Dexamethasone Injection Side Effects

Please note - some side effects for Dexamethasone Injection may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

Dexamethasone Injection Side Effects - for the Professional

Dexamethasone Injection

Fluid and Electrolyte Disturbances

Sodium retention

Fluid retention

Congestive heart failure in susceptible patients

Potassium loss

Hypokalemic alkalosis

Hypertension

Musculoskeletal

Muscle weakness

Steroid myopathy

Loss of muscle mass

Osteoporosis

Vertebral compression fractures

Aseptic necrosis of femoral and humeral heads

Pathologic fracture of long bones

Tendon rupture

Gastrointestinal

Peptic ulcer with possible subsequent perforation and hemorrhage

Perforation of the small and large bowel, particularly in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Pancreatitis

Abdominal distention

Ulcerative esophagitis

Dermatologic

Impaired wound healing

Thin, fragile skin

Petechiae and ecchymoses

Erythema

Increased sweating

May suppress reactions to skin tests

Burning or tingling, especially in the perineal area (after IV injection)

Other cutaneous reactions, such as allergic dermatitis, urticaria, angioneurotic edema

Neurologic

Convulsions

Increased intracranial pressure with papilledema (pseudotumor cerebri) usually after treatment

Vertigo

Headache

Psychic disturbances

Endocrine

Menstrual irregularities

Development of cushingoid state

Suppression of growth in children

Secondary adrenocortical and pituitary unresponsiveness, particularly in times of stress, as in trauma, surgery or illness

Decreased carbohydrate tolerance

Manifestations of latent diabetes mellitus

Increased requirements for insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents in diabetics

Hirsutism

Ophthalmic

Posterior subcapsular cataracts

Increased intraocular pressure

Glaucoma

Exophthalmos

Metabolic

Negative nitrogen balance due to protein catabolism

Cardiovascular

Myocardial rupture following recent myocardial infarction

Other

Anaphylactoid or hypersensitivity reactions

Thromboembolism

Weight gain

Increased appetite

Nausea

Malaise

Hiccups

The following additional adverse reactions are related to parenteral corticosteroid therapy:

Rare instances of blindness associated with intralesional therapy around the face and head

Hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation

Subcutaneous and cutaneous atrophy

Sterile abscess

Postinjection flare (following intra-articular use)

Charcot-like arthropathy

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