Dexamethasone is an anti-inflammatory drug that belongs to the class of corticosteroids. Initially, the FDA approved dexamethasone for its medical use in 1958. 

 It is used to relieve inflammation (swelling, heat, redness, and pain) in various diseases of multiple organs, including serious illnesses such as severe allergic reactions, shock caused by infection or tuberculosis, skin disorders, endocrine disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, blood disorders, nervous and renal diseases, eye conditions, and rheumatic disorders. It is also used to treat certain types of cancer. It was also used as a treatment for COVID-19 in adult and adolescent patients. It acts by reducing inflammation and suppressing the immune system.

Dexamethasone is available as an oral tablet and solution for injection. It is a prescription medicine. Your doctor will decide the dose and frequency of the medicine. Take dexamethasone as prescribed by your doctor. Take this tablet by mouth. Swallow the tablets whole with water. Do not break, chew, or crush the tablets. Take the tablet with food to avoid stomach upset. 
The injection will be given to you by your doctor or nurse. Dexamethasone injection is administered intravenously (into your vein) or intramuscularly (into your muscle), depending on your disease condition. It can sometimes also be given by injection under the skin (subcutaneously) to relieve certain symptoms, including pain, tiredness, weight loss, and feeling and being sick.

The common side effects of dexamethasone are increased blood pressure, decreased body growth, abnormal vision, cataract, discomfort in the eye, dry eyes, depression, stomach ulcers, tiredness, increased appetite, weight gain, and skin problems. Other serious side effects include bone problems, inflammation in heart muscles, inflammation of the pancreas, glaucoma, increased blood sugar levels, and decreased potassium levels.

This medicine may cause severe hypersensitivity reactions. Inform your doctor if you have any swelling in the face, body, cough, shortness of breath, and, itchy skin. This medicine can make it harder to fight infections. Tell your doctor if you have any signs of infections, such as fever, sore throat, or cough. Avoid pregnancy during the treatment because it may cause serious birth defects. Use effective birth control methods to avoid pregnancy during the treatment and for at least 1 month after your last dose. Do not breastfeed for at least 2 weeks after your last dose.

Inform your physician about all the prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, nutritional or vitamin supplements, nasal flu vaccine, and herbal products that you are currently taking or have taken before. Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to dexamethasone, sulfites, or other ingredients of this medicine and if you have fungal infections. Inform your doctor if you have liver, kidney, heart disease, respiratory disorders, diabetes, eye problems, seizures, infections, tuberculosis, or psychiatric illness before starting the treatment with this medicine. Your healthcare professional may advise you to take certain blood tests to monitor the effectiveness and side effects of the therapy. 

Inform your physician if you have any changes in your vision and facing difficulty in driving or operating machinery. If you are on long-term treatment with dexamethasone, avoid getting vaccinations because this may interact with the medicine. Inform your physician if you have kidney problems before starting the treatment since dose adjustments may be necessary.  Avoid exposure to chicken pox or measles. 

1. Dexamethasone 2mg Tablets - Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) - (emc) [Internet]. www.medicines.org.uk. [Revised 2022] [cited 2023 Mar 17]. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/5411/pil
2. DECADRON ® (DEXAMETHASONE TABLETS, USP) [Internet]. [cited 2023 Mar 17]. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2004/11664slr062_decadron_lbl.pdf
3. Kenneth R. McQuaid, Drugs Used in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Diseases, Lange’s Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 14th Edition, 2018, 1087-1119
4. Cook AM, McDonnell AM, Lake RA, Nowak AK. Dexamethasone co-medication in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy causes substantial immunomodulatory effects with implications for chemo-immunotherapy strategies. Oncoimmunology. 2015 Sep 16;5(3):e1066062.[cited 2023 Mar 17] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4839331/ 

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice. It is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you can receive this treatment.