Drugs & Vitamins

Decadron-LA Injection Active Ingredients: Dexamethasone Injection Representative Names: Decadrol Injection, Decadron Injection, Decadron-LA Injection, Hexadrol Injection What is dexamethasone injection? What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine? How should I use this medicine? What if I miss a dose? What drug(s) may interact with dexamethasone? What side effects may I notice from receiving dexamethasone? What should I watch for while taking dexamethasone? Where can I keep my medicine? What is dexamethasone injection? (Back to top) DEXAMETHASONE (Decadron®, Decadron-LA®, Decadrol®, Hexadrol®) is a corticosteroid. It helps to reduce swelling, redness, itching, and allergic reactions. Dexamethasone is similar to natural steroid hormone produced by the adrenal gland. Dexamethasone treats severe allergies, skin problems, asthma, arthritis and other conditions. Generic dexamethasone injections are available. What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine? (Back to top) They need to know if you have any of these conditions: •diabetes •blood clotting problems •heart, liver, or kidney disease •high blood pressure •infection; measles, tuberculosis, herpes or chickenpox •mental problems or psychosis •myasthenia gravis •osteoporosis •previous heart attack •seizures (convulsions) •stomach or intestinal disease •under-active thyroid •an unusual or allergic reaction to dexamethasone, corticosteroids, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives •pregnant or trying to get pregnant •breast-feeding How should I use this medicine? (Back to top) Dexamethasone is for injection into a muscle, joint, soft tissue, or lesion. Injection solution can also be injected into a vein, but the long-acting suspension is not for injection into veins. Injections are given by a health-care professional in a hospital, clinic, or prescriber's office. Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed. What if I miss a dose? (Back to top) This may not apply. If you are having a series of injections over a prolonged period, try not to miss an appointment. Call your prescriber or health care professional to reschedule if you are unable to keep an appointment. What drug(s) may interact with dexamethasone? (Back to top) •antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen) •barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures (convulsions) •bosentan •certain heart medicines •female hormones, including contraceptive or birth control pills •medicines for diabetes •medicines that improve muscle tone or strength for conditions like myasthenia gravis •phenytoin •rifampin •vaccines and other immunization products •water pills •warfarin Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines. What side effects may I notice from receiving dexamethasone? (Back to top) Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible: •bloody or black, tarry stools •confusion, excitement, restlessness, a false sense of well-being •eye pain, decreased or blurred vision, or bulging eyes •fever, sore throat, sneezing, cough, or other signs of infection •frequent passing of urine •hallucinations (seeing and hearing things that are not really there) •increased thirst •irregular heartbeat •menstrual problems •mental depression, mood swings, mistaken feelings of self-importance, mistaken feelings of being mistreated •muscle cramps or muscle weakness •nausea, vomiting •pain in hips, back, ribs, arms, shoulders, or legs •pain, redness, or irritation at the injection site •rounding out of face •skin problems, acne •stomach pain •swelling of feet or lower legs •unusual bruising or red pinpoint spots on the skin •unusual tiredness or weakness •weight gain or weight loss •wounds that will not heal Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome): •diarrhea or constipation •change in taste •headache •increased appetite or loss of appetite •increased sweating •nervousness, restlessness, or difficulty sleeping •unusual increased growth of hair on the face or body •upset stomach What should I watch for while taking dexamethasone? (Back to top) Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. If you are receiving corticosteroids for a long time, carry an identification card with your name, the type and dose of corticosteroid, and your prescriber's name and address. If you receive corticosteroids for a long time, avoid contact with people who have an infection. You may be at an increased risk from infection while taking dexamethasone. Tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are exposed to anyone with measles or chickenpox, or if you develop sores or blisters that do not heal properly. People who are taking certain dosages of dexamethasone may need to avoid immunization with certain vaccines or may need to have changes in their vaccination schedules to ensure adequate protection from certain diseases. Make sure to tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking dexamethasone before receiving any vaccine. If dexamethasone is injected into one of your joints, do not put too much stress on the joint. Talk to your prescriber or health care professional about how much you can use the joint while it is healing. If you are diabetic, dexamethasone can affect your blood sugar. Check with your prescriber or health care professional if you need help adjusting the dose of your diabetic medicine. If you are going to have surgery tell your prescriber or health care professional that you have received dexamethasone within the last 12 months. Alcohol can increase the risk of getting serious side effects while you are receiving dexamethasone. Avoid alcoholic drinks. Elderly patients have an increased risk of side effects from dexamethasone. Dexamethasone can interfere with certain lab tests and can cause false skin test results. Where can I keep my medicine? (Back to top) Keep out of the reach of children. Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F); do not freeze. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date. Last Updated:02/10/2002 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY© GOLD STANDARD MULTIMEDIA INC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before taking the product.