (salicylates such as salsalate)
• birth control pills/patch/ring
• "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin)
• bupropion
• caspofungin
• cyclosporine
• certain cancer drugs (dasatinib, lapatinib, sunitinib, aldesleukin)
• diabetes medications (e.g., glyburide)
• digoxin
• drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove dexamethasone from your body (such as aprepitant, azole antifungals including ketoconazole, barbiturates including phenobarbital, macrolide antibiotics including erythromycin, rifamycins including rifampin, certain anti-seizure medications including phenytoin, carbamazepine)
• drugs that may cause potassium loss (e.g., amphotericin B, "water pills"/diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide)
• ephedrine
• estrogen hormone replacement
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., indinavir)
• isoniazid
• natalizumab
• quinolone antibiotics (e.g., levofloxacin)
• temsirolimus
• thalidomide

Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully since many medications contain pain relievers/fever reducers (NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen) that may increase the risk of stomach bleeding from this drug. Low-dose aspirin should be continued if prescribed by your physician for specific medical reasons such as heart attack or stroke prevention (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligram per day). Consult your physician or pharmacist for more details.

This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (including skin tests), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your physicians know you use this drug.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your physician or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your physician and pharmacist.

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