Decadron
Complete list of
drugs used to treat arthritis.
Decadron, a corticosteroid, is similar to a natural hormone produced
by your adrenal glands. It often is used to replace this chemical when your body does not
make enough of it. It relieves inflammation (swelling, heat, redness, and pain) and is
used to treat certain forms of arthritis; skin, blood, kidney, eye, thyroid, and
intestinal disorders (e.g., colitis); severe allergies; and asthma. Decadron also is used
to treat certain types of cancer.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your
doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How should Decadron be used?
Decadron comes as a tablet and a solution to take by mouth. Your
doctor will prescribe a dosing schedule that is best for you. Follow the directions on
your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part
you do not understand. Take Decadron exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it
or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Do not stop taking Decadron without talking to your doctor. Stopping
the drug abruptly can cause loss of appetite, upset stomach, vomiting, drowsiness,
confusion, headache, fever, joint and muscle pain, peeling skin, and weight loss. If you
take large doses for a long time, your doctor probably will decrease your dose gradually
to allow your body to adjust before stopping the drug completely. Watch for these side
effects if you are gradually decreasing your dose and after you stop taking the tablets or
oral liquid, even if you switch to an inhalation. If these problems occur, call your
doctor immediately. You may need to increase your dose of tablets or liquid temporarily or
start taking them again.
Before taking Decadron,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Decadron, aspirin, tartrazine (a
yellow dye in some processed foods and drugs), or any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you
are taking especially anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin),
arthritis medications, aspirin, cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), digoxin (Lanoxin),
diuretics ('water pills'), ephedrine, estrogen (Premarin), ketoconazole (Nizoral), oral
contraceptives, phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), rifampin (Rifadin), theophylline
(Theo-Dur), and vitamins.
- if you have a fungal infection (other than on your skin), do not take Decadron without
talking to your doctor.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver, kidney, intestinal, or heart
disease; diabetes; an underactive thyroid gland; high blood pressure; mental illness;
myasthenia gravis; osteoporosis; herpes eye infection; seizures; tuberculosis (TB); or
ulcers.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If
you become pregnant while taking Decadron, call your doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you
are taking Decadron.
- if you have a history of ulcers or take large doses of aspirin or other arthritis
medication, limit your consumption of alcoholic beverages while taking this drug. Decadron
makes your stomach and intestines more susceptible to the irritating effects of alcohol,
aspirin, and certain arthritis medications: this effect increases your risk of ulcers.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Your doctor may instruct you to follow a low-sodium, low-salt,
potassium-rich, or high-protein diet. Follow these directions.
Decadron may cause an upset stomach. Take Decadron with food or mi
What side effects can this Decadron cause?
Although side effects from Decadron are not common, they can occur.
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- upset stomach
- stomach irritation
- vomiting
- headache
- dizziness
- insomnia
- restlessness
- depression
- anxiety
- acne
- increased hair growth
- easy bruising
- irregular or absent menstrual periods
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor
immediately:
- skin rash
- swollen face, lower legs, or ankles
- vision problems
- cold or infection that lasts a long time
- muscle weakness
- black or tarry stool
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