Dexamethasone (Generic) Tablets: Anti-Inflammatory Medication for Pets

Why has my veterinarian prescribed Dexamethasone (Generic) Tablets?

Dexamethasone is a cortisone-like medicine prescribed for treating inflammatory conditions that involve the joints and to treat nonspecific skin conditions. Your veterinarian may prescribe this medicine for other conditions.

How do I give Dexamethasone (Generic) Tablets?

First, READ THE LABEL CAREFULLY.

Give Dexamethasone to your pet as directed by your veterinarian.

Give this medication with food.

If Dexamethasone is prescribed as a liquid, shake the medicine well, then measure the dose carefully.

Try to give this medication at about the same time each day.

DO NOT give your pet more medicine than directed.

DO NOT give your pet medicine more often than prescribed.

DO NOT stop giving your pet Dexamethasone unless directed by your veterinarian. Plan ahead to ensure you have the refills you need.

Try not to miss giving any doses.

If I miss a dose, what do I do?

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

How do I store Dexamethasone (Generic) Tablets?

Keep this medicine out of reach of children.

Store this medicine at room temperature in a dry, cool place. Keep this medicine away from heat and direct sunlight.

Do not store this medicine in damp places, in the bathroom, or near the kitchen sink. This medication can break down when exposed to moisture or heat.

What are the potential side effects of Dexamethasone (Generic) Tablets?

Your pet may experience an upset stomach. To reduce this possibility, give this medicine to your pet with meals.

Other side effects may include: excessive thirst, urination, or ingestion of food, panting, drowsiness, weakness, hair loss, weight loss, lack of appetite, and diarrhea. If these effects continue and are troublesome, contact your veterinarian.

Other side effects may occur. If you notice anything unusual, contact your veterinarian.

What about possible drug interactions?

Be sure to tell your veterinarian about any other medications or supplements you are giving your pet.

It’s not uncommon for your veterinarian to prescribe two different medications, which may cause a drug interaction to occur. If this happens, your veterinarian may change the dose and/or monitor your pet more closely.

Dexamethasone may interact with: bacteriostatic antibiotics, amphotericin B, furosemide, thiazide diuretics, salicylates, phenytoin, phenobarbital, rifampin, insulin, cyclosporine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, estrogens, and mitotane.

Animals that are receiving Dexamethasone should usually not be given live attenuated-virus vaccines.

Contact your veterinarian if your pet experiences any unusual reactions when different medications are given together.

Dexamethasone Corticosteroid Tablets treat a variety of conditions including allergies and inflammation in dogs and cats.

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.

What are the potential side effects?

"To minimize this possibility, give this medication with meals."

• Your pet may experience some stomach upset. To minimize this possibility, 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.

Are there any possible drug interactions?

• Make sure to tell your veterinarian if you are giving your pet any other medication or supplements.
• Quite often, your veterinarian may prescribe two different medications, and sometimes a drug interaction may be anticipated. If this occurs, 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.

Dexamethasone (Rx)

Trade Names:

Dexium® Tablets

General Description:

This drug is a hormone related to cortisone and is used in dogs and cats to treat a variety of conditions. Dexamethasone is available in tablets and as an injectable.

What is this drug?

• A potent corticosteroid
• Given by mouth or injection

Reasons for prescribing:

• To treat certain inflammatory diseases
• To treat certain immune-mediated diseases
• To aid in the treatment of certain cancers
• To aid in the treatment of Addison's disease

What dogs/cats should not take this medication?

• Animals with stomach ulcers
• Animals with liver or kidney disease
• Animals with diabetes or Cushing's disease
• Animals with certain heart disease or high blood pressure
• Animals with infectious diseases
• Animals that will require surgery in the near future
• Animals that will require allergic skin testing in the near future
• Animals that may be pregnant or nursing
• Animals that are pediatric
• Animals with a known hypersensitivity or allergy to this drug should not take this medication

Directions:

Read and follow the prescription label carefully.

Give the exact amount prescribed and only as often as directed.

This medication is often given with food to reduce the potential for stomach upset. Due to the side effects of this medication, always ensure that your pet has access to fresh water and is allowed to urinate more frequently.

Give this medication for as long as your veterinarian directs. Do not skip doses or stop giving the medication without consulting your veterinarian.

Baseline blood work is recommended to assess your pet's general health before starting this drug.

Periodic blood work to monitor its effects on the body is also advised if long-term therapy is necessary.

Dose adjustments may be made based upon these results and an assessment of how your dog or cat is responding clinically.

Call ahead for refills.

Ideally, give this medication at the same time(s) daily.

What if a dose is missed?

If a dose is missed, give it as soon as you can. If it is time already for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to the normal schedule. Do not give two doses at the same time.

What to tell/ask a veterinarian before giving medication?

Talk to your veterinarian about:

• When your pet will need to be rechecked
• What tests may need to be performed prior to and during treatment with this drug
• What are the risks and benefits of using this drug

Tell your veterinarian about:

• If your pet has experienced side-effects on other drugs/products
• If your pet has experienced digestive upset now or ever
• If your pet has experienced liver or kidney disease now or ever
• If your pet has experienced any other medical problems or allergies now or ever
• All medicines and supplements that you are giving your pet or plan to give your pet, including those you can get without a prescription. Your veterinarian may want to check that all of your pet's medications can be given together.
• If your pet is pregnant, nursing or if you plan to breed your pet

Storage and Warnings:

Dexamethasone should be stored in a childproof container in a cool, dry place at room temperature away from heat and direct sunlight.

Keep this and all medication out of reach of children and pets.

Call your physician immediately if you accidentally take this product.

Potential side effects:

• Side effects are usually dose dependent
• This medication can affect the gastrointestinal system causing vomiting and diarrhea. These side effects may be reduced by giving this medication with food
• This medication can cause an increase in appetite, thirst and urination
• This medication can cause weight gain, panting, dull hair coat, muscle wasting, and behavior changes
• This medication can affect the immune system at high doses causing an increased susceptibility to infections and delayed wound healing
• This medication can cause the development of diabetes or Cushing's disease when given long term
• If these symptoms persist or you notice anything else unusual, contact your veterinarian

Can this drug be given with other drugs?

• Yes, but possible interactions may occur when giving dexamethasone in conjunction with: amphotericin B, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, digoxin, estrogens, erythromycin, furosemide, insulin, mitotane, neostigmine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (ex. acetaminophen, deracoxib, carprofen, ibuprofen, meloxicam), phenobarbital, phenytoin, pyridostigmine, rifampin, and certain vaccines
• Drugs other than those listed may also interact with dexamethasone
• Do not give new food or medications without first talking to your veterinarian
• If your pet experiences any unusual reactions when taking multiple medications, contact your veterinarian

Overdosing?

Contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet receives more than the prescribed amount.

What else should I know?

Notify your veterinarian if your animal's condition does not improve or worsens despite this treatment.

As with all prescribed medicines, dexamethasone should only be given to the pet for which it was prescribed.

It should be given only for the condition for which it was prescribed.

This is just a summary of information about dexamethasone. If you have any questions or concerns about dexamethasone or the condition it was prescribed for, please contact your veterinarian.