Dexamethasone and Depression: What Users Say

• Liz...
• March 20, 2021

For Inflammatory Conditions "Do not let any incompetent doctors give you this, especially when they don't tell you about awful side effects. This drug is so bad, I suffered severe anxiety, depression, cognitive memory loss, and couldn't sit still."

• Rya...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2018

Dexamethasone for Allergic Rhinitis "This drug is terrible. I am an athlete/coach and have always been a very upbeat/motivated person. I got into a hornet's nest, and they gave me a shot of this instead of Benadryl. I experienced weeks of the worst mood swings of my life, my heart stayed racing so hard I thought I was having a heart attack at times, and I dropped from 160 lbs to 145 lbs and couldn't stop eating anything in sight. Afterwards, I experienced depression/fatigue beyond what I ever thought I could go through that took about 3 months to fully recover from. The migraines were terrible as well. I'm writing this because a friend just stopped by to ask about my experience, he had an allergic reaction and they gave him the same Decadron shot. He went through almost identical symptoms. Try your best to avoid this stuff, the side effects aren't worth the benefits."

• 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."

• JBa...
• May 4, 2021

For Inflammatory Conditions "I have 4 herniated discs that cause inflammation in my back and leg. Dr. prescribed 4 mg tablets, 2 tablets every 12 hours, then 1 tablet every 12 hours. It was effective in reducing inflammation, but my God, the side effects have been HORRENDOUS. NOT WORTH IT!!!! I have the worst indigestion and heartburn I have ever experienced. The heartburn is constant from the moment I wake up, whether I have eaten or not, and is made worse by ANY amount of food. I stopped taking the medication a week ago, and I still cannot enjoy food. It feels like there is a rock stuck in my throat. I am bloated beyond belief, and the pressure in my stomach is painful. I don't ever feel hungry, and I am retaining water, I don't know how I don't burst. I broke out horribly. There was also SEVERE depression, and I already have anxiety, but that was amplified too. At least that part only lasted for about a week. As far as the heartburn, I am scared I will never go back to feeling normal. I just want to be able to eat."

• MJa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2018

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I hated being on this drug. But my rheumatologist insisted. I was compliant for almost three months. During that time, I became very irritable and depressed. My appetite surged, and I gained almost 20 lbs during that time. I completely lost interest in sex. I was often weak and tired. And I did not notice much change in my RA symptoms. Simply put, I was no longer myself. I returned to the doctor with my concerns. She actually wanted to increase the dosage! She is no longer my doctor. I am off Dexamethasone for about six weeks now. I am feeling much better emotionally. I am off most of my RA meds since I contracted kidney disease because of them. I see a new doctor in August. But for now, I am trying a more holistic approach. So far, so good."

• Han...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2023

"I was given this medication when I was diagnosed with COVID. This medication should've never been prescribed to me because of my underlying hyperthyroid disease. I took this medication for 5 days in the hospital and 5 days at home. This medication gave me intense side effects such as: hoarse throat, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, insomnia, nausea, suicidal ideation, hallucinations, manic episodes, mood swings, aggression, lack of appetite, heart palpitations, and muscle spasms. After calling my doctor, he apologized and said these are rare side effects and only affect 5% of users. Clearly, these side effects affect more than 5% of users, and the FDA really should reevaluate this medication. My symptoms lasted well over 72 hours, which was what my doctor said they would last. I have no memory of everything that happened, I just know the mental trauma from thinking you’re going crazy is not worth it at all."

• bbe...
• January 21, 2011

For Inflammatory Conditions "I can say it did some pretty good things for my back (bulging disc). It wasn't a cure at all by any means, but it helped a lot. Downside. Same as others: depression, huge appetite increase, but at the same time, everything tasted horrible, bad mood swings, suicidal thoughts (not normal for me), horrible insomnia, blurred vision, cold sweats, hands and feet tingling, numb. Swollen mouth, gums, lips, almost unbearable chest pain. At one point, my wife was ready to call 911. Oh, can't forget the late night extreme skeletal pain. Every bone in my body felt like it was about to snap. If you're like I was and are in so much pain you can hardly walk, try it. Be careful."

