Uses
Dexamethasone is used to treat conditions such as arthritis, blood/hormone disorders, allergic reactions, skin diseases, eye problems, breathing problems, bowel disorders, cancer, and immune system disorders. It is also used as a test for an adrenal gland disorder (Cushing's syndrome).
Dexamethasone belongs to a class of drugs known as corticosteroids. It decreases your immune system's response to various diseases to reduce symptoms such as swelling and allergic-type reactions.
This injectable form of dexamethasone is used when a similar drug cannot be taken by mouth or when a very fast response is needed, especially in patients with severe medical conditions. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of dexamethasone, especially if it is to be injected near your spine (epidural). Rare but serious side effects may occur with epidural use.
How to use Edron Solution
Depending on your product, this medication is given by injection into a vein, muscle, joint, or skin area as directed by your doctor. Follow your doctor's directions carefully. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Your doctor may attempt to reduce your dose slowly from time to time to minimize side effects.
If you are giving this medication to yourself at home, learn all preparation and usage instructions from your health care professional. Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Learn how to store and discard medical supplies safely.
Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when this drug is suddenly stopped. Also, you may experience symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, weakness, or muscle/joint pain. To prevent these symptoms while you are stopping treatment with this drug, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Report any new or worsening symptoms right away.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.
Side Effects
Stomach upset, heartburn, headache, trouble sleeping, increased appetite, or pain/redness/swelling at the injection site may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away, fever), bone/joint pain, fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, eye pain/pressure, vision problems, unusual weight gain, puffy face, swelling of the ankles/feet, symptoms of stomach/intestinal bleeding (such as stomach/abdominal pain, black/tarry stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds), mental/mood changes (such as depression, mood swings, agitation), menstrual period changes, muscle pain/cramps, weakness, easy bruising/bleeding, slow wound healing, thinning skin, seizures.
This medication may rarely make your blood sugar rise, which can cause or worsen diabetes. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst/urination. If you already have diabetes, check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Precautions
Before using dexamethasone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: infections (such as tuberculosis, herpes, fungal infections), kidney disease, liver disease, mental/mood disorders (such as psychosis, anxiety, depression), mineral imbalance (such as low level of potassium/calcium in the blood), thyroid disease, stomach/intestinal problems (such as ulcer, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, unexplained diarrhea), high blood pressure, heart problems (such as heart failure, recent heart attack), diabetes, eye diseases (such as cataracts, glaucoma, herpes infection of the eye), bone loss (osteoporosis), blood clots.
Using corticosteroid medications for a long time can make it more difficult for your body to respond to physical stress. Before having surgery or emergency treatment, or if you get a serious illness/injury, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication or have used this medication within the past 12 months. Tell your doctor right away if you develop unusual/extreme tiredness or weight loss. If you will be using this medication for a long time, carry a warning card or medical ID bracelet that identifies your use of this medication.
This medication may mask signs of infection. It can make you more likely to get infections or may make current infections worse. Stay away from anyone who has an infection that may easily spread (such as chickenpox, COVID-19, measles, flu). Talk to your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for more details.
This medicine may cause stomach bleeding. Daily use of alcohol while using this medicine may increase your risk for stomach bleeding. Limit alcoholic beverages. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Tell your health care professional that you are using dexamethasone before having any immunizations/vaccinations. Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine inhaled through the nose).
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially bone loss/pain, stomach/intestinal bleeding, and mental/mood changes (such as confusion).
This medication may slow down a child's growth if used for a long time. Consult the doctor or pharmacist for more details. See the doctor regularly so your child's height and growth can be checked.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It may rarely harm an unborn baby. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Infants born to mothers who have been using this medication for an extended time may have hormone problems. Tell your doctor right away if you notice symptoms such as nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, severe diarrhea, or weakness in your newborn.
It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug include: aldesleukin, desmopressin, drugs that can cause bleeding/bruising (including antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel, "blood thinners" such as dabigatran/warfarin, NSAIDs such as aspirin/celecoxib/ibuprofen), mifepristone.
This medication can speed up the removal of other medications from your body, which may affect how they work. Examples of affected drugs include certain cancer drugs (such as dasatinib, lapatinib, sunitinib), praziquantel, rilpivirine, among others.
