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Dexamethasone is a prescription medication used to relieve inflammation and treat a variety of conditions that involve swelling, heat, redness, and pain in many body systems.

Dexamethasone belongs to a group of drugs called corticosteroids. These work by replacing natural hormones produced by your adrenal glands when your body cannot make enough.

This medication is available as an oral concentrate, an oral elixir, an oral solution, an oral tablet, eye drops, and ear drops. The directions and frequency of use will vary with the indication for dexamethasone.

This medication is also available as an intravitreal implant for injection into the eye by a healthcare professional.

This medication is also available in an injectable form to be given directly into a vein (IV), a muscle (IM), a joint (intra-articular), a lesion (intralesional), and soft tissue by a healthcare professional.

Common side effects of dexamethasone include upset stomach, vomiting, headache, insomnia, restlessness, depression, anxiety, acne, increased hair growth, easy bruising, increased appetite and weight gain, and irregular or absent menstrual periods.

Dexamethasone can also cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how dexamethasone affects you.

Oral and injectable forms:

Dexamethasone is a prescription medication used to relieve inflammation and treat a variety of conditions including the following:

• arthritis
• skin disorders
• blood disorders
• kidney disorders
• eye disorders
• thyroid disorders
• intestinal disorders
• systemic lupus erythematosus
• dermatitis
• psoriasis
• allergies
• asthma

Dexamethasone can also be used in the treatment of certain types of cancers.

Intravitreal implant:

The intravitreal implant form of dexamethasone is used to treat macular edema, which involves fluid and protein deposits on the eye, and non-infectious uveitis, which is an inflammation of part of the eye.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with dexamethasone. See the “Dexamethasone Precautions” section.

Oral and injectable forms:

Common side effects of oral and injectable forms of dexamethasone include the following:

• upset stomach
• stomach irritation
• vomiting
• headache
• dizziness
• insomnia
• restlessness
• depression
• anxiety
• acne
• increased hair growth
• easy bruising
• irregular or absent menstrual periods
• increased appetite and weight gain

Intravitreal form:

Common side effects of the dexamethasone intravitreal implant include increased intraocular pressure and conjunctival hemorrhage.

This is not a complete list of dexamethasone side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking dexamethasone, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to dexamethasone or to any of its ingredients
• are allergic to aspirin
• are allergic to tartrazine (a yellow dye used in processed foods and drugs)
• have a systemic fungal infection
• have or have had liver problems
• have or have had heart problems
• have or have had kidney problems
• have or have had intestinal problems
• have or have had diabetes
• have or have had thyroid problems
• have or have had high blood pressure
• have or have had mental illness
• have myasthenia gravis
• have osteoporosis
• have or have had seizures
• have or have had tuberculosis
• have or have had ulcers
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Dexamethasone falls into category C. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication and had some babies born with problems. No well-controlled studies have been done in humans. Therefore, this medication may be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully. Your doctor will prescribe the dexamethasone dose and schedule that is appropriate for your condition. Do not abruptly stop taking dexamethasone.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• the condition being treated
• other medical conditions you have
• other medications you are taking
• how you respond to this medication
• your age