What is Dexamethasone: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Dexamethasone is a commonly prescribed corticosteroid used to treat a wide range of medical conditions. Dexamethasone reduces inflammation at low doses, but it can suppress the immune system in high doses. Most people will take oral forms of dexamethasone, but it’s also available as eye drops, eye injections, or eye implants. Dexamethasone injections and most dexamethasone eye drops contain a slightly different version of dexamethasone called dexamethasone sodium phosphate. You can find information about dexamethasone sodium phosphate here.

Check our best Dexamethasone prices

Dexamethasone overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Dextenza, Dexycu, Hemady, MaxiDex, Ozurdex

Generic Names:

  • Dexamethasone

Uses:

  • Treats inflammation, severe allergies, inflammatory diseases, cancer, eye problems, and many other medical problems

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Corticosteroid, systemic corticosteroid, ophthalmic corticosteroid, immune suppressant, antiemetic

Forms:

  • Tablet, oral solution (liquid), elixir (liquid), concentrate (liquid), ophthalmic solution (eye drops), ophthalmic injection, ophthalmic implant

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth, on the surface of the eye, injected or implanted into the eye

What is Dexamethasone used for?

Dexamethasone treats a wide spectrum of medical conditions, including inflammation, allergic reactions, autoimmune diseases, hormone disorders, skin diseases, soft tissue diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, lung problems, some infections, cancer, cerebral edema, eye problems, central nervous system problems, and others.

What form(s) does Dexamethasone come in

  • Tablets

    • 0.5 mg

    • 0.75 mg

    • 1 mg

    • 1.5 mg

    • 2 mg

    • 4 mg

    • 6 mg

    • 20 mg (Hemady)

  • Oral solution or elixir (liquid)

    • 0.5 mg/5 mL

  • Concentrate (liquid)

    • 1 mg/mL

  • Eye drops

    • 0.1%

  • Ophthalmic injection

    • 9% 0.005 mL

  • Ophthalmic implant

    • 0.4 mg

    • 0.7 mg

What are common Dexamethasone doses?

  • For corticosteroid-responsive conditions: 0.75–9 mg daily taken by mouth in divided doses taken every 6–12 hours

  • For multiple sclerosis flare-ups: 30 mg daily for one week followed by 4–12 mg every other day for one month

  • For multiple myeloma: 20–40 mg taken by mouth on the day of chemotherapy

  • To prevent vomiting due to chemotherapy: 8–12 mg taken by mouth on the day of chemotherapy

  • For adrenal insufficiency: 0.25–0.75 mg taken by mouth daily

  • For hospitalized patients with COVID-19 on oxygen: 6 mg taken by mouth once daily

  • For inflammatory conditions of the eye: One or two drops in each affected eye hourly or four to six times daily

  • For postoperative inflammation of the eye: One 0.005 injection into the eye OR 1, 0.4 mg insert

Find more detailed information about dexamethasone dosages, forms, and strengths, including pediatric dosages.

Common Dexamethasone prescriptions

  • dexAMETHasone
    237ml of 0.5mg/5ml bottle

  • dexAMETHasone
    240ml of 0.5mg/5ml bottle

  • dexAMETHasone
    500ml of 0.5mg/5ml bottle

  • dexAMETHasone
    21 tablets therapy pack disp pack

  • dexAMETHasone
    35 tablets therapy pack disp pack

  • dexAMETHasone
    51 tablets therapy pack disp pack

  • dexAMETHasone
    0.5mg tablet

  • dexAMETHasone
    0.75mg tablet

  • dexAMETHasone
    1.5mg tablet

  • dexAMETHasone
    1mg tablet

  • dexAMETHasone
    2mg tablet

  • dexAMETHasone
    4mg tablet

  • dexAMETHasone
    6mg tablet

How to take Dexamethasone

  • Follow all the healthcare provider’s instructions when taking this medication. Do not change the dose or take dexamethasone more frequently than prescribed. 

  • Oral dexamethasone can be taken with or without food.

  • How to take dexamethasone tablets:

    • Taking this medication with a small meal or snack may help reduce short-term side effects. 

    • The tablets are scored to allow them to be divided into smaller doses. If necessary, have a healthcare provider show you how to divide a tablet accurately.

    • Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.

    • It is okay to crush this medication and mix it into the food you are eating.

    • Store dexamethasone tablets at room temperature, protected from light and moisture. 

  • How to take dexamethasone oral solution:

    • Measure the oral liquid medicine with a calibrated oral syringe. Ask a pharmacist for one if one is needed.

    • Store dexamethasone oral solution at room temperature. Do not freeze.

  • How to take dexamethasone concentrate:

    • Doses must be measured carefully and precisely.

    • Only use the calibrated oral syringe that comes with this medicine to measure a dose.

    • Store dexamethasone concentrate at room temperature. Do not freeze.

    • Throw away the bottle and any unused medicine after 90 days.

  • How to take dexamethasone eye drops (Maxidex):

    • Wash your hands with soap and water.

    • Remove any contact lenses.

    • Shake the bottle well before administering a dose.

    • Put your head back and pull down the lower eyelid.

