Dexamethasone
What is Generic Dexamethasone?
Generic
Dexamethasone is in a class of drugs called steroids. Generic
Dexamethasone prevents the release of substances in the body that cause
inflammation.Generic Dexamethasone is used to treat many different conditions such as allergic disorders, skin conditions, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, or breathing disorders.Generic Dexamethasone may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important Information About Generic Dexamethasone
You
should not use this medication if you are allergic to Generic
Dexamethasone, or if you have a fungal infection anywhere in your body.
Before taking Generic Dexamethasone, tell your doctor about all of your
medical conditions, and about all other 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.Your steroid medication needs may change if you have any
unusual stress such as a serious illness, fever or infection, or if you
have surgery or a medical emergency. Tell your doctor about any such
situation that affects you during treatment.Steroid medication can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection or worsening
an infection you already have or have recently had. Tell your doctor
about any illness or infection you have had within the past several
weeks.Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your
doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or
measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are
using steroid medication.Do not receive a "live" vaccine while you are taking
Generic Dexamethasone. Vaccines may not work as well while you are
taking a steroid.Do not stop using Generic Dexamethasone suddenly, or
you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about
how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication.
Before Taking Generic Dexamethasone
You
should not use this medication if you are allergic to Generic
Dexamethasone, or if you have a fungal infection anywhere in your body.
Steroid medication can weaken your immune
system, making it easier for you to get an infection. Steroids can also
worsen an infection you already have, or reactivate an infection you
recently had. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor about any
illness or infection you have had within the past several
weeks.If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose
adjustment or special tests to safely take Generic Dexamethasone:liver
disease (such as cirrhosis);kidney disease;a thyroid
disorder;diabetes;a history of malaria;tuberculosis;osteoporosis;a
muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis;glaucoma or cataracts;herpes
infection of the eyes;stomach ulcers, ulcerative colitis, or
diverticulitis;depression or mental illness;congestive heart failure;
orhigh blood pressureFDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether
Generic Dexamethasone is harmful to an unborn baby. Before you take this
medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant
or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Generic Dexamethasone can
pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Steroids can affect growth in children. Talk with your doctor if you
think your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this
medication.
How should I take Generic Dexamethasone?
Take
this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the
medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by
your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.Your
doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best
results from this medication.Your steroid medication
needs may change if you have unusual stress such as a serious illness,
fever or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Tell
your doctor about any such situation that affects you.This medication
can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell
any doctor who treats you that you are using Generic Dexamethasone.Do
not stop using Generic Dexamethasone suddenly, or you could have
unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that you are taking steroid medication.
What happens if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, contact your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek
emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of
this medicine. A single large dose of Generic Dexamethasone is not
expected to produce life-threatening symptoms. However, long-term
use of high steroid doses can lead to symptoms such as thinning skin,
easy bruising, changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially
in your face, neck, back, and waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.
What should I avoid while taking Generic Dexamethasone?
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed
to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even
fatal in people who are using steroid medication.Do not receive a "live"
vaccine while you are being treated with Generic Dexamethasone.
Vaccines may not work as well while you are taking a steroid.Avoid
drinking alcohol while you are taking Generic Dexamethasone.
Side effects of Generic Dexamethasone
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing;
swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at
once if you have any of these serious side effects: problems with your
vision;swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath;severe
depression, unusual thoughts or behavior, seizure (convulsions);bloody
or tarry stools, coughing up blood;pancreatitis
(severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and
vomiting, fast heart rate);low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate,
extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or
limp feeling); ordangerously high blood pressure (severe headache,
blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain,
shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure).
Less serious side effects may include:
sleep problems (insomnia), mood changes;acne, dry skin, thinning skin, bruising or discoloration;slow wound healing;increased sweating;headache, dizziness, spinning sensation;nausea, stomach pain, bloating;muscle weakness; orchanges 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.
Less serious side effects may include:
sleep problems (insomnia), mood changes;acne, dry skin, thinning skin, bruising or discoloration;slow wound healing;increased sweating;headache, dizziness, spinning sensation;nausea, stomach pain, bloating;muscle weakness; orchanges 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.
What other drugs will affect Generic Dexamethasone
There are many other medicines
that can interact with steroids. Below is only a partial list of these
medicines:aspirin (taken on a daily basis or at high doses);a diuretic
(water pill);a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);cyclosporine
(Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);insulin or diabetes medications you take
by mouth;ketoconazole (Nizoral);rifampin
(Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane); orseizure medications such as
phenytoin (Dilantin) or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton).This list is
not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Generic
Dexamethasone. Tell your doctor about all the prescription
and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins,
minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not
start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
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