Decadron (dexamethasone) is a corticosteroid, similar to a natural hormone produced by the adrenal glands, used to treat arthritis, skin, blood, kidney, eye, thyroid, intestinal tract conditions, serious allergic reactions, and asthma. Decadron is likewise utilized to treat particular types of cancer and occasionally, cerebral edema.
The brand name Decadron is no longer available in the U.S; it may be offered as a generic. Side effects of Decadron (dexamethasone) might include:
- queasiness,
- vomiting,
- stomach upset,
- headache,
- lightheadedness,
- acne,
- skin rash,
- increased hair growth,
- irregular menstrual periods,
- problem sleeping,
- increased cravings,
- weight gain,
- easy bruising,
- stress and anxiety, or
- anxiety.
Side effects of Decadron (dexamethasone) listed above might become serious and include:
- GI bleeding,
- increased susceptibility to many kinds of infections, and
- swelling.
Decadron is readily available in strengths of 0.5 and 0.75 mg tablets. Decadron may communicate with aminoglutethimide, potassium-depleting agents (e.g., amphotericin B, diuretics), macrolide antibiotics, anticholinesterases, oral anticoagulants, antidiabetics, antitubercular drugs, cholestyramine, cyclosporine, dexamethasone suppression tests (DST), digitalis glycosides, ephedrine, estrogens and contraceptive pills, barbiturates, phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampin, ketoconazole, aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), phenytoin, skin tests, thalidomide, and live or suspended vaccines. Tell your medical professional all medications and supplements you utilize and all vaccines you just recently received. Decadron ought to be utilized during pregnancy or throughout breastfeeding only if the possible benefit validates the possible risk to the fetus or infant. Babies may suffer adrenal suppression if their mothers use this drug throughout pregnancy. In special instances (for example, leukemia and nephrotic syndrome), Decadron has actually been used in pediatric patients. Such use should be done in the majority of patients in combination with a pediatric specialist.
What Are Steroids?
When ENT surgeons mention steroids, we are usually referring to corticosteroids, which are produced naturally in the adrenal glands to help reduce bodily inflammation and handle tension and stress and anxiety. Cortisol and artificial steroids such as prednisone lower swelling, avoid the migration of leukocyte, and stabilize the membrane of cells that launch inflammatory mediators.
Other types of steroids consist of aldosterone, which is also produced in the adrenal gland and manages the balance of sodium and potassium in the body, and the sex steroids, which manage secondary sex characteristics and recreation. Anabolic steroids abused by professional athletes are a form of testosterone, a sex steroid.
Steroids are frequently utilized by otolaryngologists to treat:
- Allergic reactions
- Asthma
- Sinusitis
- Nasal polyps
- Ear infections
- Abrupt hearing loss
Oral Steroids
A short course of prednisone or methylprednisolone will likely make you feel better. Steroids boast your energy level, ease pain and queasiness, block allergies, decrease swelling, diminish nasal polyps, reduce asthma, and can even restore hearing in some patients with unexpected deafness. However, steroids must be utilized with care, because they can have significant addictive potential and cause severe side effects– particularly with long-lasting use. For this factor, oral or systemic steroids are booked for the most urgent uses, and topical or local steroids are preferred.
Risks of Systemic Steroids
Steroids are the most reliable anti-inflammatory drugs readily available, and are derivatives of natural hormones which the body creates to assist the body cope with injury or stress. Nevertheless, extended usage of oral or systemic steroids can result in suppression of normal steroid levels in the body. For that reason, these medications must be taken exactly as recommended, usually in a gradually reducing dose, to prevent abrupt withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms are unusual in patients who have utilized steroids for less than two weeks at a time.
Continued or repeated use of steroids can decrease your ability to eliminate infection and can lead to weight gain, fluid retention, acne, increased body hair, purple marks on the abdomen, collection of fatty deposits under the skin, and simple bruising. High dosages of steroids will frequently cause anxiousness, insomnia, excitation, and sometimes anxiety or confusion. Steroids can also cause elevation of blood glucose or blood pressure or change in salt balance. Extended steroids can trigger thinning of the bones, muscle weakness, glaucoma, and cataracts. They can intensify ulcers. Patients who are pregnant, have a history of stomach ulcers, glaucoma, diabetes, high blood pressure, tuberculosis, osteoporosis, or current vaccination, need to not take steroids unless definitely essential. A very uncommon problem of steroids is disruption of the blood supply to the hip bone which can lead to a fracture that needs a hip replacement.
Luckily, all of these problems are extremely unusual in patients treated with short-term doses of steroids. If your doctor has prescribed systemic steroids as dexamethasone shot for sinus infection, she or he has actually likely judged that the threat of these problems is exceeded by the prospective benefit for the treatment of your disease. If you have any questions about this information or the instructions on how to take your steroids, please speak to your doctor before you start the medication.
Alternatives to systemic steroids include topical applications to the nose, skin, lung or ear, so that the systemic dosage — that which distributes through the body– is significantly reduced. Topical steroids greatly decrease the threat of extended use of steroids.
