DexPak 13 DayTaperpak

You should not use this medicine if you have a fungal infection anywhere in your body.

Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, and all the medicines you are using. There are many other diseases that can be affected by steroid use, and many other medicines that can interact with steroids.

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose of dexamethasone.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• muscle tightness, weakness, or limp feeling;

• problems with your vision;

• shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain;

• severe depression, unusual thoughts or behavior;

• a seizure (convulsions);

• bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood;

• lower back pain, blood in your urine, little or no urination;

• confusion, numbness or tingly feeling around your mouth;

• fast or slow heart rate, weak pulse;

• a pancreas disorder--severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate;

• low potassium--leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling; or

• dangerously high blood pressure--severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears, nosebleed, anxiety.

Common side effects may include:

• fluid retention (swelling in your hands or ankles);

• sleep problems (insomnia), mood changes;

• acne, dry skin, thinning skin, bruising or discoloration;

• slow wound healing;

• increased sweating, increased hair growth;

• headache, dizziness, spinning sensation;

• nausea, stomach pain, bloating;

• muscle weakness; or

• changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Many drugs can interact with dexamethasone. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

• aspirin (taken on a daily basis or at high doses);

• cyclosporine;

• digoxin;

• an antibiotic such as erythromycin or rifampin;

• antifungal medicine such as ketoconazole;

• birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy;

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven);

• a diuretic (water pill);

• glaucoma medication;

• insulin or diabetes medications you take by mouth;

• medicine to treat dementia or Parkinson's disease;

• an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, meloxicam, and others; or

• seizure medications such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, or phenobarbital.

This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with dexamethasone. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you.