Dexamethasone Tablet and Liquid

Most adults and children (including babies) can take dexamethasone.

Dexamethasone is not suitable for some people. Tell your doctor before starting on this medicine if:

• you have ever had an allergic reaction to dexamethasone or any other medicine in the past
• you have recently been in contact with someone with shingles, chickenpox or measles
• you have an infection or any unhealed wounds
• you have liver or kidney problems
• you have ever had mental health problems (or a close family member has)
• you have ever had tuberculosis (TB)
• you have high blood pressure, heart failure or recently had a heart attack
• you have diabetes
• you have epilepsy
• you have glaucoma
• you have an underactive thyroid
• you have osteoporosis (thinning bones)
• you have a stomach ulcer
• you have myasthenia gravis, a rare condition that causes muscle weakness
• you have recently had vaccinations, or are due to have vaccinations
• you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding

 

Always follow your doctor’s instructions when taking this medicine.

Take dexamethasone after eating a meal or snack, or immediately after eating. Do not take it on an empty stomach.

For soluble tablets, dissolve them in a glass of water then drink it all. For other tablets, swallow them whole with a drink of water.

Liquid dexamethasone comes with a plastic syringe or spoon to help you measure out the correct dose. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give you the right amount.

 

Dosage

Adults – you will usually take between 0.5mg and 10mg a day. For some conditions the dose can go up to 16mg a day.

Children – doses are usually lower for a child. The doctor will use your child’s height and weight to work out the right dose for them.

For treating croup, your child will usually have a single one-off dose.

 

How often to take it

You will usually take dexamethasone once a day. Take it in the morning with or immediately after your breakfast.

Unless your doctor gives you different instructions, take your full dose in one go. For example, if your dose is 6mg, your doctor may tell you to take three 2mg tablets at the same time.

If your doctor prescribes dexamethasone 2 or 3 times a day, take your last dose before 6pm. It will be less likely to affect your sleep.

For some conditions you may not need to take dexamethasone every day. Your doctor might tell you to take it every other day instead.

 

Will my dose go up or down?

If you are taking dexamethasone for longer than a few weeks, your dose may change.

Your doctor may reduce your dose once your symptoms start to get better. If your symptoms get worse again, they may increase your dose again.

Your doctor will probably reduce your dose gradually before you stop completely. This is to reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms.

 

What if I forget to take it?

If you take dexamethasone once a day and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the following day, skip the missed dose and take the next one at the usual time.

If you take it 2 or 3 times a day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it is less than 2 hours until your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as normal.

Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten one.

If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

 

What if I take too much?

Taking 1 or 2 extra dexamethasone tablets as a one-off is unlikely to harm you. If you are worried, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take too much dexamethasone for more than a few days, it could harm your health. Talk to your doctor as soon as possible.

 

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Dexamethasone and pregnancy

Dexamethasone is not usually recommended in pregnancy.

Steroids have sometimes been linked to problems in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Taking them for a long time, or at a high dose, can also affect your baby’s growth during pregnancy.

Your doctor may prescribe dexamethasone for you, if they think the benefits outweigh the risks. If you need to take dexamethasone while pregnant, you will have more frequent checks to see how your baby is growing.

 

Dexamethasone and breastfeeding

You can usually take dexamethasone while you are breastfeeding.

However, dexamethasone can get into breast milk. Ask your doctor or health visitor for advice about breastfeeding while taking this medicine. For this reason, wait at least 3 hours after you take your medicine before breastfeeding your baby or expressing milk.

If you are taking a high dose your baby may need monitoring. This is to make sure they do not have side effects from the medicine.

If you notice your baby is not feeding as well as usual or seems unusually sleepy, or if you have any other concerns about your baby, talk to your health visitor or doctor.

Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you are:

• trying to get pregnant
• pregnant
• breastfeeding

Like all medicines, dexamethasone can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Side effects are less likely if you are on a lower dose (less than 6mg a day).

 

Common side effects

Common side effects happen in more than 1 in 100 people.

Keep taking the medicine, but tell your doctor if these side effects bother you or do not go away:

• weight gain
• indigestion
• sleep problems
• mild mood changes

 

Serious side effects

Serious side effects are more likely with higher doses (more than 6mg a day) or if you take dexamethasone for more than a few weeks or months.

