Dexamethasone and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Mev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2021

For Inflammatory Conditions "I was prescribed this because of multiple injuries in a car crash (multiple disc herniations and other injuries), and the doc thought it'd help relieve the inflammation. The doc wanted me to take it for roughly a week, but I couldn't tolerate the side effects after 2.5 days, which I started feeling within hours of the first dose. I experienced sweating profusely around the clock, really bad suicidal thoughts, severe rage issues (I'm normally calm), severe dry mouth, increased inflammation, shortness of breath, heaviness in my chest, exhaustion, dizziness, weight gain, increased appetite, increased pains in the injured areas, no sleep for three days straight, extremely high anxiety with panic attacks, blurred and double vision, and an absolutely horrific headache that wouldn't go away even with ibuprofen. I also experienced crying fits, and I'm not a crier. This medicine didn't help me at all. The brutal side effects I endured aren't worth taking it for me. If you have any sensitivity to them, I don't recommend taking this steroid."

• Sam...
• August 30, 2018

For Cerebral Edema "I was put on Dexamethasone to treat Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis, aka blood clots in my brain. It was prescribed to reduce inflammation in my brain. I was put on such a high dose that I shook like a leaf in the wind. I felt like I was jittering inside of my body. I took my doses 4 times a day for 8+ weeks before we began to taper down from the stuff. I was on it for 12 weeks in total. I ended up putting on 80 pounds of water weight. My face was so swollen that I couldn't see more than a foot in front of me through my blurry slits for eyes. I slept maybe 3-4 hours a night if I was lucky. I dripped with the cold sweats, literally. I ended up on water pills, along with 9 other medications. It took at least 6 months and outpatient therapy to recover from depression side effects. My body has never fully recovered from this medication. I have had issues including a buffalo hump and some bone loss. Spare yourself the pain and trauma."

• Old...
• February 15, 2017

For Cerebral Edema "I had a seizure, which led to them finding a brain tumor. They put me on Dexa in the ER and I was on it for 2 months after the craniotomy to prevent brain swelling. Don't quite remember the dosing, it was a 1 mg or 2 mg pill I took 2 or 3 times a day. I had insomnia (slept maybe 3 hours a night even on two Percocet every 4 hours), painful acne all over my face and back, mood swings, crazy hunger and weight gain, erectile dysfunction, headaches, and joint pain. I suppose it did what it was supposed to, but the side effects were horrible. Even if I had another tumor, I don't think I'd ever use it again."

• Luu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 25, 2016

For Nausea/Vomiting, Chemotherapy Induced "I have a brain tumor, and it did the job it had to do, but the side effects were horrendous! Gained 10 kg in 1 month! Moon face, which made me unrecognizable, feeling of depression! Very outspoken to my family, which is totally unlike me! Have been off them for 2 months now, haven't lost any of the weight yet, but my body is starting to deflate, feel like I have mainly water retention."

• Wen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 9, 2016

For Inflammatory Conditions "I have CIDP - currently taking dexamethasone 40 mg (yes, forty mg) daily over 4 consecutive days of the month. Side effects are horrendous, though thankfully my condition is improving. Insomnia, weight gain, swollen legs and feet, blurred vision, agitation, increased appetite, and flushed face are the most debilitating, but only last for 6 days after finishing the last dose. Treatment plan is 6 months, I am on my fourth dose, and as the months go on, the side effects are getting worse. Would I accept this treatment again... probably not, but it does help my condition."

• Bla...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 1, 2023

For Inflammatory Conditions "I was prescribed a high dosage of Dex for what they originally thought was Crohn's, which turned out to be lupus. Unfortunately, the Dex ruined my life. When I tried to stop taking it, I experienced convulsions in my legs. Initially, I thought it was a symptom of the illness, but it turned out to be the steroid. Despite being a 5'2" athletic woman, I gained 200 pounds over the ten months they had me on it. I developed Cushing's syndrome, resulting in a 'moon face' and a hump on my back. The doctors were unable to pull off a tapering schedule, so I did it myself, slowly. What started as adrenal fatigue soon became adrenal insufficiency. I lost my hair and suffered kidney damage/failure. Dexamethasone psychosis developed, causing me to hallucinate. I also experienced bone loss and excruciating pain while walking. There were times when I couldn't even walk at all. Eventually, I developed kidney failure, and I was swelling so much that I got an impinged nerve. Despite losing the 200 pounds after a slow self-directed taper that almost killed me, I have significant scarring, and the nerve damage was permanent."

• Pri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 2, 2016

Dexamethasone for Inflammatory Conditions "I was given dexamethasone for my cluster headaches. My Dr. injects it with lidocaine in the back of my head. It did take away my headaches for 3 months. I immediately knew when it wore off because I received one of the worst headaches. I had forgotten what it felt like to get a headache. I just received more injections for the 2nd time. He gives me about 5 injections on each side of my head at once. I have gained weight and have a swollen face sometimes."

• Leo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 24, 2024

For Inflammatory Conditions "It works wonders for inflammation and pain. But if you take it for some months - like I had to - the chances of adverse side effects go up exponentially. In my case, that translated as a 30-pound weight gain."

• Luc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 30, 2022

For Nausea/Vomiting, Chemotherapy Induced "Taking this as pre-med on chemo day and then for 4 days after. Side effects include: insomnia-I'm still up, it's 5 AM, weight gain-I'm always hungry, swollen hands, legs, and feet, blurred vision, lingering dry cough, voice also goes in and out, constant headaches, swollen face and neck, painful bloating, and I'm not overweight. Talked to the doctor, and it was decided that I would only take it on chemo day. Phew!"

• Sai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 4, 2022

For Nausea/Vomiting, Chemotherapy Induced "I'm given 8 mg IV dexamethasone prior to chemo. You are then prescribed dexamethasone 4 mg orally at breakfast and lunchtime post-chemo for 3 days. The first time I took it, I thought I was losing my head - the headache was mind-blowing, unrelieved by paracetamol. Never again, I’ll put up with the nausea. My weight also ballooned, and I couldn’t stop eating. Dreadful stuff!!"

• Anonymous
• March 14, 2012

"Dexamethasone caused moon face, rash, sweats, aggression, anxiety, insomnia, weight gain, extreme dizziness, moodiness, swollen and numb lips and eyes, and on and on."

• jen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 6, 2017

Dexamethasone for Addison's Disease "Longer acting steroid option. Gained weight and anxiety."

• Anonymous
• February 4, 2018

For Inflammatory Conditions "Inflammation caused by using antibiotics. But have the side effects of weight increase and moon face."