Dexpak

In patients receiving long-term therapy, importance of not discontinuing the drug abruptly.d

Importance of notifying a clinician of any infections, signs of infections (e.g., fever, sore throat, pain during urination, muscle aches), or injuries that develop during therapy or within 12 months after therapy is discontinued.b

Importance of carrying identification cards listing the diseases being treated, the glucocorticoid regimen, and the name and telephone number of the clinician.b

When surgery is required, importance of informing the attending physician, dentist, or anesthesiologist of recent (within 12 months) glucocorticoid therapy.b

Advise patients receiving orally inhaled glucocorticoid therapy who are currently being withdrawn or who have been withdrawn from systemic therapy to immediately resume full therapeutic dosages of systemic glucocorticoids and to contact their clinician for further instructions during stressful periods (e.g., severe infection, severe asthmatic attack).b

In immunosuppressed patients, importance of avoiding exposure to certain infections (e.g., chickenpox, measles) and of the importance of obtaining medical advice if such exposure occurs.

When considering epidural glucocorticoid injections for pain relief, importance of understanding potential benefits and risks of epidural injections and alternative treatments.1000 1001 Importance of immediately seeking emergency medical attention if unusual symptoms (e.g., loss of or changes in vision, tingling in extremities, sudden weakness or numbness affecting face or occurring unilaterally or bilaterally in arms or legs, dizziness, severe headache, seizures) occur after epidural injection.1001

Patients should carry identification cards listing the diseases for which they are being treated, the glucocorticoid they are receiving and its dosage, and the name and telephone number of their physician. Patients being transferred from systemic corticosteroid to oral inhalation therapy should carry special identification (e.g., card, bracelet) indicating the need for supplementary systemic corticosteroids during periods of stress.

Importance of informing clinicians of existing or contemplated concomitant therapy, including prescription and OTC drugs.a b

Importance of women informing clinicians if they are or plan to become pregnant or plan to breast-feed.a

Importance of informing patients of other important precautionary information. (See Cautions.)a b