Dexamethasone and Increased Heart Rate: What Users Say

• Mot...
• October 4, 2019

Dexamethasone for Asthma "I was given this med for asthma from a virus that my inhaled steroids weren’t helping with. I was given a one-time dose of 10 mg, and though it worked for my breathing, the rest of my body is a mess. I have had severe elevated heart rate, high blood pressure, headache, rigor shakes, muscle spasms in the arms and legs, faintness, cold sweats, increased urination, severe exhaustion, muscle weakness, heartburn, increased anxiety, cloudy headedness, nausea, and an intolerance for anything physical beyond just walking. I am a fit 42-year-old woman with no other health issues, and this has been blowing my mind that I could get this sick. I did go to the ED, and I was told that it can cause these symptoms. The worst part is that because it’s long-acting, it can take a week from your last dose for it to be cleared out. So I was told to rest and drink fluids until time passes. The good news is, I can breathe. The bad news is, it has been a nightmare for the rest of my body."

• pil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2018

For Inflammatory Conditions "I just received a 10 mg injection of this at the E.R. for a really bad sinus infection, laryngitis, and an upper respiratory infection that I have had for over a month. The shot itself was extremely painful. I have a pretty high tolerance for pain, but this hurt for hours to the point where I couldn't sit down. The side effects began to kick in within an hour. I went from feeling calm and relaxed to feeling EXTREMELY anxious (No, I do not battle anxiety or depression). I felt jittery, I kept dropping things, and began crying from feeling so overwhelmed (not like me). I know it was this injection. My heart began racing very, very fast!! I don't think I will take this again."

• 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."

• Mbo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2015

For Inflammatory Conditions "Lots of pain in my foot due to inflammation causing pinched nerves. Took 3 shots and improved, but problems were not completely gone. Was given dexamethasone. Hasn't helped my foot at all. But I started feeling bad after a day or two, but I didn't think about this med causing the problem. Every day I have been feeling worse: irritable, agitated, heart pounding, feeling like I am coming out of my skin, headaches increasing daily, vision a little blurry now and then. Stopping this drug. Side effects are amplifying each day."

• Jam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2021

Dexamethasone for Asthma "Went to the ER for chest pressure and shortness of breath. Got an injection of Decadron and never again will I! Right after the injection, I instantly had a severe panic attack, it's been 2 days since I got the injection, and I've only slept 7 hours within 48 hours. It has caused me severe insomnia, and my heart rate goes sky high. Chest pressure still hasn't subsided, which may be due to high anxiety from this medicine."

• Cin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 7, 2014

For Inflammatory Conditions "I took medication the first day with food. I was very restless, sweating. I had to change clothes three times. Caused my heart to race. My head was hurting so bad. The reason I was taking medication was to calm down my migraines. I didn't like the medication at all!"

• Dar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 15, 2020

For Inflammatory Conditions "Just received a dexamethasone injection in my arm for tonsillitis. It initially felt like I didn’t get a shot, then the pain just exploded. I mean, no burning, just felt like I was punched in the arm. It was throbbing, and each throb was stabbing pain. I was bawling like a baby. I do have fibromyalgia, but I have had many shots in the muscle that sting. This was no sting! The doctor chalked it up to 'everything that was going on with me.' I am not a dramatic person, but this was the weirdest, most painful intravenous muscle shot I have ever had! I also have a heart condition, and reading what I am in for with anxiety and racing heart has me very concerned. Shouldn’t the doc have seen that?"

• Iri...
• August 7, 2016

"Well, can't tell if it is effective or not, unbearable to keep taking it because of the side effects. Having all that I see mentioned as well: sleeplessness, bad headaches, increased heart rate, very wired, mood swings, blurred vision goes in/out affected me while I was driving, flushed face. Stopped it after the first two days because of this, then, thinking it was a fluke, took it again and felt the symptoms instantly. Calling my doc to see if there's something else :("

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 11, 2025

"I have had the following side effects from this drug: serious weight gain (12 lbs in two weeks), rounding of the face and belly, rapid heart rate, heartburn, and complete loss of taste. I am dawdling with depression episodes, and I am consistently dropping things. I have also contracted a respiratory virus of some kind; you are more susceptible to getting sick on this drug."