Learn About Dexamethasone
Dexamethasone's a prescription to get rid of inflammation. It's a corticosteroid! Ladies, you will often take it orally or topically. However, an IV injection is available too. Of course, it helps eye conditions as an eye drop most of the time. The unfortunate news is that this one has many side effects. You have to talk to your doctor about all of them! You need immediate help when you show any signs of an infection too.
Ladies, this is a strong treatment for ulcerative colitis. It will also help to take a dexamethasone pill as an arthritis treatment! This medication's also great as a topical medication for psoriasis. It's an eczema treatment too. That said, you need to know how it works first!
How It Works
Ladies, dexamethasone's a corticosteroid! This means it's going to reduce inflammation. Of course, it will also weaken your immune system a little bit. This one's pretty great on inflammation since it stops white blood cells from going where your inflammation is! However, these are the cells that fight infections. That's why you're at a higher risk of more infections when you're taking this medicine. This medication also replaces hormones your adrenal glands should have released. This is how it helps adrenal insufficiency! Experts even say that this medication causes certain cells to die, which also helps it work very well.
Uses
You want this medication for arthritis. It helps treat a few different types, like gout and rheumatoid arthritis! Ladies, this medication even helps flares of many medical conditions. Examples include multiple sclerosis and myasthenia gravis. It will even help reduce ulcerative colitis flares! This medication is great for many skin conditions too, like eczema and psoriasis.
Ladies, this drug also helps you before chemo. It reduces side effects and inflammation! Evidence shows it even treats a few types of cancer, like leukemia and lymphoma. This medication handles swelling from tumors in your brain and spinal cord too. Finally, this drug's also used for allergic reactions, eye inflammation, and conditions that cause breathing problems!
Side Effects
Ladies, don't forget about the side effects! Dexamethasone has them, just like any other medication. Common ones on this medication include headaches, mood changes, blurry vision, and dizziness. You can also deal with some anxiety, irritability, and agitation! Other side effects are depression, trouble speaking or walking, increased appetite, and trouble thinking. The increased appetite is why some of you gain weight on this medication! Ladies, there are more side effects. You will often pee less. Other ones include heartbeat changes, irregular heart rhythm, and tingling in your arms and legs. Swelling in your hands and feet is another example of a side effect!
This drug has less common side effects too. Examples are eye pain, abdominal pain, and backaches. Hair loss, swelling in your abdomen, red face, and skin lightening are also rare. Ladies, tell your doctor about all of the side effects you experience! They will help you manage them effectively.
Precautions
Ladies, go over your medical history with your doctor before taking this medication! This is vital, since it's not safe for everyone. Specifically, you can't take it when you have fungal infections, liver disease, or thyroid problems. You need something else when you have diabetes too. It's because this medication increases your blood sugar! Other health issues to mention include stomach ulcers, heart failure, high blood pressure, and depression. Your doctor has to take extra precautions or prescribe another drug!
Remember, ladies, that this drug puts you at a higher risk for infections. That's why you have to call your doctor right away when you think you have been exposed to measles or chickenpox. They have to give you fast treatment to avoid complications! Of course, you can't get any vaccines with live viruses when you're on this medication. It's also worth noting that this drug makes vaccines less effective! Finally, ladies, don't stop this medication suddenly. You have to do it under your doctor's supervision to avoid withdrawal.
Medication Interactions
Dexamethasone interacts with over 650 other drugs. Ladies, there are over 100 major interactions here! That's why you need to talk to your doctor about all the prescriptions, OTC medications, and supplements you already take. They will use this list to prevent interactions! Your pharmacist needs to double-check this list too.
Cancer medicines are a big category for interacts with this medication. Ladies, two examples here are rilpivirine and dasatinib! You can't take dexamethasone with the first one, and it makes the second less effective. Either way, your doctor has to make adjustments, like alternate drugs or adjusted doses. This one interacts with other medications too, like blood thinners, NSAIDs, and antiplatelets. Ladies, be cautious when you take any of them and talk to your doctor! Many of you who take a daily Aspirin have to stop when you need this corticosteroid.