    • Place one or two drops in the sac between the eye and the lower eyelid.

    • Close your eye for a few seconds.

    • Do not allow the tip of the eyedrop bottle to touch your skin or any other surface.

    • You can replace your contact lenses 15 minutes after administering a dose.

    • Store dexamethasone eye drops at room temperature.

    • Throw away the bottle and any remaining medicine after the expiration date stamped on the bottle.

What to do if you miss a dose of Dexamethasone

  • Ask the healthcare provider what to do in case a dose is missed. The healthcare provider may have special instructions based on the condition being treated and your current state of health.

  • For oral dexamethasone, a missed dose can usually be taken when remembered unless it’s almost time for the next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next dose as scheduled. 

  • Do not take extra medicine or a double dose to make up for missed doses.

Dexamethasone contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you have had an allergic reaction to dexamethasone or if you have an internal fungal infection or cerebral malaria.

Dexamethasone warnings

  • To avoid adverse effects and complications, healthcare providers will use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time possible.

  • Your healthcare provider will perform lab tests at regular visits to monitor the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. 

  • Tell your healthcare provider if you’re breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

  • Tell your healthcare provider if you have:

    • Kidney disease 

    • Liver disease, including cirrhosis

    • Adrenal gland problems 

    • Heart failure

    • A recent heart attack

    • High blood pressure

    • Diabetes

    • Osteoporosis

    • Blood clotting problems

    • Thyroid problems

    • Muscle disorders including myasthenia gravis

    • Stomach or bowel problems including ulcers or diverticulitis

    • Mental health or emotional issues including depression

    • An active infection, especially eye infections, tuberculosis, threadworm, or a fungal infection

    • A history of tuberculosis, hepatitis B, or amoeba infections

  • Dexamethasone can make you vulnerable to infections, especially at high doses.

    • Avoid people who are sick with an infection. 

    • Tell your healthcare provider right away if you are exposed to chickenpox, measles, or other serious infections

  • Oral dexamethasone may cause the following problems:

    • Changes in mood or behavior including psychosis or mania

    • High blood pressure

    • Salt and water retention

    • Decrease in potassium and calcium levels

    • Adrenal gland problems

    • Eye disorders including cataracts, high eye pressure, or glaucoma

    • Bone density problems including osteoporosis

    • Muscle damage

    • Tendon rupture

    • Seizures

    • Increased pressure inside the head

    • Growth suppression in children

    • Reactivation of latent infections

  • Dexamethasone increases the risk of cancer, particularly Kaposi’s sarcoma, a type of skin cancer.

  • If you are using dexamethasone eye drops or have a dexamethasone eye implant, immediately see an ophthalmologist if you experience:

    • Vision changes

    • Eye pain

    • Eye swelling or redness

    • Sensitivity to light

  • While taking oral dexamethasone, tell your healthcare provider about any extra stress, anxiety, or physical problems you experience. Stress raises the body’s natural corticosteroids, so people who are stressed may need to take a reduced dose of dexamethasone. 

  • Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. The prescriber will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely to prevent serious side effects.

  • Tell any healthcare professional who treats you that you are taking a corticosteroid. This medicine may affect other treatments and certain skin test results.

Dexamethasone interactions

  • Tell the healthcare provider prescribing dexamethasone about all the prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements you are taking, particularly:

  • Because of possible drug interactions, tell any other healthcare provider that treats you that you are using dexamethasone.

  • Live vaccines cannot be given to people taking dexamethasone or any other corticosteroid because of the risk of infection.

  • Avoid alcohol when taking dexamethasone. 

Find more detailed information about dexamethasone interactions to avoid here.

Dexamethasone side effects

Serious side effects

Dexamethasone can cause serious side effects. Talk to a healthcare provider if you notice any signs or symptoms of a possible serious side effect, including:

  • Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches

  • Depression, trouble sleeping, or unusual thoughts, feelings, or behaviors

  • Severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or red or black stools

  • Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

  • Eye pain, eye swelling, eye redness, vision changes, blurred vision, light sensitivity, bleeding in the eye, headache

  • Skin changes or growths

  • Muscle pain or weakness

  • Seizures

  • Bone pain, decrease in height

  • Dark freckles, skin color changes, coldness, weakness, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, or weight loss

  • Extreme abdominal pain, blood in the stools, black and tarry stools, vomiting up blood

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Less serious side effects

  • Insomnia

  • Acne

  • Mood changes

  • Increased appetite

  • Loss of appetite

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

  • Indigestion

  • Fluid retention and swelling

Find more detailed information about dexamethasone side effects here.

Sources:

Dexamethasone News & Research

Dexamethasone interactions to avoid

Dexamethasone side effects and how to avoid them

Dexamethasone vs. prednisone: Comparing these corticosteroids

Is there an anti-inflammatory that can be taken with Eliquis?

Levofloxacin interactions to avoid

Stye antibiotic treatment: Is it necessary?

Can you take prednisone for a sore throat?

Is prednisone breastfeeding safe?

Prednisone for poison ivy: Effectiveness, dosing, and how it works

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