How does Dexona (Dexamethasone) work:

Dexona (Dexamethasone) is used to treat conditions such as arthritis, blood/hormone/immune system disorders, allergic reactions, certain skin and eye conditions, breathing problems, certain bowel disorders, and certain cancers. It is also used as a test for an adrenal gland disorder (Cushing's syndrome). Dexona (Dexamethasone) is a corticosteroid hormone (glucocorticoid). It decreases your body's natural defensive response and reduces symptoms such as swelling and allergic-type reactions. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional. This drug may also be used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy.

Dosage & Administration:

Take Dexona (Dexamethasone) by mouth as directed by your physician. Dexona can be taken with food or milk to prevent stomach upset. If you are using the liquid form of the medication, use a medication-measuring device to carefully measure the prescribed dose. Do not use a household spoon. Take this medication once daily in the morning before 9am. The dosage and length of treatment are based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Your physician may attempt to reduce your dose slowly from time to time to minimize side effects.

Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your physician. Some conditions may become worse when this drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased. Inform your physician if your condition does not improve or worsens.

Side Effects:

• stomach upset
• headache
• dizziness
• menstrual changes
• trouble sleeping
• increased appetite
• weight gain
• fever
• sore throat
• bone or joint pain
• increased thirst or urination
• irregular heartbeat
• eye pain
• heartburn
• black stools
• vomiting
• puffy face
• swelling of the ankles or feet
• stomach pain
• tiredness
• mood changes
• muscle pain
• weakness
• easy bleeding
• thinning skin
• seizures
• rash
• itching
• swelling
• severe dizziness
• trouble breathing

Precautions:

Before taking Dexona (Dexamethasone), tell your physician or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other corticosteroids; or to propylene glycol (in the liquid form of this product); or if you have any other allergies. Dexona should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your physician or pharmacist if you have: active fungal infections. In addition, tell your physician or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: other infections, kidney disease, liver disease, mental/mood conditions, low blood minerals, thyroid disease, stomach/intestinal problems, high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, eye diseases, brittle bones, certain nerve/muscle problems, and history of blood clots.

Before having surgery, tell your physician or dentist that you are using this medication or have taken it within the last 12 months. Do not have immunizations, vaccinations, or skin tests unless specifically directed by your physician. Live vaccines may cause serious complications if given while you are taking this medication. Avoid contact with people who have recently received oral polio vaccine or flu vaccine inhaled through the nose. Avoid contact with people who have chickenpox or measles unless you have previously had these diseases. If you are exposed to one of these infections and you have not previously had it, seek immediate medical attention.

If you have a history of ulcers or take large doses of aspirin or other arthritis medication, limit alcoholic beverages while taking this medication to decrease the risk of stomach/intestinal bleeding. Consult your physician or pharmacist for more details. If you have diabetes, this drug may make it harder to control your blood sugar levels. Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly and inform your physician of the results. Your medicine, exercise plan, or diet may need to be adjusted.

Further Advice:

Your physician or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully since many medications contain pain relievers/fever reducers (NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen) that may increase the risk of stomach bleeding. Low-dose aspirin should be continued if prescribed by your physician for specific medical reasons such as heart attack or stroke prevention (usually at dosages of 81-325 mg a day). Consult your physician or pharmacist for more details. Dexona may interfere with certain laboratory tests, possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your physicians know you use this drug.

Caution is advised when using this drug for long periods in children. This medication may temporarily slow down a child's rate of growth, but it will probably not affect final adult height. Monitor your child's height periodically. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your physician. Infants born to mothers who have been using this medication for an extended time and/or at high doses may have low levels of corticosteroid hormone. Tell your physician immediately if you notice symptoms such as persistent nausea/vomiting, severe diarrhea, or weakness in your newborn. This drug may pass into breast milk and could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Therefore, breast-feeding is not recommended while using this medication. Consult your physician before breast- feeding. Use caution while engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages.