$Unique_ID{BRK03118} $Pretitle{} $Title{dexamethasone (systemic)} $Subject{Decadron Merck Sharp Dohme Dexameth Major Dexone Reid-Rowell Hexadrol Organon Adrenocorticosteroid hormone dexamethasone fluid balance temperature reaction inflammation cortisone-like endocrine rheumatic disorders asthma diseases blood cancers eye disorders gastrointestinal disturbances ulcerative colitis respiratory inflammations arthritis dermatitis poison ivy } $Volume{} $Log{ Decadron*0311801.scf} Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd. dexamethasone (systemic) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers) Decadron (Merck Sharp & Dohme) Dexameth (Major) dexamethasone (various manufacturers) Dexone (Reid-Rowell) Hexadrol (Organon) TYPE OF DRUG Adrenocorticosteroid hormone INGREDIENT dexamethasone DOSAGE FORMS Tablets (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 0.75 mg, 1 mg, 1.5 mg, 2 mg, 4 mg, and 6 mg) Oral elixir (0.5 mg per 5-ml spoonful, with 5% alcohol) Oral solution (0.5 mg per 5-ml spoonful) Oral concentrate (0.5 mg per 0.5 ml, with 30% alcohol) STORAGE Dexamethasone should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed container. USES Your adrenal glands naturally produce certain cortisone-like chemicals. These chemicals are involved in various regulatory processes in the body (such as those involving fluid balance, temperature, and reaction to inflammation). Dexamethasone belongs to a group of drugs known as adrenocorticosteroids (or cortisone-like medications). It is used to treat a variety of disorders, including endocrine and rheumatic disorders; asthma; blood diseases; certain cancers; eye disorders; gastrointestinal disturbances, such as ulcerative colitis; respiratory diseases; and inflammations such as arthritis, dermatitis, and poison ivy. How this drug acts to relieve these disorders is not completely understood. TREATMENT In order to prevent stomach irritation, you can take dexamethasone with food or milk. If you are taking only one dose of this medication each day, try to take it before 9:00 a.m. This will mimic the body's normal production of this type of chemical. The oral elixir and solution forms of this medication should be measured carefully with a specially designed 5-ml measuring spoon. An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is not accurate enough. The oral concentrate may be diluted in juice, other liquids, or semi-solid foods like applesauce. It is important to try not to miss any doses of dexamethasone. However, if you do miss a dose of this medication, follow these guidelines: 1. If you are taking this medication more than once a day, take the missed dose as soon as possible and return to your regular schedule. If it is already time for the next dose of medication, double the dose. 2. If you are taking this medication once a day, take the dose you missed as soon as possible, unless you don't remember until the next day. In that case, do not take the missed dose at all, just follow your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the next dose. 3. If you are taking this drug every other day, take it as soon as you remember. If you missed the scheduled time by a whole day, take it when you remember, then skip a day before you take the next dose. Do not double the next dose. If you miss more than one dose of dexamethasone, CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR. SIDE EFFECTS Minor. Dizziness, false sense of well-being, fatigue, increased appetite, increased sweating, indigestion, leg cramps, menstrual irregularities, muscle weakness, nausea, reddening of the skin on the face, restlessness, sleep disorders, thinning of the skin, or weight gain. These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication. To help avoid potassium loss while using this drug, you can take your dose with a glass of fresh or frozen orange juice, or eat a banana each day. The use of a salt substitute also helps to prevent potassium loss. Check with your doctor before changing your diet or using a salt substitute. Major. Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about abdominal enlargement or pain; acne or other skin problems; back or rib pain; bloody or black, tarry stools; blurred vision; convulsions; eye pain; fever and sore throat; growth impairment (in children); headaches; impaired healing of wounds; increased thirst and urination; mental depression; mood changes; muscle wasting; nightmares; peptic ulcers; rapid weight gain (three to five pounds within a week); rash; shortness of breath; unusual bleeding or bruising; or unusual weakness. INTERACTIONS This drug interacts with several other types of drugs: 1. Alcohol, aspirin, and anti-inflammatory medications (such as diclofenac, diflunisal, fenoprofen, flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, piroxicam, sulindac, and tolmetin) aggravate the stomach problems that may occur with use of this medication. 2. The dosage of oral anticoagulants (blood thinners, such as warfarin), oral antidiabetic drugs, or insulin may need to be altered when this medication is started or stopped. 3. The loss of potassium caused by this medication can lead to serious side effects in individuals taking digoxin. 4. Thiazide diuretics (water pills) can increase the potassium loss caused by dexamethasone. 5. Phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampin, and ephedrine can increase the elimination of dexamethasone from the body, thereby decreasing its effectiveness. 6. Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) and estrogen-containing drugs may decrease the elimination of this drug from the body, which can lead to an increase in side effects. 7. Dexamethasone can increase the elimination of aspirin and isoniazid from the body, thereby decreasing the effectiveness of these two medications. 8. Cholestyramine and colestipol can chemically bind this medication in the stomach and gastrointestinal tract, preventing its absorption. BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed above. WARNINGS * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to any medications, especially to dexamethasone or other adrenocorticosteroids (such as alcometasone, amcinonide, betamethasone, clobetasol, clocortolone, cortisone, desonide, desoximetasone, diflorasone, flumethasone, fluocinolone, fluocinonide, fluorometholone, flurandrenolide, halcinonide, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, paramethasone, prednisolone, prednisone, and triamcinolone). * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had bone disease, diabetes mellitus, emotional instability, glaucoma, fungal infections, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, myasthenia gravis, peptic ulcers, osteoporosis, thyroid disease, tuberculosis, ulcerative colitis, kidney disease, or liver disease. * If you are using this medication for longer than a week, you may need to receive higher doses if you are subjected to stress, such as serious infections, injury, or surgery. Discuss this with your doctor. * If you have been taking this drug for more than one or two weeks, do not stop taking it suddenly. If it is stopped abruptly, you may experience abdominal or back pain, dizziness, extreme weakness, fainting, fever, muscle or joint pain, nausea, vomiting, or shortness of breath. Your doctor may, therefore, want to reduce the dosage gradually. Never increase the dosage or take the drug for longer than the prescribed time, unless you first consult your doctor. * While you are taking this drug, you should not be vaccinated or immunized. This medication decreases the effectiveness of vaccines and can lead to infection if a live-virus vaccine is administered. * Before having surgery or other medical or dental treatment, tell your doctor or dentist you are taking this drug. * Because this drug can cause glaucoma and cataracts with long-term use, your doctor may want to have your eyes examined by an ophthalmologist periodically during treatment. * If you are taking this medication for prolonged periods, you should wear or carry an identification card or notice stating that you are taking an adrenocorticosteroid. * This drug can raise blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. Blood sugar should, therefore, be monitored carefully with blood or urine tests when this drug is being taken. * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. This drug crosses the placenta and may cause adverse effects in the fetus. Birth defects have been observed in the offspring of animals that were given large doses of this type of drug during pregnancy. Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. Small amounts of this drug pass into breast milk and may cause growth suppression or a decrease in natural adrenocorticosteroid production in the nursing infant. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.