Dexamethasone and Irritability: What Users Say

• Jai...
• November 10, 2021

For Inflammatory Conditions "I don't like reading these reviews because they are going to scare you out of taking what a licensed doctor has prescribed you. This medication saves lives sometimes. I have been struggling with panic disorder, GAD, and depression caused by anxiety for almost a year now, and thank GOD I didn’t read the reviews until after because I probably wouldn’t have taken this for my extremely swollen tonsils - I almost couldn’t swallow, and in 14 hours, almost no swelling. The only side effect I got was I was a little irritable about 3 hours after taking two 4 mg pills, but I ate and it went away, so I could have just been hangry, and one black stool. These review pages are always gonna have extreme experiences because unfortunately, that can happen, but it’s RARE. Also, no offense, there are a lot of dramatic people out there (me being one, and I was even fine) or people with other complications that point fingers. My mental health recovery got delayed almost a year because I freaked myself out from drugs.com reviews."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Ano...
• April 20, 2017

For Inflammatory Conditions "Took one shot for a lung infection I received while doing some swimming. Fixed the lung infection, but the side effects of this drug are very harsh, so be prepared. I'm 25, do triathlons, and swim regularly. Deal with a normal amount of stress and anxiety but have never had serious problems with it. Resting heart rate is about 50 normally. After the shot, resting heart rate was easily high 60s and low 70s. Extremely agitated and irritable. Very bad insomnia. Anxiety was out the roof, and again I've never had problems with anxiety before. Chest pain mixed in with the increased anxiety that most likely made the chest pain feel worse, but still, it was a problem. This lasted for about a week as well. It's a serious drug."

• Ano...
• April 20, 2017

For Inflammatory Conditions "Took one shot for a lung infection I received while doing some swimming. Fixed the lung infection, but the side effects of this drug are very harsh, so be prepared. I'm 25, do triathlons, and swim regularly. Deal with a normal amount of stress and anxiety but have never had serious problems with it. Resting heart rate is about 50 normally. After the shot, resting heart rate was easily high 60s and low 70s. Extremely agitated and irritable. Very bad insomnia. Anxiety was out the roof, and again I've never had problems with anxiety before. Chest pain mixed in with the increased anxiety that most likely made the chest pain feel worse, but still, it was a problem. This lasted for about a week as well. It's a serious drug."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• May 15, 2012

For Inflammatory Conditions "Greatly improved appetite, I had been on chemo and had severe appetite loss, excessive sleeping. It has possibly caused some mild irritability, although my husband doesn't think I am much different than normal."

• Dus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2020

For Atopic Dermatitis "I have severe atopic dermatitis and major issues with my spine. When I initially started taking dexamethasone, it worked wonders. 10 mg for a couple of weeks, then down to 4 mg twice weekly. When I started taking it, I had no side effects. Now, approximately 4 months later, I’m getting almost all of them. Yesterday, I had so much anxiety I thought I was losing my mind. Anxious (couldn’t even answer my phone), extremely irritable, major mood swings - those are just the tip of the side-effect iceberg. It’s exactly what happened when I took prednisone. Tomorrow will be my fourth Dupixent shot, and it seems to be working (at $2400 monthly, it should work). I will be talking to my dermatologist ASAP to ask if I can stop taking dexamethasone. Good luck to everyone who is or is thinking of taking it."

• 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
• 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."