If your doctor has told you to take low-dose aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke (usually 81-162 milligrams a day), you should keep taking the aspirin unless your doctor tells you not to. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
This medication may interfere with certain lab tests (including skin tests), possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.
Overdose
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.
Notes
Do not share this medication with others.
If this medication is used for an extended time, lab and/or medical tests (such as blood mineral levels, blood glucose, complete blood count, bone density tests, blood pressure, eye exams) should be done while you are using this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.
This medication may cause bone problems (osteoporosis) when used for an extended time. Lifestyle changes that may help reduce the risk of bone problems include doing weight-bearing exercise, getting enough calcium and vitamin D, stopping smoking, and limiting alcohol. Discuss with your doctor lifestyle changes that might benefit you.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Storage
Consult the product instructions and your pharmacist for storage details. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.Information last revised April 2024. Copyright(c) 2024 First Databank, Inc.
Sorry. No images are available for this medication.
Drug Survey
Are you taking Edron Solution?
Are you considering switching to Edron Solution?
How satisfied are you with the results?
Are you planning to see a doctor about switching your medication?
How long have you been taking Edron Solution?
Are you planning to see a doctor about switching your medication?
Thanks for taking our survey!
Recommended For You
Find a doctor near youMore Resources for Edron Solution
You Might Also Like
Find More Drugs Used to Treat these Conditions
- disseminated tuberculosis
- additional medication for treatment of tuberculosis meningitis
- joint capsule membrane inflammation of a diseased joint
- infection caused by the trichinae parasite
- sarcoidosis
- diagnostic test for Cushing's syndrome
- increased calcium in the blood from sarcoidosis
- Burkitt's lymphoma
- a type of cancer of the lymph nodes called Hodgkin's lymphoma
- follicular lymphoma
- a type of lymphoma involving the skin called mycosis fungoides
- non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
- diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
- progressive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
- multiple myeloma
- acute lymphoid leukemia
- prevent nausea and vomiting from cancer chemotherapy
- prevent radiation-induced nausea and vomiting
- a hypersensitivity reaction to a drug
- increased calcium in the blood from cancer
- thyroid gland inflammation
- adrenogenital disorder
- inflammation of the sac surrounding the joint - bursitis
- a type of allergic reaction called angioedema
- decreased function of the adrenal gland
- acute inflammation of the joints due to gout attack
- joint inflammatory disease in children and young adults
- destruction of red blood cells by body's own antibodies
- Diamond Blackfan anemia
- anemia from too few young red blood cells
- low platelet count and bleeding from immune response
- decreased platelets due to a disease state or a drug
- subacute inflammation of the bursa
- a type of inflammation of both eyes
- fluid accumulation in the brain
- pure red cell aplasia
- inflammation of the uvea of the eye
- rheumatic fever
- acute inflammation of the heart with rheumatic fever
- inflammation of the covering of the heart or pericardium
- inflammation of the heart
- polyarteritis nodosa
- inflammation of the artery in the temple area
- inflammation of the blood vessels
- nausea and vomiting caused by cancer drugs
- ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory condition of the intestines
- metastatic prostate carcinoma
- vocal cord swelling
- prevent nausea and vomiting after surgery
- worsening asthma
- beryllium poisoning
- a respiratory illness called Loffler syndrome
- Crohn's disease
- inflammatory bowel disease
- a sensitivity to gluten called celiac disease
- nephrotic syndrome, a type of kidney disorder
- a type of allergy that causes red and itchy skin called atopic dermatitis
- contact dermatitis, a type of skin rash that occurs from contact with an offending substance
- eye inflammation
- chronic inflammatory skin disease marked by blisters
- pemphigus, a type of skin disorder
- severe newborn breathing problem with blue discoloration
- erythema multiforme, a type of allergic skin reaction
- skin rash with sloughing
- psoriasis associated with arthritis
- psoriasis
- reaction following transfusion with hives
- acute exacerbation of multiple sclerosis
- systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disease
- inflammation of skin and muscles all over the body
- rejection of a transplanted organ
- rheumatoid arthritis
- ankylosing spondylitis, a rheumatic disease causing pain and stiffness in backbone
- a serum sickness reaction
- inflammation of the elbow and surrounding tissue
- adjunct therapy for COVID-19 requiring oxygen or ventilatory support
- acceleration of fetal lung maturation