Home • Veterinary Pharmacy Articles • Dexamethasone

Veterinary Pharmacy Articles

Dexamethasone

Why has my veterinarian prescribed this medicine?

Dexamethasone is a cortisone like medicine used to treat inflammatory conditions involving the joints and to treat nonspecific skin conditions. There may be other conditions for which your veterinarian may prescribe this medication.

How do I give this medication?

• Give this medication to your pet as directed by your veterinarian. READ THE LABEL CAREFULLY.
• Give this medication with food.
• If the medicine is a liquid, measure the dose accurately.
• Try to give this medication at about the same time each day.
• DO NOT give the pet more medicine than directed.
• DO NOT give the medicine more often than directed.
• Try not to miss giving any doses.
• DO NOT stop giving this medication without consulting your veterinarian. Contact your veterinarian ahead of time if your pet requires medication refills.

What do I do if I miss giving a dose?

Give the dose as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose, and continue with the regular schedule. Do not give the pet two doses at once. Contact your veterinarian if you miss giving doses two or more days in a row.

How do I store this medicine?

• Keep this medicine out of reach of children.
• Store this medicine in a cool, dry place at room temperature. Store away from heat and direct sunlight.
• Do not store this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink or in damp places. The medicine may break down if exposed to heat or moisture.

Potential Side Effects

• Your pet may experience some stomach upset. Give this medication with meals.
• Side effects may include: excessive thirst, excessive urination, excessive ingestion of food, panting, drowsiness, weakness, hair loss, weight loss, lack of appetite, diarrhea. If these effects continue and become troublesome, contact your veterinarian.
• Other side effects may occur. If you notice anything unusual, contact your veterinarian.

Possible Drug Interactions

• Make sure to tell your veterinarian what other medication you are giving to your pet.
• Quite often your veterinarian may prescribe two different medications, and a drug interaction may be anticipated. In this case, your veterinarian may vary the dose and/or monitor your pet more closely.
• The following lists examples of medicines that can potentially interact with dexamethasone: bacteriostatic antibiotics, amphotericin B, furosemide, thiazide diuretics, salicylates, phenytoin, phenobarbital, rifampin, insulin, cyclosporine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, estrogens, and mitotane.
• Live attenuated-virus vaccines should generally not be given to animals receiving dexamethasone.
• Contact your veterinarian if your pet experiences any unusual reactions when different medications are given together.