Dexameth; Dexone; Hexadrol
Complete list of
drugs used to treat arthritis.
Dexameth; Dexone; Hexadrol, 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. Dexameth;
Dexone; Hexadrol 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 Dexameth; Dexone; Hexadrol be used?
Dexameth; Dexone; Hexadrol 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 Dexameth; Dexone; Hexadrol 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 Dexameth; Dexone; Hexadrol 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 Dexameth; Dexone; Hexadrol,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Dexameth; Dexone; Hexadrol,
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 Dexameth; Dexone;
Hexadrol 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 Dexameth; Dexone; Hexadrol, call your doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you
are taking Dexameth; Dexone; Hexadrol.
- 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.
Dexameth; Dexone; Hexadrol 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.
Dexameth; Dexone; Hexadrol may cause an upset stomach. Take Dexameth;
Dexone; Hexadrol with food or mi
What side effects can this Dexameth; Dexone; Hexadrol cause?
Although side effects from Dexameth; Dexone; Hexadrol 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
|
