Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid medicine. It reduces inflammation and suppresses immune activity. It is used in many settings, including severe allergy, asthma or croup, inflammatory disease, some cancer treatment regimens, cerebral oedema, endocrine conditions and selected hospital situations.
Dexamethasone is stronger and longer acting than some other corticosteroids, so dose and duration matter. It can be given as tablets, liquid, injection, eye drops or topical preparations depending on the condition.
Uses
Uses include treating inflammation, controlling immune-system activity, reducing swelling around the brain or spinal cord, preventing or treating nausea in some cancer regimens, and replacing steroid hormone in some endocrine disorders.
In hospital care, dexamethasone may be used where inflammation is causing serious risk, but it is not a general-purpose medicine for every infection or viral illness.
How It Works
Dexamethasone binds to glucocorticoid receptors and changes the activity of many genes involved in inflammation, immune signalling and metabolism. This can reduce swelling, pain and immune-driven tissue damage, but it can also increase infection risk and affect blood sugar, mood, bones and the stomach.
Taking Dexamethasone
NHS medicine guidance says tablets or liquid are often taken once daily, usually in the morning, to reduce sleep disturbance. The exact dose and length of treatment depend on the condition.
People taking longer courses should not usually stop suddenly unless told to do so, because the body may need time to restart normal steroid hormone production. A steroid card may be needed for people on significant or prolonged steroid treatment.
Side Effects
Common side effects can include sleep problems, mood changes, indigestion, increased appetite, fluid retention and higher blood glucose. Longer or higher-dose courses can increase the risk of infection, osteoporosis, adrenal suppression, eye problems, skin thinning and stomach ulceration.
The NICE BNF notes that systemic corticosteroids, especially at high doses, can be linked with psychiatric reactions such as euphoria, insomnia, irritability, mood changes and, rarely, severe mental-health effects.
Safety Points
People taking dexamethasone should seek advice if they develop signs of infection, are exposed to chickenpox, shingles or measles without immunity, have black stools or vomiting blood, have severe mood changes, or are unwell while on long-term steroid treatment.
Dexamethasone can interact with other medicines, including some anticoagulants, diabetes medicines, anti-epileptic medicines and medicines affecting the immune system.
See Also
References
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