Decadron

Decadron is used for:

Treating certain conditions associated with decreased adrenal gland function. It is also used to treat severe inflammation due to certain conditions, including severe asthma, severe allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, certain blood disorders, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and certain eye and skin conditions. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Decadron is a corticosteroid. It works by decreasing or preventing tissues from responding to inflammation. It also modifies the body's response to certain immune stimulation.

Do NOT use Decadron if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Decadron
• you have a systemic fungal infection
• you are taking mifepristone

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Decadron :

Some medical conditions may interact with Decadron . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you are scheduled for a vaccination with a live virus vaccine (eg, smallpox)
• if you have an underactive thyroid, liver or kidney problems, diabetes, or ulcerative colitis
• if you have heart problems, esophagitis, gastritis, stomach obstruction or perforation, or an ulcer
• if you have a history of mental problems (eg, depression), glaucoma, cataracts, or other eye problems
• if you have a herpes infection in your eye or any other type of infection (bacterial, fungal, or viral); have or recently had tuberculosis (TB) or tested positive for TB, measles, or chickenpox

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Decadron . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), carbamazepine, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), or rifampin because they may decrease Decadron 's effectiveness
• Clarithromycin, azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole), steroidal contraceptives (eg, desogestrel), or troleandomycin because because weakness, confusion, muscle aches, joint pain, or low blood sugar, may occur
• Methotrexate or ritodrine because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Decadron
• Hydantoins (eg, phenytoin),mifepristone , or live vaccines because their effectiveness may be decreased by Decadron
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) or aspirin because their actions and side effects may be increased or decreased by Decadron

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Decadron may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any m edicine.