Decadron
Decadron: Indications, Side Effects, Warnings
Generic Name: dexamethasone (dex-a-METH-a-sone) Brand Name: Generic only. No brands
Decadron is used for:
Treating certain conditions associated with decreased adrenal gland function. It is also used to treat severe inflammation due to certain conditions, including severe asthma, severe allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, certain blood disorders, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and certain eye and skin conditions. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Decadron is a corticosteroid. It works by decreasing or preventing tissues from responding to inflammation. It also modifies the body's response to certain immune stimulation.
Do NOT use Decadron if:
you are allergic to any ingredient in Decadron
you have a systemic fungal infection
you are taking mifepristone
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Looking Ahead: New Drug Approvals for 2017
Before using Decadron:
Some medical conditions may interact with Decadron. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
if you are scheduled for a vaccination with a live virus vaccine (eg, smallpox)
if you have an underactive thyroid, liver or kidney problems, diabetes, or ulcerative colitis
if you have heart problems, esophagitis, gastritis, stomach obstruction or perforation, or an ulcer
if you have a history of mental problems (eg, depression), glaucoma, cataracts, or other eye problems
if you have a herpes infection in your eye or any other type of infection (bacterial, fungal, or viral); have or recently had tuberculosis (TB) or tested positive for TB, measles, or chickenpox
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Decadron. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), carbamazepine, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), or rifampin because they may decrease Decadron's effectiveness
Clarithromycin, azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole), steroidal contraceptives (eg, desogestrel), or troleandomycin because because weakness, confusion, muscle aches, joint pain, or low blood sugar, may occur
Methotrexate or ritodrine because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Decadron
Hydantoins (eg, phenytoin),mifepristone, or live vaccines because their effectiveness may be decreased by Decadron
Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) or aspirin because their actions and side effects may be increased or decreased by Decadron
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Decadron may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Decadron:
Use Decadron as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Take Decadron by mouth with food.
If you miss a dose of Decadron, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Decadron.
Important safety information:
Decadron may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.
Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Decadron before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
Decadron may cause an elevation in blood pressure, salt and water retention, and increased potassium loss. You may need to restrict the use of salt and take a calcium supplement.
Decadron can cause calcium loss and promote the development of osteoporosis. Take adequate calcium and vitamin D supplements.
Diabetes patients -- Decadron may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
Caution is advised when using Decadron in CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
Corticosteroids may affect growth rate in CHILDREN and teenagers in some cases. They may need regular growth checks while they take Decadron.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is not known if Decadron can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Decadron while you are pregnant. Decadron is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Decadron.
Possible side effects of Decadron:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Difficulty sleeping; feeling of a whirling motion; increased appetite; increased sweating; indigestion; mood changes; nervousness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); appetite loss; black, tarry stools; changes in menstrual periods; convulsions; depression; diarrhea; dizziness; exaggerated sense of well-being; fever; general body discomfort; headache; increased pressure in the eye; joint or muscle pain; mood swings; muscle weakness; personality changes; prolonged sore throat, cold, or fever; puffing of the face; severe nausea or vomiting; swelling of feet or legs; unusual weight gain; vomiting material that looks like coffee grounds; weakness; weight loss.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.
Proper storage of Decadron:
Store Decadron at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Decadron out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
If you have any questions about Decadron, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Decadron is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take Decadron or any other medicine. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about Decadron. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to Decadron. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. You must talk with your healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using Decadron.
Review Date: July 5, 2017
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For people recovering from surgery or dealing with a painful injury, an expert suggests that there are a number of safer alternatives for managing pain than using potentially addictive opioids.
ReplyDelete"Today, more than ever before, we have a host of other methods that can effectively lessen pain," Dr. James Grant, chair of the department of anesthesiology at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, said in a hospital news release.
The United States is grappling with an opioid addiction epidemic. There were 218,000 overdose deaths involving prescription opioids in 2017, five times higher than in 1999, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Many people become addicted when they receive prescription opioid medications after surgery or a major injury.
The first step in reducing opioid addiction is making patients realize that managing pain doesn't mean they are going to be pain-free, according to Grant.
"It's important for patients to understand that when you undergo surgery, you won't be entirely pain-free," he said. "We need to manage expectations and make sure patients understand there likely will be some discomfort associated with any procedure. But as days go by after the procedure, the discomfort should progressively subside a little until you get back to your pre-procedure state."
Grant also outlined a number of ways to manage pain without opioids.
For many patients, over-the-counter nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be just as effective as opioids, such as oxycodone (OxyContin).
When possible, doctors should consider a peripheral nerve block, which is an injection of a numbing medication near specific nerves that can decrease pain in a particular part of the body during and after surgery, Grant said.
Also, research shows that getting patients out of bed as soon as possible after surgery helps reduce pain and promote faster healing.
And family, friends or other caregivers should be recruited to monitor and manage medication use, communicate with care teams, and help patients stay mentally and physically fit after surgery.
Relaxation techniques such as meditation, reiki and yoga may help with pain, as well as exercise-based therapies customized for each patient and their condition. Other alternatives, like essential oils, massage and physical therapy may also help some patients, according to Grant.