Dexamethasone (Dexamethasone) - Side Effects and Adverse Reactions

ADVERSE REACTIONS

(listed alphabetically, under each subsection)

The following adverse reactions have been reported with dexamethasone or other corticosteroids:

Allergic Reactions

Anaphylactoid reaction, anaphylaxis, angioedema.

Cardiovascular

Bradycardia, cardiac arrest, cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac enlargement, circulatory collapse, congestive heart failure, fat embolism, hypertension, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in premature infants, myocardial rupture following recent myocardial infarction (see WARNINGS: Cardio-Renal), edema, pulmonary edema, syncope, tachycardia, thromboembolism, thrombophlebitis, vasculitis.

Dermatologic

Acne, allergic dermatitis, dry scaly skin, ecchymoses and petechiae, erythema, impaired wound healing, increased sweating, rash, striae, suppression of reactions to skin tests, thin fragile skin, thinning scalp hair, urticaria.

Endocrine

Decreased carbohydrate and glucose tolerance, development of cushingoid state, hyperglycemia, glycosuria, hirsutism, hypertrichosis, increased requirements for insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents in diabetes, manifestations of latent diabetes mellitus, menstrual irregularities, secondary adrenocortical and pituitary unresponsiveness (particularly in times of stress, as in trauma, surgery, or illness), suppression of growth in pediatric patients.

Fluid and Electrolyte Disturbances

Congestive heart failure in susceptible patients, fluid retention, hypokalemic alkalosis, potassium loss, sodium retention.

Gastrointestinal

Abdominal distention, elevation in serum liver enzyme levels (usually reversible upon discontinuation), hepatomegaly, increased appetite, nausea, pancreatitis, peptic ulcer with possible perforation and hemorrhage, perforation of the small and large intestine (particularly in patients with inflammatory bowel disease), ulcerative esophagitis.

Metabolic

Negative nitrogen balance due to protein catabolism.

Musculoskeletal

Aseptic necrosis of femoral and humeral heads, loss of muscle mass, muscle weakness, osteoporosis, pathologic fracture of long bones, steroid myopathy, tendon rupture, vertebral compression fractures.

Neurological/Psychiatric

Convulsions, depression, emotional instability, euphoria, headache, increased intracranial pressure with papilledema (pseudotumor cerebri) usually following discontinuation of treatment, insomnia, mood swings, neuritis, neuropathy, paresthesia, personality changes, psychic disorders, vertigo.

Ophthalmic

Exophthalmos, glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure, posterior subcapsular cataracts.

Other

Abnormal fat deposits, decreased resistance to infection, hiccups, increased or decreased motility and number of spermatozoa, malaise, moon face, weight gain.

REPORTS OF SIDE EFFECTS / ADVERSE REACTIONS RELATED TO DEXAMETHASONE

Possible Dexamethasone side effects / adverse reactions in 59 year old male

Reported by a physician from France on 2007-01-09

Patient: 59 year old male

Reactions: Haemophilus Infection

Adverse event resulted in: hospitalization

Suspect drug(s):
Velcade
    Dosage: 2.60 mg
    Indication: Multiple Myeloma
    Start date: 2006-09-04
    End date: 2006-11-23

Dexamethasone
    Indication: Multiple Myeloma
    Start date: 2006-09-04
    End date: 2006-11-23

Possible Dexamethasone side effects / adverse reactions in 70 year old female

Reported by a consumer/non-health professional from United States on 2007-01-11

Patient: 70 year old female weighing 49.9 kg (109.8 pounds)

Reactions: Diabetes Mellitus, Musculoskeletal Pain, Fatigue, Arthralgia, Hair Texture Abnormal, Insomnia, Asthenia, Drug Dependence

Suspect drug(s):
Arimidex
    Administration route: Oral
    Indication: Breast Cancer
    Start date: 2005-12-01

Dexamethasone

Other drugs received by patient: Morphine; Thalomix

Possible Dexamethasone side effects / adverse reactions in 37 year old male

Reported by a individual with unspecified qualification on 2007-01-12

Patient: 37 year old male

Reactions: Abdominal Pain, Gastrointestinal Haemorrhage, Drug Ineffective, Nausea, Hypotension, Duodenal Ulcer, Gastric Ulcer, Gastric Haemorrhage, Haemoglobin Decreased, Fatigue, Sinus Tachycardia, Melaena

Adverse event resulted in: hospitalization

Suspect drug(s):
Aspirin
    Indication: Headache

Dexamethasone
    Dosage: initially 8 mg followed by 4 mg every 8 h
    Administration route: Oral
    Indication: Prophylaxis

Dexamethasone
    Indication: Mountain Sickness Acute