Understanding Dexamethasone

Dexamethasone is a strong prescription that helps reduce inflammation! Patients take this drug orally or topically most of the time. However, it is also available through an intravenous line. When they take it orally, this medication is offered as a tablet or liquid. This medication handles eye conditions in eye drop form! Unfortunately, it has many side effects, including severe ones. Thus, patients taking it require close monitoring. They must tell their doctor about all side effects. They need to talk to them immediately about signs of infection!

This medication is a significant treatment for ulcerative colitis. Of course, a dexamethasone pill also works as an effective arthritis treatment! In addition, patients use this drug as an eczema treatment. It works as a topical medication for psoriasis and other skin conditions as well. However, patients must understand how this prescription works first!

How It Works

Dexamethasone is a powerful medication. It is a corticosteroid! Medications in this class reduce inflammation and weaken the immune system. This particular one is no different! It decreases inflammation by preventing white blood cells from getting to the site of inflammation. However, white blood cells are the ones that fight infections. This is why this drug makes individuals more susceptible to infection! It helps treat adrenal insufficiency by replacing hormones that the adrenal glands should have released. Research indicates that this drug also works by triggering the death of certain cells!

Continue reading to learn about the uses for this medication next.

Uses

Dexamethasone treats multiple forms of arthritis, such as gout and rheumatoid arthritis! This medication also reduces flares in many patients. The conditions it helps do this in include ulcerative colitis and multiple sclerosis. Evidence shows that it benefits myasthenia gravis patients as well! Some patients take this medication for eczema and severe psoriasis. It also helps treat other skin conditions!

This drug is also common before chemotherapy to reduce side effects and inflammation. It treats several cancers as well, including leukemia and multiple myeloma! This drug even treats the swelling that occurs in spinal cord and brain tumors. More examples of this medication's uses include treating allergic reactions and eye inflammation. It also helps treat diseases that trigger breathing issues.

Reveal the side effects of this medication next.

Side Effects

Of course, dexamethasone has a variety of side effects! The most common ones that patients report include blurry vision, dizziness, mood changes, and headaches. Patients often experience anxiety, agitation, and irritability as well! Other side effects of this medication include depression and trouble walking or speaking. Certain individuals even experience difficulties thinking! Many patients have an increased appetite on this medication. This is why weight gain is often a side effect. Decreased urination, irregular heart rhythm, heartbeat changes, and a tingling sensation in the arms and legs are also side effects. Some patients also experience swelling in their hands and feet!

Of course, there are less common side effects as well! They include pain in the abdomen, backaches, and eye pain. Abdominal swelling, red face, skin lightening, and hair loss are less common also! Patients must inform their doctor about all of their side effects. Doctors recommend patients on how to manage them. This includes changing the dose or switching medications!

Discover the precautions with this drug next.

Precautions

Doctors must know a patient's full medical history before prescribing dexamethasone. The reason is that certain patients cannot take this medication! This includes those with fungal infections. Patients with a history of diabetes, liver disease, or thyroid problems cannot take it either. Doctors must prescribe another medication for diabetes patients. This one increases their blood sugar! Patients must also mention a history of depression, stomach ulcers, and high blood pressure. Heart failure is also vital to mention. This medication puts individuals at a higher risk of infection. It is because it suppresses their immune system!

Patients on this drug who believe that they have been exposed to chickenpox or measles must contact their doctor right away. They need prompt treatment to prevent complications! In addition, individuals must not get vaccines with live viruses when they take this drug. This medication also means that the vaccines are less effective on them! Patients must talk to their doctor about stopping this medication. Doing so improperly causes withdrawal!

Get the details on the medication interactions next.

Medication Interactions

Dexamethasone has over 650 medication interactions. Over one hundred of these are major ones! This is why patients need to inform their doctor of all their current medications. The list must include prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and supplements! The pharmacist will check this list as well! Verifying current medications helps prevent interactions.

This drug interacts with many cancer medicines. One example is rilpivirine! Thus, patients must not take it with these medications. In addition, this drug makes some of these medicines less effective. One example of this is dasatinib. Patients need adjusted doses when they have to have both medications! Close monitoring is also essential. Other interactions exist with blood thinners, antiplatelets, and some anti-inflammatories. Thus, patients must practice caution! Patients taking Aspirin every day must talk to their doctor about this. They often need to discontinue it while they are on this prescription.