• Ldm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2022

For Atopic Dermatitis "On April, I was given dexamethasone for an allergic reaction I had to something I ate. I had dexamethasone as an injection and pills that I took for 3 days. On the 3rd day, I stopped taking them because I developed adverse side effects like fog in my head, confusion, numbness on the right side of my head, blurry vision, adrenaline feeling in my head, dry mouth, lost appetite, and diarrhea, along with depression and anxiety. After 3 weeks, all my side effects were gone except for anxiety and mild depression. I’m on 5 weeks since I stopped taking the medication, and I’m still struggling with anxiety and depression. So far, side effects come and go. Some days I have it, and I don’t, or it comes in and out throughout the day. Side effects are horrible. I can’t wait for this to be over."

• Jin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 23, 2022

For Inflammatory Conditions "I have severe facet arthritis and along with it chronic piriformis syndrome. My doctor suggested a trigger point injection for the piriformis pain that was also causing sciatica. I had a series of injections over the last nine months, and the last one tanked me. I was extremely fatigued for two days, and then lab work showed my testosterone levels were almost depleted. I developed muscle weakness in my legs and arms and severe depression. I have steroid-induced myopathy and am still fatigued (despite replacement of my testosterone) and depressed. While this medication can be a godsend for some, for me it has been nothing short of a nightmare. Now seeing an endocrinologist for the myopathy and possibly adrenal insufficiency. I am a healthy, fit, and normally happy 55-year-old woman, despite my bad back. Know the risks of this medication. I did not. I felt suicidal for almost two weeks before that faded, and now I’m just flat, fatigued, and praying this resolves."

• Rob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 28, 2021

For Cerebral Edema "Been having on and off headaches since an aneurysm coiling in March. I had to go to the ER yesterday with a bad headache. They contacted my neurosurgeon, he saw some slight swelling around the coiling. Was given this horrible drug through an injection, and 10 seconds after the injection, my body heated up, I felt like I was on fire. The nurse told me that was normal only after she had given me the injection. The following morning, I had the worst depression and horrible thoughts. Never felt like this before. I will never use it again. Stay away from this."

• stl...
• April 4, 2010

For Aphthous Ulcer "Really did a great job in reducing inflammation caused by mouth sores, but had significant difficulties sleeping. Was given 10 mg IV weekly during chemo session, and took 4 mg twice daily afterward, for about one month. Stopped taking on a Wednesday (cold turkey), and by Saturday was experiencing edginess, some depression. Took until Sunday evening to really get back into a positive attitude. Probably should have told the doctor that I wanted to phase out. It really works, but be watchful of mood swings."

• Ros...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2022

For Inflammatory Conditions "I was prescribed 3 mg dexamethasone tablets to take 3 times a day after getting a root canal to help with swelling and pain that Tylenol and Advil weren't helping. Within 2 doses, my tooth and gum pain was 100% gone! Worked very well for the inflammation. Side effects were rough on the 3rd day though! At first, I just had some increased urination and thirst and felt kind of spacey and out of it. But on the 3rd day, I felt insanely anxious, sad, and was super irritable with everyone and everything around me. Surprisingly, I didn't have any sleep issues on it. I was back to normal a couple of days after."

• meo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 19, 2022

"I was prescribed this drug for altitude sickness and took it for 2 days. It seemed to work for AMS, but it created terrible side effects: anxiety through the roof, mild depression, and extreme irritability. The effects set in on Day 3 and took about 36 hours to wear off. I recommend others consider and reserve time for such side effects if trying this drug. I personally will not be taking this medication again."

• car...
• March 25, 2010

For Inflammatory Conditions "This medicine caused severe mood swings, anger, irritability, depression, suicidal thoughts, complete personality changes."

• Anonymous
• August 10, 2009

For Inflammatory Conditions "Medication works, but had bad side effects of depression and anger."

• Anonymous
• September 9, 2010

For Inflammatory Conditions "I experienced extreme agitation, depression, anxiety, and almost (probably should've) ended up in the hospital. I didn't leave my house for five days until I could get somewhat calmed."