Decadron Injection: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Decadron Injection contains dexamethasone, a corticosteroid medicine belonging to the glucocorticoid class. It is given by a healthcare provider to reduce inflammation and calm an overactive immune system in many different conditions. It is usually used when a person is unable to take medicine by mouth. This medicine requires careful use and monitoring due to its range of possible side effects and precautions.

What is Decadron Injection

Decadron injection is a corticosteroid medicine made from dexamethasone. It is used to reduce inflammation and calm an overactive immune system in many different conditions.

Decadron Injection uses

• Arthritis (reduces joint inflammation and pain)
• Severe allergic reactions and inflammatory skin conditions
• Certain blood disorders, including some types of anemia
• Severe asthma attacks
• Eye conditions such as uveitis
• Thyroid disorders such as thyroiditis
• Kidney conditions such as nephrotic syndrome
• Inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis
• Autoimmune diseases with overactive immune responses
• Severe, life-threatening allergic reactions
• Lupus, psoriasis, breathing disorders, blood cell disorders, leukemia, multiple sclerosis, inflammation of joints or tendons
• Low adrenal gland hormone levels
• Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
• Cerebral edema
• Multiple myeloma
• Gouty arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Bursitis
• May be used to help a baby's lungs develop if early delivery is expected during pregnancy

Benefits of Decadron Injection

• Reduces inflammation
• Suppresses an overactive immune system
• Helps relieve symptoms of arthritis, severe allergies, and certain skin disorders

How Decadron Injection works

Decadron injection works by reducing inflammation and calming an overactive immune system.

Decadron Injection dosage

A healthcare provider gives this injection into a muscle or a vein. This injection is usually given only if a person is unable to take the medicine by mouth. Only qualified healthcare providers should give this injection to make sure it is given correctly and the patient is monitored.

Dose needs may change if you have surgery, illness, stress, or a medical emergency, so tell your doctor about these situations. Do not stop using this medicine suddenly after long-term use without asking your doctor, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms.

Available forms and strengths

Injection

Side effects of Decadron Injection

Common

• Dizziness
• Vomiting or nausea
• Headache
• Acne
• Restlessness or mood changes
• Depression with prolonged use
• Fluid retention (swelling in hands or ankles)
• Increased blood pressure
• Slow wound healing
• Thinning skin, bruising or discoloration
• Changes in menstrual periods
• Changes in the shape or location of body fat
• Sleeplessness
• Agitation and anxiety
• Increased hair growth

Serious

• Skin thinning and easy bruising
• Changes in body fat distribution such as moon face or buffalo hump
• Increased facial and body hair
• Menstrual irregularities
• Impotence and reduced libido
• High blood pressure
• High blood sugar
• Osteoporosis
• Eye problems such as glaucoma or cataracts
• Fever, chills, tiredness
• Worsening pain, swelling, or stiffness of a treated joint
• Muscle weakness or limp feeling
• Rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath
• Blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights
• Bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood
• Seizures
• Signs of increased pressure inside the skull such as severe headaches, ringing in ears, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, or pain behind the eyes
• Pancreatitis symptoms such as severe upper stomach pain spreading to the back, with nausea and vomiting
• Low blood potassium symptoms such as leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in the chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness

Warnings and precautions

• Using this medicine for a long time can lower the body's natural cortisol production. Stopping it suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms like tiredness, weakness, body aches, and low blood pressure. The dose should be lowered gradually under a doctor's care.
• This medicine can weaken the immune system, making infections more likely or worse. Avoid contact with people who have contagious illnesses, especially chickenpox and measles, and report signs of infection like fever, sore throat, or a lasting cough.
• Children and elderly people are more likely to have side effects from this medicine. In children it may affect growth. In elderly people it can increase the risk of weak bones and high blood pressure.
• Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to it or if you have a fungal infection anywhere in your body.
• This medicine can weaken your immune system, making it easier to get an infection or making an existing infection worse. Tell your doctor about any illness or infection you had in the past several weeks.
• Avoid getting a live vaccine while using this medicine, as it could cause a serious infection. Also avoid other vaccines unless your doctor advises them.
• This medicine may be used during pregnancy to help a baby's lungs develop if early delivery is expected, but it should be used carefully because it can cross the placenta and affect the baby's growth and adrenal function. Always follow your doctor's advice.
• This medicine is not recommended while breastfeeding unless necessary. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease before using this medicine.
• Tell your doctor if you have liver disease, such as cirrhosis, before using this medicine.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while receiving this medicine.
• Use only under medical supervision, especially by injection.

Storage

• Store at room temperature, away from moisture and sunlight.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Do not use beyond the expiration date.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help if you notice signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor right away if you have fever, chills, tiredness, worsening joint pain or swelling, muscle weakness, sudden swelling or rapid weight gain, shortness of breath, vision changes, bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood, a seizure, severe headache with vision problems, symptoms of pancreatitis, or signs of low potassium such as leg cramps and irregular heartbeat.
• Tell your doctor if a child using this medicine is not growing at a normal rate.
• If exposed to chickenpox or measles while using this medicine, call your doctor since these illnesses can be serious or even fatal in people using steroid medicine.
• If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, seek emergency medical attention right away.

Alternatives

• Hydrocortisone Injection
• Methylprednisolone Injection
• Prednisone
• Prednisolone