| Buy Generic Decadron | | | | signs of infection and impair the body's natural |
| NURSING MOTHERS: Dexamethasone has not been | | | | immune response that is important in fighting |
| adequately evaluated in nursing mothers. | | | | infection. Patients on corticosteroids are more |
| Corticosteroids appear in breast milk and may cause | | | | susceptible to infections and can develop more |
| side effects in infants. | | | | serious infections than individuals not receiving |
| SIDE EFFECTS: Side effects of dexamethasone | | | | corticosteroids. For example, chickenpox and measles |
| depend on the dose, the duration and the frequency | | | | viruses can produce serious and even fatal illnesses in |
| of administration. Short courses of dexamethasone | | | | patients on high doses of dexamethasone. Live virus |
| usually are well tolerated with few and mild side | | | | vaccines, such as smallpox vaccine, should be avoided |
| effects. Long term, high dose dexamethasone usually | | | | in patients taking high doses of dexamethasone, |
| will produce predictable and potentially serious side | | | | since even vaccine viruses may cause disease in |
| effects. Whenever possible, the lowest effective | | | | these patients. Some infectious organisms, such as |
| dose of dexamethasone should be used for the | | | | tuberculosis (TB) and malaria, can remain dormant in a |
| shortest possible length of time to minimize side | | | | patient for years. Dexamethasone and other |
| effects. Alternate day dosing also can help reduce | | | | corticosteroids can reactivate dormant infections. |
| side effects. | | | | Patients with dormant tuberculosis may require |
| Side effects of dexamethasone and other | | | | treatment of the TB while undergoing corticosteroid |
| corticosteroids range from mild annoyances to | | | | treatment. |
| serious irreversible damage. Side effects include fluid | | | | By interfering with the patient's immune response, |
| retention, weight gain, high blood pressure, loss of | | | | dexamethasone can impede the effectiveness of |
| potassium, headache, muscle weakness, puffiness of | | | | vaccinations. Dexamethasone can also interfere with |
| and hair growth on the face, thinning and easy | | | | the tuberculin (TB) skin test and cause falsely |
| bruising of skin, glaucoma, cataracts, peptic ulceration, | | | | negative results in patients with dormant tuberculosis |
| worsening of diabetes, irregular menses, growth | | | | infection. |
| retardation in children, convulsions, and psychic | | | | Dexamethasone impairs calcium absorption and new |
| disturbances. Psychic disturbances include depression, | | | | bone formation. Patients on prolonged treatment with |
| euphoria, insomnia, mood swings, personality changes, | | | | dexamethasone and other corticosteroids can |
| and even psychotic behavior. | | | | develop osteoporosis and an increased risk of bone |
| Buy Generic Decadron | | | | fractures. Supplemental calcium and vitamin D are |
| Prolonged use of dexamethasone can depress the | | | | encouraged to slow this process of bone thinning. It |
| ability of body's adrenal glands to produce | | | | has been demonstrated in some groups of patients |
| corticosteroids. Abruptly stopping dexamethasone in | | | | treated with steroids that the loss of bone may be |
| these individuals can cause symptoms of | | | | prevented by treatment with biphosphonate drugs, |
| corticosteroid insufficiency, with accompanying | | | | for example, alendronate (Fosamax). |
| nausea, vomiting, and even shock. Therefore, | | | | In rare individuals, destruction of large joints can |
| withdrawal of dexamethasone usually is accomplished | | | | occur while undergoing treatment with |
| by gradually reducing the dose. Gradually tapering | | | | dexamethasone or other corticosteroids. These |
| dexamethasone not only minimizes the symptoms of | | | | patients experience severe pain in the involved joints, |
| corticosteroid insufficiency, but also reduces the risk | | | | and can require joint replacements. The reason behind |
| of an abrupt flare of the disease under treatment. | | | | such destruction is not clear. |
| Dexamethasone and other corticosteroids can mask | | | | |