Learning About Tapering Dexamethasone

Dexamethasone is a steroid medicine that is similar to a hormone your body makes. It comes as a tablet or liquid taken by mouth.

The medicine reduces swelling and inflammation in the body. Doctors use it to treat many conditions, including allergies, asthma, and certain types of arthritis. It also can be used for skin disorders and some cancers. It may also help with nausea from chemotherapy.

Tapering means slowly lowering your dose over time instead of stopping all at once. When your doctor prescribes dexamethasone, you may also be given a plan to slowly lower your dose over time.

When you take this steroid for more than a short time, your body may slow down its own production of natural steroids. If you stop too quickly, your body may not have enough steroids to work properly. This is called adrenal insufficiency.

Tapering gives your body time to adjust and start making its own steroids again. Stopping suddenly can also cause steroid withdrawal syndrome, even when your adrenal glands are working normally.

Never stop taking the medicine without talking to your doctor first.

It's important to taper dexamethasone safely to help you avoid serious side effects. Your doctor will give you a schedule that tells you how much to take and when to lower your dose. Follow it exactly. Don't skip steps or lower your dose faster than directed.

Your doctor may adjust the schedule based on how you feel and what condition is being treated.

If you take it once a day and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular schedule. Don't take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed one.

If you are not sure what to do, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Common side effects include:

• Upset stomach.
• Headache or dizziness.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Increased appetite.
• Mood changes such as anxiety or depression.
• Weight gain, acne, or easy bruising.

This steroid can raise blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, check your levels more closely. It may also increase your risk of infection. Long-term use can affect bone density.

Contact your doctor right away if you notice swelling in your face or legs, vision changes, black or tarry stools, or muscle weakness.

If your dose is lowered too fast, your body may not have enough steroids and you may feel very unwell. Signs of withdrawal or adrenal insufficiency include:

• Extreme tiredness or weakness.
• Loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting.
• Headache.
• Fever.
• Joint or muscle pain.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness.
• Low blood pressure.

These symptoms can also happen after you finish tapering, so keep watching for them. If you have any of these symptoms, contact your doctor right away. You may need to go back to a higher dose for a short time.