Dexamethasone Side Effects

The symptoms of dexamethasone side effects are quite serious and can lead to several complications if timely medication is not given to the patient. In spite of the fact that the side effects can be severe yet the drug is a potent medication for administering into areas of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions such as the rheumatoid, arthritis and bronchospasm.

It is to be used with prescription only and should not be self medicated by the person as it can have devastating effect on the body. The drug is usually seen to be administered in stages and thus the dosage is increased steadily at a specific period of time making the medication suitable to the person.

Advantageous application for multiple problems

Dexamethasone is a powerful synthetic steroid drug capable of performing as an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant. Studies have revealed that it is 20 to 30 times more potent than naturally occurring hormone known as cortisol and four to five times more potent than prednisone.

Dexamethasone is a potent synthetic drug mainly used in the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. However, through varies test applications it has been found to be as effective in the treatment of other problems too. For instance, dexamethasone is used for some forms of dental surgery. Again it has been found to be quite effective in the treatment of arthritis and other forms of illness.

Even in post surgery medication this drug has come as a handy prescription for the doctor in solving many of the post surgery problems with it. Dexamethasone side effects are most noticeable when the drug is suddenly stopped. In such cases the patient can lose his or her appetite, stomach problems, vomiting, confusion, fever, headache and pains in joint and muscle.

For some people there can be weight loss although the medication is not to be used for that purpose as this is only a side effect caused by the sudden stopping of the drug.

Multiple uses of Dexamethasone

There are other valuable contributions of dexamethasone in the treatment of diseases other than the above. The drug is seen to assist in several dental surgeries like the removal of wisdom teeth. Here, usually five to six tablets are given and this may be administered before or after the performance of the surgery. It otherwise leaves the patient with a puffy and swollen type of cheeks.

There are certain prominent ear drops, eye drops and nasal drops which are used after a surgery and dexamethasone is present in this mixture. It is also administered before antibiotics during the treatment of bacterial meningitis. The medication is used for treatment of disorders of skin, blood, kidney, eye, thyroid and colitis. The latter is a type of intestinal disorder.

The dexamethasone is also used in the treatment of certain types of cancer too although it cannot be used for each and every cancer growth malignant or not. However, the treatment with this medication may or may not go well with every patient and there may be signs of dexamethasone side effects visible in some.

The most common side effects associated with the dosage of dexamethasone is the patient’s allergy to it. As it is a powerful medication a lot of people cannot take it and hence the doctor has to prescribe other medicines.

Another great advantage of dexamethasone is that it produces a similar natural hormone produced by the adrenal gland. Again, when this chemical is in short supply in a patient’s body the drug is administered in order that it helps in production of a similar substance for its replacement. The name of the hormone is corticosteroid.

Further, dexamethasone comes in a tablet and solution form which can be taken by mouth. The storage of the drug must be done so that it is not within the reach of children. Besides, it can be stored in room temperatures and should be away from places where there is excess heat. All outdated dexamethasone should be thrown away and never to be used.

What are the Dexamethasone Side Effects

In a previous post, I have spoken about the spirulina side effects. There are several side effects associated with dexamethasone in the human body. A doctor must be immediately contacted or the patient rushed to a nearby hospital if he or she develops allergy to it. One should be careful of fungal infection while taking the medication especially so in parts other than your skin. In most cases fungal do take place on the skin which is not all that worrisome.

Patients with diseases of liver, kidney, intestinal disease, heart diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure, having a history of mental illness should consult the doctor and give him or her details of past diseases as the drug may have several implications. Again, people suffering from myasthenia gravis, osteoporosis, herpes, eye infections, seizures, tuberculosis or ulcer should immediately stop taking the drug and consult with the doctor for a different medication.

There are also mild side effects associated with the intake of dexamethasone in the average healthy human body. These can be removed by proper medication along with the intake of the drug and these may be in the form of stomach aches, dizziness, and increased hair growth, irregular or absent menstrual periods and other side effects. In these cases there is no need for withdrawal of the medication as the same can be controlled by the doctor and the patient need not worry about dexamethasone side effects constantly.

In the next post, lets talk about amlodipine side effects.