Drawbacks

You are more likely to have the following side effects if you are between the ages of 18 and 60, do not take any other medications, or have any other medical conditions:

• The most frequent adverse effects are mood changes like agitation, anxiety, and irritability, impaired vision, a change in heart rate, swelling of the limbs (edema or salt and water retention), increased appetite and weight gain, and trouble concentrating.
• In addition, it's possible to experience indigestion, facial hair development (particularly in women), high blood pressure, sluggish skin healing, skin thinning, osteoporosis (brittle bones), low potassium levels, and issues controlling blood sugar. Rarely have reports of severe allergic responses been made.
• Should not be utilized in patients with viral or systemic fungal diseases. Dexamethasone's anti-inflammatory properties might conceal infection-related symptoms, which may also increase the risk of infection.
• Some medical disorders, such as heart failure, diabetes, osteoporosis, tuberculosis, cushingoid syndrome, and peptic ulcers, may make a person ineligible.
• Overdosage may result in fluid retention, potassium loss, salt retention, and weight gain.
• Should not discontinue using dexamethasone abruptly if it has been used for a long time. To give the adrenal glands time to resume their regular production patterns, gradually reduce the dosage over a period of weeks or months. A dexamethasone withdrawal that is too quick might result in symptoms like nausea, vomiting, exhaustion, bone and muscle pain, and weight loss.
• To help prevent stomach ulcers while taking dexamethasone, alcohol use should be restricted or avoided.
• After dexamethasone therapy has ended, it is necessary to wait several months before administering "live vaccinations."
• Aspirin, digoxin, NSAIDs, hormonal contraceptives, other medicines metabolized by CYP3A4, and warfarin are only a few of the medications that may interact with each other. Low blood potassium levels brought on by dexamethasone may impair the effectiveness of several cardiac medicines.
• Use only if the advantages outweigh the hazards when pregnant. When corticosteroids are administered to pregnant mice, rats, and rabbits, animal studies have shown that there is an increased incidence of cleft palate in the offspring. There are no sufficient and reliable research on expectant mothers. When used during pregnancy, corticosteroids should only be taken if the benefits outweigh the risks to the developing baby. Mothers who took high doses of corticosteroids during pregnancy should be closely monitored for any signs of hypoadrenalism in their newborns.