Dexamethasone 500microgram tablets (1)

Dexamethasone is used where natural corticosteroid levels have been reduced and you need replacement therapy, in certain cases where swelling of the brain has occurred, if you are having diagnostic tests for diseases which may have an effect on natural corticosteroid production,, to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system, polymyalgia rheumatica (chronic inflammation of the larger arteries), polyarteritis nodosa (chronic inflammation of small and medium arteries), blood disorders including haemolytic anaemia (disorder which breaks down red blood cells), leukaemia, myeloma (bone tumour), Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the bowel particularly the rectum), hepatitis, polymyositis (inflammation of many muscles), increased pressure in the head not linked to tumours, worsening of multiple sclerosis and inflammation of the eye.

Along with its desired effect, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. If you have any of these side effects or any others you should inform your doctor.Serious side effects: tell a doctor straight away Steroids including dexamethasone can cause serious mental health problems. These are common in both adults and children. They can affect about 5 in every 100 people taking medicines like dexamethasone. These include: feeling depressed, including thinking about suicide feeling high (mania) or moods that go up and down feeling anxious, having problems sleeping, difficulty in thinking or being confused and losing your memory feeling, seeing or hearing things that do not exist. Having strange and frightening thoughts, changing how you act or having feelings of being alone. If you notice any of these problems, talk to a doctor straight away. Other side effects may be: A bad reaction to the medicine (which may show as a rash and swelling and in severe cases difficulty in breathing) Nausea, vomiting, hiccups, increased appetite, stomach discomfort and swollen abdomen, inflammation and ulcers in the oesophagus, peptic ulcers that may split and bleed, inflamed pancreas (which may show as pain in the back and abdomen), tearing of the bowel particularly if you have inflammatory bowel disease, changes to the number and movement of sperm, unusual fat deposits. Salt imbalances, water retention, potassium loss due to low carbon dioxide levels (hypokalaemic alkalosis), loss of protein and calcium balance Congestive heart failure in susceptible people, high blood pressure Thinning of the bone with an increased risk of fractures, bone disease, ruptured tendons, muscle wasting, weakness Thrush, greater chance of picking up infections, recurrence of tuberculosis if you have already had this infection, blood disorder due to infection Slow wound healing, thinned delicate skin, unusual marks on the skin, bruising, redness and inflammation of the skin, stretch marks, visible swollen capillaries, acne, increased sweating, impaired reaction to skin tests, skin rash, swelling, thinning of the hair Cataracts, increased pressure in the eye, swelling of the eye, thinning of the eye membranes, worsening of existing eye infections, protrusion of the eyeballs Blood clots Irregular and absence of menstrual cycles (periods), impairment of the body’s regulation of hormones, stunted growth in children and teenagers, swelling and weight gain of the body and face – ‘Cushingoid state’, development of excess body hair (particularly in women), weight gain, increased requirement for diabetic medication, change in effectiveness of the medicine following stress and trauma, surgery or illness. Fits and worsening of epilepsy, dizziness, headache, severe unusual headache with visual disturbances linked with the withdrawal of treatment, extreme mood swings, schizophrenia may become worse, depression, inability to sleep.

Keep out of the reach and sight of children. Do not store above 25°C. Do not refrigerate. Use within 3 months of opening. The label on the bottle shows an expiry date (month, year). Do not use this product after this date.