Dexamethasone Side Effects

Possible side effects of dexamethasone are listed below. Tell your doctor if these side effects are severe or persist after a few days:

• Stomach irritation
• Stomach upset
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Insomnia
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Mood swings
• Restlessness
• Easy bruising
• Acne
• Increased hair growth
• Irregular or absent menstrual periods 
• Increased appetite and weight gain

Dexamethasone can also cause more serious adverse drug reactions. Contact your doctor for medical advice immediately or get emergency medical attention if you develop:

• Skin rash
• Swelling of the face, ankles, or lower legs
• Difficulty breathing due to throat swelling (this is a medical emergency)
• Persistent cold, sore throat, or infection symptoms
• Vision problems
• Muscle weakness
• Black or tarry stools

The above list may not include all the potential adverse effects of dexamethasone. Contact your healthcare professional if the side effects are unusual or severe or if they do not get better over time. You can also report unusual side effects to the Food and Drug Administration at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Dexamethasone Overdose: In case of an overdose, call your doctor immediately. You can also call your local poison control center or the national poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If a person cannot be awakened, has trouble breathing, has collapsed, or has had a seizure, call 911.

Source: FDA