Dexamethasone

Pharmaceutical name: Dexamethasone

Dexamethasone prevents the substances discharge in the body that causes inflammation. It is used to treat various diseases such as allergic disorders, skin conditions, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, or breathing disorders.

Therapeutic actions:
Decreases inflammation by suppression of neutrophil migration, decreased production of inflammatory mediators, and reversal of increased capillary permeability; suppresses normal immune response. Dexamethasone's mechanism of antiemetic activity is unknown.

What is it used for?:
Treating certain conditions associated with decreased adrenal gland function. It is also used to treat severe inflammation due to certain conditions, including severe asthma, severe allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, certain blood disorders, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and certain eye and skin conditions.

Contraindications and cautions:
- Existing gastrointestinal ulceration;
- Cushing's syndrome;
- Severe forms of heart insufficiency;
- Severe hypertension;
- Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus;
- Systemic tuberculosis;
- Severe systemic viral, bacterial, and fungal infections;
- Preexisting wide angle glaucoma;
- Osteoporosis.

Side effects:
Serious side effects: severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, tarry stools; convulsions; depression; diarrhea; dizziness; exaggerated sense of well-being; fever; weakness; general body discomfort; severe nausea or vomiting; headache; increased pressure in the eye; appetite loss; joint or muscle pain; mood swings; muscle weakness; personality changes; prolonged sore throat, cold, or fever; changes in menstrual periods; puffing of the face; swelling of feet or legs; unusual weight gain; vomiting material that looks like coffee grounds; weight loss. Less serious side effects: difficulty sleeping; feeling of a whirling motion; increased appetite; increased sweating; indigestion; mood changes; nervousness.

Interactions:
- Dexamethasone 's effectiveness may be decreased by barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), carbamazepine, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), or rifampin;
- Clarithromycin, azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole), steroidal contraceptives (eg, desogestrel), or troleandomycin may provoke weakness, confusion, muscle aches, joint pain, or low blood sugar;
- Dexamethasone may increase the risk of side effects of methotrexate or ritodrine;
- Dexamethasone may decrease effectiveness of hydantoins (eg, phenytoin),mifepristone , or live vaccines;
- Dexamethasone may increase or decrease actions and side effects of anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) or aspirin.