Dexamethasone Oral

Generic Name : Dexamethasone Oral

TradeName : Decadak, Decadak ST, Dexamag, Dexamethasone, Dexomet, Dexona, Dexona forte, Idizone, Wymesone, Millicortenol

Why it is prescribed (Indications) : Dexamethasone, a corticosteroid, similar to a natural hormone produced by your adrenal glands. It is used to manage certain severe allergic conditions, asthma, certain forms of arthritis, and skin, eye, thyroid, blood, and intestinal disorders.

When it is to be taken : Dexamethasone usually is taken once or twice a day. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully.

How it should be taken : Dexamethasone comes in the form of tablets, concentrate, and oral liquid. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose. You may mix the concentrate with juice or semisolid food. You may obtain a specially marked measuring spoon to be su

Special Instruction :
1. If you take dexamethasone for a long time, you probably will have periodic blood tests; X-rays; eye examinations; blood pressure, height, and weight measurements; and physical examinations.
2. Checkups are particularly important for children because dexamethasone can slow bone growth.
3. Dexamethasone must be taken regularly to be effective. However, do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer period than your doctor has directed.
4. If your symptoms persist or if your condition worsens, contact your doctor; your dose may need to be adjusted. Do not stop taking dexamethasone without consulting your doctor.
5. Stopping the drug abruptly can cause fever, joint and muscle pain, and a feeling of discomfort and uneasiness.
6. If you take large doses for a long time, your doctor probably will want to decrease your dose gradually to allow your body to adjust before stopping the drug completely.
7. Your doctor may instruct you to weigh yourself every day. Report any unusual weight gain.
8. Your doctor may instruct you to follow a low-sodium, low-salt, potassium-rich, or high-protein diet. Follow these directions.
9. When you start to take dexamethasone, ask your doctor what to do if you forget a dose. Write down these instructions so that you can refer to them later. In general, if you take dexamethasone once a day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. If you do not remember the missed dose until it is time for your next dose, omit the missed dose completely and take only the regularly scheduled dose. If you take more than one dose a day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it; then take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. If you remember a missed dose when it is time for you to take another dose, you may take both doses at one time.

Side Effects :
1. Nausea, vomiting, stomach irritation. Take this medication with food or milk. If these effects persist or if your stools become black and tarry, contact your doctor.
2. Headache, dizziness, insomnia, unusual moods, thinned skin, increased sweating, increased hair growth, reddened face, easy bruising, tiny purple skin spots, irregular or absentmenstrual periods. If these effects persist or become severe, contact your doctor.
3. Long-term therapy problems are weight gain; swollen feet, ankles, and lower legs; muscle pain and weakness; eye pain; vision problems; puffy skin; a cold or infection that lasts a long time. Contact your doctor.

Other Precautions :
1. Before you take dexamethasone, tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially aspirin, arthritis medication, anticoagulants, diuretics, ephedrine, estrogen, phenytoin, rifampin, and phenobarbital.
2. Do not have a vaccination, other immunization, or any skin test while you are taking dexamethasone unless your doctor specifically tells you that you may.
3. Before you take dexamethasone, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor.
4. Before you take dexamethasone, tell your doctor your entire medical history, particularly if you have liver, kidney, intestinal, or heart disease; an under active thyroid gland; high blood pressure; mental illness; myasthenia gravis; osteoporosis; herpes eye infection: or a history of seizures, ulcers, or blood clots.
5. Report any injuries or signs of infection that occur during treatment and within 12 months after treatment with dexamethasone. Your dose may need to be adjusted or you may need to start taking the drug again.
6. Tell every doctor, dentist, and surgeon who treats you that you take dexamethasone.

Storage Conditions :
1. Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children.
2. Store it at room temperature.