Dexamethasone

Dexamethasone

Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid. They are a copy of a hormone that is naturally made in bodies. You can get it only on prescription; it comes in tablets, soluble tablets, and a liquid. 

How Does Dexamethasone Work?

Dexamethasone exerts its effects by modulating the body's immune response and reducing inflammation. It does so by inhibiting the production and release of substances in the body that trigger inflammation and immune responses. This anti-inflammatory action makes it valuable in treating a wide range of conditions.

What is Dexamethasone Used For?

This steroid is used to treat a wide variety of health conditions. It is used in hospitals to treat serious patients with COVID-19 and other infections. It can also reduce the side effects of cancer treatment. It has other uses as well, like:    

• Arthritis
• Blood or hormonal disorders
• Allergic reactions
• Skin diseases
• Eye issues
• Breathing problems
• Bowel disorders
• Immune system disorders

How and when to take Dexamethasone?

Following the doctor's instructions when taking this medicine is crucial. Always follow the guidelines provided by them while taking Dexamethasone. 

The doctors can usually suggest you take it after a meal, a snack or eating. Eating it on an empty stomach is not advised. The soluble tablets can be dissolved in a glass of water and injected. For other tablets, you can swallow them with a glass of water. 

For the liquid Dexamethasone, there is a plastic spoon or syringe with it that can help you measure the right dose. 

What are the side effects of Dexamethasone?

You should contact your doctor right away if you have any of the following problems:

• High blood pressure
• Reactions like a rash or itching or hives or swelling of the face lips, tongue or throat
• Signs of blood sugar, such as feeling really thirsty or needing to urinate frequently, feeling unusually tired or having blurred vision
• Signs of an infection, including having a fever or chills, a sore throat, a cough or painful or difficult urination or wounds that are healing slowly
• Symptoms of decreased function, such as feeling nauseous or vomiting or losing your appetite or feeling dizzy or having unusual fatigue
• Signs of stomach or intestinal bleeding, such as having bloody stools or vomiting blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• Swelling in your hands, feet, or ankles
• Symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome include weight gain around the face or neck or abdomen, and things like stretch marks, easy bruising or increased hair growth
• Changes in your mood, behaviour, or mental health, including things like anxiety, confusion, depression, hallucinations or even suicidal thoughts

Some side effects of the medication are more common and are usually not too bad. These may include:

• Acne
• Headache
• Nausea
• Increased appetite
• Trouble sleeping
• Fatigue
• Weight gain

This is not a list of possible side effects of the medication. If you notice any symptoms or have concerns about how you are feeling, you should contact your healthcare provider.

What precautions should be taken?    

Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid with many long-term side effects and must be monitored carefully with long-term use. Important precautions include:

• Follow up with blood and urine tests regularly, especially if treated for an extended period.  
• Dexamethasone tablet use in pregnancy can be harmful. If you are pregnant, dexamethasone may cause harm to your unborn child; therefore, you should use effective birth control during treatment and for one month after.  
• Prolonged or high doses of dexamethasone can suppress adrenal gland function. You should not abruptly stop taking dexamethasone.  
• Dexamethasone can lower your body's immune system. You should avoid being around anyone who is sick and promptly report any fevers or sore throats to your physician.  
• Without medical approval, do not receive live vaccines while on dexamethasone.  
• Any blurred vision or problems with vision should be reported to your physician immediately.  
• Any unexplained pain or weakness of the muscle should be reported to your physician.  
• Dexamethasone may cause depressed moods, mood swings, and change in behavior.  
• If you become critically ill or require surgery, your physician may change your dose of dexamethasone.  
• Make sure you inform all healthcare providers of any medications or supplements you take with dexamethasone.  

Dexamethasone should always be prescribed by a physician; if you have been prescribed dexamethasone for a prolonged time, arrangements should be made for your physician to monitor your use of dexamethasone closely. 

What if I missed the dose of Dexamethasone?

If you forget to take a dose of Dexamethasone but have been taking it once daily, take it as soon as you remember. However, skip the missed dose if it's time for the next scheduled dosage. 

If you take Dexamethasone 2-3 times a day, take the dose quickly when you remember as long as there are more than 2 hours until the next one. If not, directly take the next one.

Taking a double dose for forgetting is not recommended. 

What if there is an overdose of Dexamethasone?

Do not take an overdose on this medication for faster results, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have overdosed with this medication by mistake and have severe side effects of this. 

What are the storage conditions for Dexamethasone?

Store this medication at normal room temperature away from direct sunlight and heat. Also, store it far from the reach of children and pets. 

Drug Interaction

The chances of side effects can increase if taken with other medicines. 

Consult your doctor if you take the following medicines: 

• Warfarin
• Rifampicin and rifabutin
• Antifungal medicine
• Medicine for epilepsy like phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbitone, primidone
• Stomach antacids or other medicine for stomach issues
• Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs like a high dose of aspirin for pain relief, ibuprofen, diclofenac
• Medicine for HIV
• Recent vaccination or if you are due one.

Medical Issues

It's important to inform your doctor of any health conditions you may have, particularly blood clots, cataracts, heart failure, etc., before taking this medication, as it could make these conditions worse. Be careful when using this medication, as it could potentially make the conditions listed here worse.

Do not take this medication if you currently have a fungal/yeast infection or herpes simplex eye infection. If you are infected, this medication could decrease your chances of fighting this infection due to your body being unable to produce enough antibodies.

How quickly does Dexamethasone show results?

The peak effects of Dexamethasone are reached within 10-30 mins of administering it. 

