DECADRON Reviews (DEXAMETHASONE)Average Rating: 2.2 (197 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare DECADRON with similar:
Type: Brand name discontinued; available as generic
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Results are sorted by Satisfaction lowest to highest. Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) |
More on DECADRON: Reviews Summary | Drug Safety Information
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR DECADRON | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 1 | Brain tumor/brain swelling | My husband has been treated for a brain tumor and was put on Decadron. He experienced the following: Puffy face, depression, just sort of became a statue and did not interact, and if did, was mean and nasty -- not normal personality. Weakness, difficulty walking, muscle atrophy. On top of all of that, the constant peeing and not making it to the bathroom became a nightmare 24/7. Had to take him to the bathroom (as he was too confused to use a urinal) every 2 hours day and night, and at that became a huge customer of Depends. What a nightmare. His surgeon did not want him on it, but his oncologist won out. It was a nightmare. Had we known, we would not have ever used it. | we have been tapering off now for the last few months VERY slowly, are almost off, and already some of the issues are getting better, but if all of these were caused by this (and the timing of everything would suggest that) then how in the world long will it be to have them gone? Horrid stuff! | 59 | 5 months | 8/23/2009 | 1 | Given mistakenly | This drug was sheer "hell". I went to my doctor for a B-12 shot and he mistakenly gave me someone else's Decadron injection of 8 mgs. Since it is long acting the symptoms changed and varied. I had initially racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, and had racing thoughts. I was sure I was headed to the ER. The headache was unbearable. The insomnia was unbearable. As it was a time released injection, the second week I had severe nausea, dizziness, profuse sweating and hives all over my body. The third week added devastating fatigue, visual disturbances, weakness, more dizziness. It's unbearable. My immune system seems to be down and I'm picking up everything. | It's been 4 weeks since I was given this injection (mistakenly) and it is still not out of my body. I am so sick, and pray that I am not going to get sicker. Does anyone have an idea as to when this will finally dwindle out of my system? I'm disgusted and so ill. | F | 54 | 1 days | 6/7/2009 | 1 | thrombocytopenia | anxiety, horrendous acid/heartburn, dizziness,headachey,blurred vision,racing heart beat, pain in throat, shortness of breath. Been off for three days and feel terrible. (4mg X 10 per day for 4 days) | Its disgusting how I feel - I think I will probably end up in the er before this is over because I feel like I'm having a heart attack. | F | 64 | 4 days | 12/7/2008 | 1 | Pinched cervical nerve | Was given large IV dose then "tapered off" via oral (30 mg/day!). While the IV dose did eliminate the intolerable pain nearly instantly, after affects were terrible. While taking, my hands swelled considerably and I was extremely apprehensive. Worst problems began about 12 hours after last dose. I felt like I was "slowing down" and leaving my body. Looking down to the ground from a 3rd floor balcony looked no different than looking down at my feet. Completely lost my sense of taste and feeling in my mouth though it did not feel numb. Was hospitalized with steroid psychosis and truly felt I would die the first night by falling asleep. Monitor technician repeatedly came to room to check connections as my vitals became extremely low. For over a week I could only walk--VERY slowly--by shuffling my feet. Took nearly two weeks for my sense of taste to return. Could barely stand riding in a car as I involuntarily moved with the motions of the car to the point th | While the IV mega-dose did appear to releave an acute situation, the after affects were terrifying, dangerous and extremely costly. Should a neurosurgeon ever prescribe similar for you, watch out! I had taken a steroid (prednisone) twice on previous occasions without any adverse affects. | M | 35 | 14 days | 11/2/2008 | 1 | Brain tumour/radiation | Severe weight gain, lassitude and mood swings, elevated anger levels, debilitating pedal/abdominal edema and fluid retention | No noticeable symptoms on initial dosage (2 mg 2pd, tapered over 2-3 weeks, Dec 07); later (indiscriminate) application (May-Aug 08) led to severe bloating/edema, impaired mobility, and mood swings. ¶ Those concerned with quality, rather than quantity, of life should be prepared to be *very* proactive with service providers about dosage and follow-up: this is one nasty-ass drug with some nightmarish side-effect potential, and requires CAREFUL and CONSISTENT monitoring. (I'm presuming an irreplaceably high degree of effectiveness in treatment of the primary condition here; if not, it should be avoided at all costs.) | M | 47 | 3 months | 8/12/2008 | 1 | Brain Tumor | Extreme weight gain 5 -10 lbs/ week. Raging paranoia and temper flares beginning after 1-2 days. Extreme swelling of neck and face. Dehabilitaiting loss of calf muscle leading to inability to walk 2-3 months). Extreme arm skin discoloration. Uncontrolable appetite. Dangerous increased uncontrollable blood sugar (non diabetic) beware of this! | The cascade of side affects of this drug drove the adminstering of a cocktail of drugs to counter all the effects of the decadron. This drug lead caused my mother to become to uncontrollable and debilitated that she could not be cared for at home. As a result of the effects of the Decadron, she was then overdosed with other drugs to counter her uncontrollable anger and force her to be bedridden. After she could no longer walk more drugs were administered. Her blood sugar climbed so high that it would not register on the meters. The doctors were so intent on escalating the dosage all of