Call a doctor straight away if you get:

• high temperature, chills, a very sore throat, ear or sinus pain, a cough, coughing up more mucus (phlegm) or a change in colour of your mucus, pain when you pee, mouth sores or a wound that will not heal – these can be signs of an infection
• “moon face” (a puffy, rounded face), weight gain in the upper back or belly – this happens gradually and can be a sign of Cushing’s syndrome
• a very upset stomach or you are being sick (vomiting), very bad dizziness or passing out, muscle weakness, very tired, mood swings, loss of appetite and weight loss – these can be signs of adrenal gland problems
• sleepy or confused, feel very thirsty or hungry, need to pee more often than usual, flushing, breathing quickly or breath that smells like fruit – these can be signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia)
• muscle pain, weakness or cramps, or your heartbeats suddenly become more noticeable (heart palpitations) – these can be signs of low potassium levels
• severe stomach pain, severe back pain, severe upset stomach or you are being sick (vomiting) – these can be signs of pancreas problems
• swelling or throbbing in your arms or legs, or if you feel breathless or have chest pain – these can be signs of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or blood clot
• unexplained bruising or bleeding that is not normal, black poo, or you are vomiting blood or have black or dark brown vomit – these can be signs of internal bleeding
• sudden changes in your eyesight

 

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it is possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to dexamethasone.

Immediate action required: Call or go to the hospital if:

• you get a skin rash that may include itchy, red, swollen, blistered or peeling skin
• you are wheezing
• you get tightness in the chest or throat
• you have trouble breathing or talking
• your mouth, face, lips, tongue or throat start swelling

You could be having a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.

 

Children and teenagers

Taking dexamethasone at higher doses for a long time can slow down the normal growth of children and teenagers.

Your child’s doctor will monitor their height and weight carefully for as long as they are taking this medicine. This will help them spot any slowing down of your child’s growth and change their treatment if needed. Even if your child’s growth slows down, it does not seem to have much effect on their eventual adult height.

Talk to your doctor if you are worried. They will be able to explain the benefits and risks of giving your child dexamethasone.

 

How to cope with side effects of dexamethasone

What to do about:

• Weight gain – try to eat well without increasing your portion sizes so you do not gain too much weight. Regular exercise will also help to keep your weight stable.
• Indigestion – take dexamethasone with a meal or snack to reduce the chances of stomach problems. It may also help to avoid rich or spicy food. If these symptoms carry on, speak to your doctor. They may give you an additional medicine to protect your stomach.
• Sleep problems – take dexamethasone in the morning so the levels of dexamethasone in your body are the lowest at bedtime. If you take dexamethasone more than once a day try taking your last dose before 6pm.
• Mild mood changes – dexamethasone can affect your mood in different ways. Talk to your doctor if you are finding it hard to cope.

 

Cautions with other medicines

Some medicines can affect how dexamethasone works. This can increase your chance of side effects.

Check with a pharmacist or your doctor before starting on dexamethasone if:

• you take medicine for heart or blood conditions, such as warfarin, high blood pressure medicine and tablets that make you pee more (diuretics)
• you take antibiotics such as rifampicin and rifabutin
• you take antifungal medicine
• you take medicine for epilepsy, such as phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbitone and primidone
• you take antacids or other medicine for stomach problems
• you take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as high-dose aspirin for pain relief, ibuprofen or diclofenac 
• you take medicine for HIV
• You have recently had a vaccination, or are due to have one

 

Mixing dexamethasone with herbal remedies or supplements

There is very little information about taking dexamethasone with herbal remedies and vitamin or mineral supplements.

Not enough research has been done to say whether it is safe.

Important

For safety, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you take any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.

How does Dexamethasone work?

Dexamethasone is a steroid (corticosteroid) medicine. Steroids closely copy the effects of natural hormones produced in your adrenal glands. The adrenal glands sit above your kidneys.

When prescribed in doses higher than your body’s usual levels, steroids like dexamethasone reduce inflammation. This can help the symptoms of inflammatory conditions, such as croup, arthritis and asthma.

Steroids also help calm your immune system. This can help in autoimmune illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis, where your immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues.

When taken for nausea and vomiting dexamethasone is thought to work on chemical messengers in the brain to reduce feelings of sickness.

 

How is dexamethasone used to treat COVID-19 (coronavirus)?

Dexamethasone is being used to treat severe cases of coronavirus in hospitals. For patients on a ventilator or who need oxygen to help them breathe, dexamethasone can improve their chances of recovery.

No one knows whether dexamethasone will not help in less serious cases of coronavirus. This includes people who do not need hospital treatment, or a ventilator or oxygen to help them breathe.

It does not stop you getting coronavirus and it may not stop mild symptoms getting worse.

 

When will I feel better?

