Treats symptoms of many conditions such as joint disease, skin conditions, allergies, swelling, eye disease, and stomach or bowel disease. Also used to test for adrenal gland problems. This medicine is a corticosteroid
Brand Names:
Solurex LA, Cortastat LA, Dexasone L.A
Contraindications:
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to dexamethasone or sulfites, or if you have a fungal infection
Uses:
Injectable
Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or into a vein.
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. It may also be given by a home health caregiver.
You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine. Never share your medicine with anyone.
If a dose is missed:
This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, call your doctor for instructions.
Storage:
Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.
If you store this medicine at home, keep it at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Medicine that is mixed in an IV bag should be kept in the refrigerator and used within 24 hours after mixing.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.
Special precautions:
Before taking, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking, call your doctor
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using diuretics (water pills), blood thinners (Coumadin®), medicine for seizures (such as Dilantin®, phenobarbital), rifampin, indomethacin (Indocin®), or ephedrine (Primatene®).
You may need to change your diet (such as lowering salt intake) while you are using this medicine. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
Warnings:
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have diabetes, cataracts, glaucoma, recent heart attack, tuberculosis, asthma, allergies to other medicines, myasthenia gravis, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, stomach problems, mental illness, strongyloids (threadworm), herpes infection of the eye, liver disease, kidney disease, or thyroid problems.
It may be easier for you to get an infection while you are using this medicine. Avoid crowds or people who are sick. If you are exposed to chickenpox or measles, tell your doctor right away.
Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. Dexamethasone can alter the results of some medical tests.
If this medicine is injected into one of your joints, do not use the joint too much right away, even if it feels better.
Side Effects:
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in face or hands, swelling or tingling in the mouth or throat, tightness in chest, trouble breathing
Behavior changes
Black, bloody, or tarry stools, with severe stomach pain
Changes in vision, trouble seeing, eye discomfort or discharge
Diarrhea
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Fever
Freckles, changes in skin color
Increased stiffness or swelling in your joint or trouble moving your joint (if you were given a shot into a joint)
