Medication Information Leaflet
Dexamethasone belongs to a class of medications called corticosteroids. Corticosteroids can help to treat conditions involving inflammation (signs include warmth, redness, swelling and pain).
Dexamethasone can be used to:
This medication can also be used for other conditions. Check with your doctor if you are unsure why you are taking this medication.
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose. (or change to whatever is appropriate)
Before starting on this medication, inform your doctor if you:
If you come into contact with anyone who has an infectious disease such as chickenpox, shingles or measles, please see your doctor as soon as possible. Dexamethasone decreases your body’s natural immune response and you may be at higher risk of getting these diseases
If you have been advised to get vaccines, inform your healthcare provider that you are taking Dexamethasone. Some vaccines may not be suitable for use in persons taking Dexamethasone.
Some side effects may include:
Inform your doctor if any side effect lasts for more than a few days, if you are unable to tolerate them or the side effects become serious.
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
Other rare but serious side effects that may occur include:
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.
Please inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications, before you start taking Dexamethasone:
Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking or intend to take any other medications, supplements, traditional medications or herbal remedies.
Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.
Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.
Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.
If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.
This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.
Last updated on Nov 2022
This article was last reviewed on Thursday, June 22, 2023