Dexamethasone is prescription only. Therefore consult a doctor before taking the medicine. Ensure you have discussed prior medical conditions and ongoing medicines with your doctor before taking the medicine.

How safe is Dexamethasone?

Corticosteroids, like dexamethasone, are usually safe. Their advantages are much greater than the potential drawbacks, especially for patients with severe pneumonia. It's possible that they might raise blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia), so doctors should keep an eye on this, especially for patients with diabetes.

Storage and Disposal

You should keep this medication where children and pets cannot get to it.

The medication should be stored at room temperature, which is between 20°C and 25°C or 68°F and 77°F, and you should keep it away from light. Do not use the medication after it expires.
Disposal:

The best thing to do with expired medication is to take it back to a medication take-back program. You can ask your pharmacy if they know of any options.

If there is no take-back program, you should follow the instructions on the label for getting rid of the medication.

If it is safe to throw the medication in your household trash, you should take it out of its container and mix it with something that is not nice, like old coffee grounds or dirt or cat litter. Then you should put it in a bag or a container seal it up and throw it away in the trash.

Comparison of a Dexamethasone medicine with a Glycerol

FAQs

1. What is Dexamethasone used for?

Dexamethasone is used to treat various conditions, including inflammatory disorders, autoimmune diseases, allergies, and some types of cancer.

2. What are the common side effects of Dexamethasone?

Common side effects may include increased appetite, weight gain, mood changes, insomnia, and increased blood pressure.

3. Is Dexamethasone safe for children?

Dexamethasone can be used in children, but the dosage and duration should be carefully monitored by a pediatrician.

4. Can Dexamethasone be used to treat COVID-19?

Dexamethasone has been used to treat severe cases of COVID-19 to reduce inflammation in the lungs and improve outcomes. However, it should only be used under medical supervision.

5. Are there any dietary restrictions while taking Dexamethasone?

It's generally advisable to follow a healthy diet while taking Dexamethasone, as it can lead to weight gain and other metabolic changes.

6. Is dexamethasone a sleeping tablet?

No, it is not a sleeping tablet; rather, it is a corticosteroid used to treat inflammation and some other conditions.

7. Why is dexamethasone not given at night?

It is usually taken in the morning because it can cause insomnia and restlessness, which can interfere with sleep.

8. Does dexamethasone make you sleepy or awake?

It can make some people feel awake, restless and more alert. However, the effects might vary.

9. How long should dexamethasone be taken?

It is usually taken for the shortest period possible as recommended by the doctor.

10. Does dexamethasone increase heart rate?

Yes, it can cause an increased heart rate; however, this is not very common.

11. Can I stop dexamethasone after 3 days?

Yes, it can be stopped if it is being taken for a short period, like a few days. However, it is best to consult the doctor.

12. How long do side effects last from dexamethasone?

The side effects last for a few days after the medication is stopped.

13. Does dexamethasone cause constipation?

Constipation is not common with this medication, though it can cause some gastrointestinal side effects in some people.

14. How long do the side effects of dexamethasone last?

Dexamethasone side effects will likely improve within several days after stopping medication, though some will be prolonged depending on the amount and duration that the medication was used and how your body reacted.

15. What forms of dexamethasone are available?

Dexamethasone is available in several forms, such as pills, solution, injection,eye drops, or ear drops to suit the illness.

16. Does dexamethasone require a prescription?

Yes. Dexamethasone requires a prescription from a doctor.

17. Is dexamethasone an antibiotic?

No, it does not act like an antibiotic but rather works to reduce inflammation and limit swelling as well as immune system reaction in the body.

18. Can dexamethasone affect growth in children?

If a Child has had long-term use of the dexamethasone drug, there are some side effects on the growth pattern. Monitoring by a physician will be needed in a child's prolonged use of dexamethasone.

19. Is regular monitoring required during long-term dexamethasone treatment?

A continual observation may need to be monitored with blood sugar, blood pressure, bones, and eyes to help limit some of the risks associated with prolonged dexamethasone use.

20. Is dexamethasone a high-risk drug?

Yes. Since it is high-risk, dexamethasone must be strictly followed as per a doctor or physician's recommendation, and care should be maintained to limit long-term use.

21. Does dexamethasone affect sleep?

Side effects of dexamethasone can include insomnia. If this becomes bothersome for an individual taking dexamethasone and the drug must be taken over a prolonged period, a health professional should be consulted on the possibilities of taking it earlier in the day.

22. Can dexamethasone increase the risk of infections?

Dexamethasone dampens the function of the immune system, so an infection risk is a side effect of the use of this drug, especially for long-term use or the intake of high doses.

References

https://www.drugs.com/pro/Dexamethasone-injection.html#:~:text=Store%20at%2020%C2%B0%20to,Protect%20from%20light. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/Dexamethasone-oral-route/precautions/drg-20075207#:~:text=Talk%20to%20your%20doctor%20right,or%20unusual%20tiredness%20or%20weakness.
https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-1027-5021/Dexamethasone-oral/Dexamethasone-oral/details
https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/Dexamethasone-tablets-and-liquid/#:~:text=When%20prescribed%20in%20doses%20higher,help%20calm%20your%20immune%20system

Disclaimer: The information provided here is not meant to substitute an advice from a healthcare professional. The information is not intended to cover all the possible uses, side-effects, precautions, and drug interactions. This information is not intended to suggest that using a specific drug is suitable, safe, or efficient for you or anyone else. The absence of any information or warning regarding the drug should not be interpreted as an implicit guarantee from the organisation. We strongly advise you to consult a doctor if you have any concerns about the drug and never use the medication without a doctor’s prescription.