This can vary depending on why you are taking dexamethasone.

For some conditions, you will feel better after a couple of days.

For other conditions, you may not feel any better even though the medicine is helping you.

Ask your doctor what to expect for your specific condition.

 

How long will I take dexamethasone for?

This depends on why you need it. Your doctor will tell you how long to take it for.

When used to treat croup in children, your doctor will give a single one-off dose.

For some conditions you may only need to take dexamethasone for a few days or weeks.

However, for other conditions you may need to take it for longer, sometimes for several months.

 

Can I take dexamethasone for a long time?

Taking dexamethasone for several months can increase the risk of some other side effects. If you take it long term you can get thinner bones (osteoporosis), eyesight problems and slower growth in children and teenagers.

If you have diabetes, dexamethasone can affect blood sugar control. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes treatment while you take this medicine and again after you stop.

However, there are steps you can take to help you stay as healthy as possible.

 

For healthy bones

Take regular exercise and make sure you get enough calcium in your diet to help strengthen your bones. Calcium-rich foods include milk, cheese and leafy green vegetables. To check your bones, your doctor may arrange for you to have an occasional bone scan.

 

For diabetes

If you have diabetes you may need to check your blood glucose more often. Your doctor can give you more advice about this.

For eye health

To reduce the chances of eyesight problems, visit an optometrist every 12 months. They will check for high pressure in your eye (glaucoma) and cataracts.

 

For children and teenagers

If your child takes dexamethasone for several months, their height and weight need to be monitored carefully. This is to make sure the steroid is not affecting their growth. Talk to their doctor if you are worried. They will be able to explain the benefits and risks of giving your child dexamethasone.

 

What will happen if I stop taking it?

Do not stop taking dexamethasone suddenly, especially if you have been on a high dose for a long time.

Your health condition may flare up again. You may also get extra side effects including:

• severe tiredness
• weakness
• body aches
• joint pain

Your doctor will probably want to reduce your dose gradually over several weeks to prevent these side effects.

 

Important

Do not stop taking dexamethasone without talking to your doctor. You will need to reduce your dose gradually.

 

Can I still have vaccinations?

Some vaccines are not suitable for you while you are taking dexamethasone.

Taking dexamethasone lowers your immune system. If you have a “live” vaccine, like the shingles vaccine, while you are taking dexamethasone your immune system might not be able to handle it. This may lead to an infection.

Inactive vaccinations, like the flu vaccine, are safe.

If you need any vaccinations, mention that you are taking a steroid.

 

Do I need a blue steroid card?

If you take dexamethasone for longer than 3 weeks, or you take more than 6mg a day, your doctor or pharmacist will give you a blue steroid treatment card.

The card is the size of a credit card and fits in your wallet or purse. It tells you how you can reduce the risks of side effects. It also gives details of your doctor, how much dexamethasone you take and how long the treatment will last for.

 

Important

If you need any medical or dental treatment, show your blue steroid card to the doctor or dentist so they know that you are taking dexamethasone.

 

Will it affect my mood?

Mild mood changes are a common side effect with dexamethasone.

However, more severe mood changes and mental health problems may be more likely if you take a higher dose (6mg or more).

It is important to talk to your doctor if:

• you are feeling high, or have mood swings that go up and down
• you are feeling anxious
• you have problems sleeping
• you have difficulty in thinking, or are feeling confused and forgetting things
• you are feeling, seeing or hearing things that are not real
• you notice changes in the way you usually behave

 

Urgent advice: Contact a doctor urgently if:

• you are feeling depressed
• you are thinking about harming yourself
• you have strange or frightening thoughts

 

Do I need to be careful of infections?

Taking dexamethasone makes you more likely to catch infections such as flu, the common cold and chest infections.

Keep away from people with an infectious disease, especially measles, chickenpox or shingles. If you get any of these illnesses, they could make you very ill.

 

Can I drink alcohol with it?

Yes, you can drink alcohol while taking dexamethasone.

 

Is there any food or drink I need to avoid?

No, you can eat and drink normally while taking dexamethasone.

 

Will it affect my fertility?

There is no clear evidence to suggest that taking dexamethasone will reduce fertility in either men or women.

However, speak to a pharmacist or your doctor if you are trying to get pregnant.

 

Will it affect my contraception?

Dexamethasone will not affect contraception, including the combined pill or emergency contraception.

 

Can I drive or ride a bike?

Dexamethasone does not make you sleepy and so it is usually safe to drive or ride a bike while taking this medicine.

However, do not drive, cycle or operate machinery if your eyesight is affected.