Ocu-Dex

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.

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of dexamethasone, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Take dexamethasone exactly as prescribed.

This medication is available as an oral concentrate, an oral elixir, an oral solution, an oral tablet, and eye and ear drops. Your doctor will prescribe the dose and schedule for use that is appropriate for your condition. Oral forms of dexamethasone may be taken with food or milk to decrease the risk of an upset stomach.

This medication is also available as an intravitreal implant for injection directly 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.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of dexamethasone at the same time.

If you take too much dexamethasone, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

If dexamethasone is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.

• Store dexamethasone between 15° and 30°C (59° and 86°F).
• Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.