Generic name: Dexamethasone Elixir and Solution [ deks-a-METH-a-sone ]
Drug class: Glucocorticoids

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 22, 2024.

Uses of Dexamethasone Elixir and Solution:

• It is used for many health problems like allergy signs, asthma, adrenal gland problems, blood problems, skin rashes, or swelling problems. This is not a list of all health problems that dexamethasone elixir and solution may be used for. Talk with the doctor.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Dexamethasone Elixir and Solution?

• If you are allergic to dexamethasone elixir and solution; any part of dexamethasone elixir and solution; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have any of these health problems: A fungal infection or malaria infection in the brain.
• If you have a herpes infection of the eye.
• If you have nerve problems in the eye.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with dexamethasone elixir and solution.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take dexamethasone elixir and solution with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Dexamethasone Elixir and Solution?

For all uses of dexamethasone elixir and solution:

• This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take dexamethasone elixir and solution.
• You may have more chance of getting an infection. Wash hands often. Stay away from people with infections, colds, or flu.
• Call your doctor right away if you have any signs of infection like fever, chills, flu-like signs, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or a wound that will not heal.
• Chickenpox and measles can be very bad or even deadly in some people taking steroid drugs like dexamethasone elixir and solution. Avoid being near anyone with chickenpox or measles if you have not had these health problems before. If you have been exposed to chickenpox or measles, talk with your doctor.
• High blood pressure has happened with dexamethasone elixir and solution. Have your blood pressure checked as you have been told by your doctor.
• Long-term use may raise the chance of cataracts or glaucoma. Talk with the doctor.
• This medicine may cause weak bones (osteoporosis) with long-term use. Talk with your doctor to see if you have a higher chance of weak bones or if you have any questions.
• Talk with your doctor before getting any vaccines. Use of some vaccines with dexamethasone elixir and solution may either raise the chance of an infection or make the vaccine not work as well.
• If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your blood sugar closely. Tell your doctor if you get signs of high blood sugar like confusion, feeling sleepy, more thirst, more hungry, passing urine more often, flushing, fast breathing, or breath that smells like fruit.
• Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol.
• A type of cancer (Kaposi's sarcoma) has happened in people taking drugs like this one for a long time. Talk with the doctor.
• If you are 65 or older, use dexamethasone elixir and solution with care. You could have more side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.
• If you used dexamethasone elixir and solution when you were pregnant, tell your baby's doctor.

Cancer treatment:

• Patients with cancer who take dexamethasone elixir and solution may be at a greater risk of getting a severe health problem called tumor lysis syndrome (TLS).This may lead to death. Call your doctor right away if you have a fast or abnormal heartbeat; any passing out; trouble passing urine; muscle weakness or cramps; upset stomach, throwing up, diarrhea, or not able to eat; or feel sluggish.

How is this medicine (Dexamethasone Elixir and Solution) best taken?

Use dexamethasone elixir and solution as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take in the morning if taking once a day.
• Take with food to prevent an upset stomach.
• Make sure you have the right liquid; there is more than one strength.
• Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with dexamethasone elixir and solution. If there is none, ask the pharmacist for a device to measure dexamethasone elixir and solution.
• Keep taking dexamethasone elixir and solution as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
• If you take cholestyramine, you may need to take it at some other time than dexamethasone elixir and solution. Talk with your pharmacist.
• Tell all of your health care providers that you take dexamethasone elixir and solution. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• Have your eye pressure checked if you are on dexamethasone elixir and solution for a long time. Talk with your doctor.
• Have a bone density test as you have been told by your doctor. Talk with your doctor.
• Do not stop taking dexamethasone elixir and solution all of a sudden without calling your doctor. You may have a greater risk of side effects. If you need to stop dexamethasone elixir and solution, you will want to slowly stop it as ordered by your doctor.
• You may need to lower how much salt is in your diet and take extra potassium. Talk with your doctor.
• This medicine lowers how much natural steroid your body makes. Tell your doctor if you have fever, infection, surgery, or injury. Your body's normal response to these stresses may be affected. You may need extra doses of steroid.
• This medicine may affect allergy skin tests. Be sure your doctor and lab workers know you take dexamethasone elixir and solution.
• This medicine may affect growth in children and teens in some cases. They may need regular growth checks. Talk with the doctor.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

Related/similar drugs

Entyvio, Carvykti, Abecma, Nplate, Otezla, Tecvayli, Sotyktu, Cimzia, Stelara, acetaminophen

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of low potassium levels like muscle pain or weakness, muscle cramps, or a heartbeat that does not feel normal.
• Signs of a pancreas problem (pancreatitis) like very bad stomach pain, very bad back pain, or very bad upset stomach or throwing up.
• Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
• Signs of a weak adrenal gland like a very bad upset stomach or throwing up, very bad dizziness or passing out, muscle weakness, feeling very tired, mood changes, not hungry, or weight loss.
• Signs of Cushing's disease like weight gain in the upper back or belly, moon face, very bad headache, or slow healing.
• Feeling very tired, weak, or touchy; trembling; having a fast heartbeat, confusion, sweating, or dizziness if you missed a dose or recently stopped dexamethasone elixir and solution.
• Shortness of breath, a big weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs.
• Skin changes (pimples, stretch marks, slow healing, hair growth).
• Fast, slow, or abnormal heartbeat.
• Chest pain or pressure.
• Swelling, warmth, numbness, change of color, or pain in a leg or arm.
• Period (menstrual) changes.
• Bone or joint pain.
• Muscle pain or weakness.
• Change in eyesight.
• Change in the way you act.
• Depression or other mood changes.
• Seizures.
• A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
• Any unexplained bruising or bleeding.
• Very bad belly pain.
• Black, tarry, or bloody stools.
• Throwing up blood or throw up that looks like coffee grounds.

What are some other side effects of Dexamethasone Elixir and Solution?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Restlessness.
• Sweating a lot.
• Hair thinning.
• Headache.
• Feeling dizzy, tired, or weak.
• Weight gain.
• More hungry.
• Hiccups.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Dexamethasone Elixir and Solution?

• Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about dexamethasone elixir and solution, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Frequently asked questions

• How long does dexamethasone stay in your system?
• What is a dexamethasone suppression test used for?
• Can I use expired neomycin and polymyxin b sulfates, dexamethasone ophthalmic?

View more FAQ

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer