WHAT OTHER

MEDICINES ARE YOU

TAKING?

Other medicines may effect how Dexamethasone works or Dexamethasone may effect how they work. Tell your doctor if you are using (or intend to use) any other medicines.

Other drugs that reduce the effect of Dexamethasone are:

  • Antibiotics such as rifampicin, rifabutin.
  • Drugs for epilepsy e g carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbitone, primidone.
  • Drugs used in the treatment of breast cancer e.g. aminoglutethimide.
  • Antacids, especially those containing magnesium trisilicate.

Some medicines may not work as well when Dexamethasone is taken at the same time

The effectiveness of

  1. drugs used to treat diabetes (hypoglycaemic agents)
  2. drugs used to treat high blood pressure (antihypertensives)
  3. diuretics (water pills)
  4. drugs which regulate heart beat (cardiac glycosides) are reduced when Dexamethasone is taken.

Dexamethasone affects acetazolamide, loop diuretics, thiazide diuretics and carbenoxolone: these drugs are used to lower potassium levels.

The effects of drugs which prevent blood clotting; (coumarin anticoagulants e.g. warfarin) may be increased by Dexamethasone and frequent tests may be required.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and aspirin may cause stomach ulcers if you are taking Dexamethasone as well. Please ask your doctor for advice.

Pregnancy

Dexamethasone may be harmful during pregnancy. If you are pregnant. think that you may be pregnant or if you are breastfeeding then you must tell your doctor Your doctor will decide if Dexamethasone can be given to you

Ability to drive or operate machinery

As far as s known, Dexamethasone has no effect on alertness or concentration

Other Ingredients

Dexamethasone contains lactose, if you are allergic to this or any other ingredient, tell your doctor before you take Dexamethasone.

How should

Dexamethasone

be taken?

It is important to take this medication only as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.

How much:

The dose is chosen by your doctor and usually depends on how serious your condition is. Always follow your doctor s instructions and read the pharmacy label. If you are unsure ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Usually a dose of O.5-1.0mg per day is given. Once your condition has improved the dosage will be reduced or another corticosteroid such as 'Prednisolone' may be given.

(For more serious conditions such as acute asthma, a higher dose may be necessary.)

The tablets should be swallowed whole, without chewing, with some water

Children:

The dosage is chosen by the doctor to suit the needs of the patient.

A dose of 0.01-0.1 milligrams per kilogram of body weight is usual.

What to do if someone accidentally takes too much

Too high a dose of Dexamethasone may cause:

  • swelling of the throat (glottis oedema)
  • skin allergy (uticaria)
  • difficulty in breathing (bronchospasm)

If anyone accidentally takes too many tablets. tell your doctor immediately

When will I stop taking Dexamethasone

Do not stop taking Dexamethasone just because your complaints seem to have disappeared. If you stop too early or too suddenly your condition may worsen, you may get withdrawal symptoms Always discuss your treatment with your doctor who will tell you how to reduce the dose gradually If treatment can be stopped

Symptoms of withdrawal include fever. pain in muscle and joint, inflammation of nose lining (rhinitis), weight loss, itchy skin, eye inflammation (pink eye conjunctivitis)

What to do if you miss a dose:

Don't panic. take the next dose as soon as you remember then continue to take your medicine as before.

What undesirable effects

may Dexamethasone

cause?

The occurrence of side effects can be minimised by taking the lowest possible dose for the shortest possible time. If you have any of these side effects or any others tell your doctor. He will review your case and do what is best for

you.

  • lowered resistance or response to stress
  • stunted growth in infants, children and teenagers
  • irregularities in the menstrual cycle (periods) or complete absence of periods
  • Cushingoid face (e.g. "moon face")
  • hirsutism (excess hair especially in women)
  • weight gain
  • vomiting
  • reduced carbohydrate tolerance which needs more anti-diabetic therapy
  • increased appetite
  • swollen stomach
  • loss of protein and calcium balance
  • increased chance of picking up infections or mild infections get worse e.g. chicken pox
  • osteoporosis (thinning of bones)
  • bone disease
  • sodium and water retention and/or potassium loss due to high carbon dioxide levels (hypokalaemic alkalosis)
  • high blood pressure
  • extreme mood swings
  • depression
  • inability to sleep (insomnia)
  • (schizophrenia may get worse (schizophrenia aggravation)
  • epilepsy gets worse (more fits)
  • severe unusual headache and visual disturbance
  • increased eye pressure (glaucoma)
  • eye disorders and eye infection
  • indigestion
  • stomach ulcers
  • pain in abdomen and back (pancreatitis)
  • skin disorders such as bruising, acne, slow healing of wounds
  • hypersensitivity reactions (allergic reactions) e g rash, itch and difficulty in breathing
  • blood clots [thrombosis)
  • Candidiasis [thrush)

    • How should you store Dexamethasone?

    Dexamethasone should be kept in a fridge or below 25°C in the dark As with all medicines Dexamethasone should be kept in a safe place out of reach of children There is a "use by" date on the pack. This medicine should not be used after this date

    This information was last updated in August 1995

     

    General Things To Remember About Medicines
    1. This medicine has been prescribed for your current medical problems Do not use it for other medical problems.
    2. Do not allow other people to use your medicines and do not use medicines meant for other people.
    3. Tell any doctor treating you what medicines you are taking.
    4. Return unused medicines to the pharmacy for disposal.
    5. Make sure that other people you may live with or who look after you read this information.
    6. Keep the tablets out of the reach of children.