Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid medication that is used to treat a variety of conditions, including inflammation, severe allergies, adrenal problems, arthritis, asthma, blood or bone marrow problems, kidney problems, skin conditions, and flare-ups of multiple sclerosis. It is also used to treat certain types of cancer. Dexamethasone works by suppressing the immune systems response to various diseases, which helps to relieve swelling, redness, itching, and allergic reactions.
Dexamethasone is available in tablet and liquid form, and the dosing schedule will be prescribed by a doctor based on the patients condition. It is important to follow the directions on the prescription label carefully and not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by a doctor.
While taking dexamethasone, patients should be aware that it can make them more susceptible to illnesses, and they should avoid exposure to chickenpox, measles, or tuberculosis (TB) . Patients should also report any injuries or signs of infection that occur during treatment.
In addition to its approved uses, dexamethasone has also been used off-label to treat chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, prevent and treat altitude sickness, and treat spinal cord compression due to metastases in oncological cases.