Dexamethasone

What is dexamethasone?

Your child has been prescribed dexamethasone to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy. It is often used in combination with other medicines to prevent nausea and vomiting.

Dexamethasone (Decadron) belongs to a class of medicines called corticosteroids (say: cor-ti-co-STAIR-oyds). You may hear corticosteroids called ‘steroids’ for short. A corticosteroid medicine is a steroid hormone that may be used to treat many different problems or conditions. These corticosteroids are not the same type of steroid that athletes use to make them better at their sports. These medicines do not cause the same types of side effects as the steroids that athletes use.

Before giving corticosteroids to your child

Tell your doctor if your child has ever reacted badly to a corticosteroid or any other medication.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if your child has any of the following conditions. Precautions may need to be taken with this medicine if your child has:

• infection or recent exposure to infection (such as chickenpox)
• diabetes or problems with blood sugar
• stomach or intestine problems
• eye problems such as glaucoma
• any heart, kidney or liver problems
• high blood pressure
• bone problems such as bone weakening or thinning
• behaviour problems

How should you give your child dexamethasone?

Dexamethasone tablets or liquid are given by mouth. Dexamethasone injection can also be given into a vein or a catheter that goes into a vein, using a needle. When giving the tablet or liquid form by mouth, follow these instructions:

• Give your child dexamethasone exactly as your doctor or your pharmacist tells you, even if your child is not nauseated or vomiting. Stop giving your child dexamethasone only when your doctor or pharmacist tells you to stop.
• Your child may be given dexamethasone starting just before chemotherapy.
• Give your child dexamethasone with food or milk to prevent an upset stomach.
• Give your child dexamethasone at regularly scheduled intervals.
• Shake the bottle well before you give your child dexamethasone if they are taking the liquid form of the medicine.
• Give your child dexamethasone with the special spoon or syringe that the pharmacist gives you, if your child is taking the liquid form. A syringe is a hollow tube that has a plunger and holds medicines.

What should you do if your child misses a dose of dexamethasone?

If your child misses a dose of corticosteroid:

• Give your child the missed dose as soon as you remember, and give your child the next dose at the regular time OR
• Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for the next dose.

What if dexamethasone is not working?

The main goal of using dexamethasone is to prevent nausea and vomiting before it happens. If your child has nausea, vomits or retches (tries to vomit without bringing anything up) let your doctor, pharmacist or nurse know. This is especially important if your child has trouble drinking or eating as a result. Medicines can be changed or added to control nausea and vomiting better.

What are the possible side effects of dexamethasone?

Some of the side effects your child may get depend on how long dexamethasone is being given. When your child gets dexamethasone for a short period of time, they will likely have few side effects or even none at all.

Speak to your child's doctor if your child has any of these signs or symptoms and they do not go away:

• an upset stomach
• heartburn
• a bigger appetite than usual
• headaches
• dizziness
• restlessness
• mood changes
• difficulty sleeping
• more thirsty than usual
• passes more urine than usual or passes urine more frequently than usual
• acne/facial rash

Call your child's doctor right away or take your child to the Emergency Department if your child has changes in behaviour or a black bowel movement that looks like tar.

What other important information should you know about dexamethasone?

• Keep a current list of medications to show to your doctor or pharmacist. Check with your child's doctor or pharmacist before you give your child any other medicine, even medicine that you can buy without a doctor's order (prescription).
• Call your doctor if your child gets chickenpox or comes in contact with someone who has chickenpox.
• Tell your child's doctor and pharmacist if your child has had any unusual or allergic reaction to corticosteroids or any other medicines.
• Before your child has any kind of operation, even on the teeth, or an emergency treatment, tell the doctor or dentist that your child is taking dexamethasone or if your child has stopped taking it just recently.
• Keep dexamethasone tablets and liquid at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Do NOT store in the bathroom or kitchen.
• Do not keep dexamethasone or any medicines that are out of date. Check with your pharmacist about the best way to throw away outdated or leftover medicines.
  

Keep dexamethasone out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much dexamethasone, call your local Poison Information Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free. 

• Call 1-844 POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, from anywhere in Canada except Quebec.
• Call 1-800-463-5060 if you live in Quebec.