these drugs they totally lost site of the basic requirements to support life. After being diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor, my wonderfully healthy Mother deteriorated every minute after she was given Decadron. There was no medical treatment that provided any benefit to her. There is not enough room here to explain, but I warn you that I am 100% certain that Decadron destroyed my Mothers | F | 85 | 180 days | 6/17/2008 | 1 | brain tumor, presumed swelling | sweats, intolerble mood swings, STARVING all thetime, fluid retention, severe weight gain, terrible bone pain when tapering drug | Shoul not be prescribed...SO VIOLENT | F | 25 | 2 months | 6/3/2008 | 1 | Brain Tumor | 25% weight gain, massive lymph build up below the hips, insomnia (as in 72+ hours w/o sleep), swollen feet, rage mixed with depression, enhanced memory recall and idea connectivity, crazy feelings, insatiable appetite and thirst. | This was the wrong drug for me as the type of tumor indicated a very different therapy. I can only hope it is used sparingly as it took me 6 weeks to titrate from it. The withdrawal symptoms must be akin to highly addictive substances as I felt like a junkie trying to kick heroin. | M | 37 | 9 weeks | 11/21/2007 | 1 | Reduce swelling after brain surgery | My husband has been taking this for 1 week to reduce brain swelling after brain tumor surgery. He has turned into the meanest most enraged person I ever met. Me and my children are thinking of moving into a motel until he is off this medication because we are scared of him and what he will do. He has broken nearly 100 items in our home this week. If he cannot find a cup, he breaks everything in kitchen, then cries for hours. What the hell is this drug doing to him? I asked doctors and they told me its called"roid rage" and it is common and to stick it out.. well, me and my kids do not need to live with a timebomb either. Don't take this drug unless your life depends on it! | M | 53 | 7 days | 11/13/2007 | 1 | nausea for breast cancer | CONSTANT HEADACHE | I WILL NEVER TAKE THIS DRUG AGAIN!! | F | 37 | 7 days | 10/12/2007 | 1 | brain tumor | Um all of the side effects. Confusion, raging bitch, MOON FACE, gaining like 35 lbs., insomnia, constipation, acne, sweating, bone pain (when weening off...take oxycodone), muscle deterioration, urgancy to pee, facial hair growth(that was fun). | Where should I begin?!? So my butt went to my gut and I looked like I had my wisdom teeth pulled in the middle of worse acne ever. I would swear like it was my job. F-bombs were my favorite. If I was talking to you...I would forget what I was saying halfway through. I was afraid to take a bath. I ran around in Depends. WORSE DRUG EVER! | F | 21 | 5 months | 10/3/2007 | 1 | brain tumor | Experienced them all: severe swelling- head, neck legs. Muscle weakness. pneumonia, kidney failure, diabetes, paranoia, loss of appetite. | this drug and its wild cascade of symptoms killed my mother. | F | 71 | 6 weeks | 7/3/2007 | 1 | Multiple Sclerosis | SEVERE muscle atrophy in legs, nausea, decreased potassium levels, hallucinations, bone and joint pain, severe mood swings, hypoglycemia, and steroid-induced myopathy. | Doctor misdiagnosed me as having a severe MS attack (actually had a fratured sacral not MS) and ruined my life with this drug. My leg muscles disappeared literally within just days leaving me in a wheelchair for months with steroid-induced myopathy. If anybody wants to give you this drug run awaying screaming as far and as fast as you can. | M | 54 | 12 days | 5/21/2007 | 1 | Acute Contact Dermatitis | Insatiable Appetite, Weight Gain with fluid retention (14lbs in 10 days) symptoms of psychosis, bi-polar symptoms... 4mg bid | almost 1 year later, still retain fluid, 30lbs heavier, distention, bph, high blood pressure... insomnia... joint pain... Fear Cushing's. | M | 40 | 10 days | 5/17/2007 | 1 | ITP-Platelet Disorder | Insomnia, irritability, achy muscles in legs, confusion, nervousness, upset stomach, indigestion, loss of taste | My doctor told me to take 10 4mg tablets but I knew from prior episode with itp that 40mg had me in a fog for quite some time so I only took 8mg and still had hidious side effects. | F | 44 | 4 days | 4/13/2007 | 1 | For Chemotherapy/Nausa | Huge weight gain, swollen ankles, moon face, anxiety, hand foot syndrome. | I want to know how to remove this horrible drug from my body, I have been off it for 6 months and the side effects are still here. I am told it is stored in tissues and fat cells. There must be a way to detoxify it. Please help if you know of any way. | F | 48 | 9 months | 3/23/2007 | 1 | Brain Lesions - CNS Vasculitis | Took 3 weeks for me to keep anything down when I first started it. Ended up in ER for dehydration and receiving Decadron by IV. Spinning, dizziness, insomnia, extreme hallucinations, psychosis, gained 60 pounds in the last 6 weeks (although no increase in appetite or eating behavior, muscle wawasting, weakness, Gross Edema - double chin the size of a papaya, looked like I was wearing an Edwardian collar, Hyperglycemia, short-term memory loss, confusion, muscle wasting, rash, acne, excess Keratin in facial skin I could scrape off with my finger nails, thrush mouth (the worst), asthma attacks when it wore off before the next dose - I felt like I couldn't breath, hump on back, "Cushing's Syndrome" appearance, excess hair on face (like male) - then when it came back out after ceasing the medication, it took more with it, tremors, night sweats,DVT (blood clot that caused hospitalization), stomach ulcer, blurred vision, and on and on. I'M SURE I'M FORGETTING SOME THINGS SINCE I | I was only on this medication for 58 days in 2001. A few side effects ceased as soon as I quit taking the medication. Many of the side effects continued and did not start backing off until 2003. They gradually started backing off and still doing this until 2007. I was told by a doctor at Cleveland Clinic that I was highly sensitive to this medication. I was also told that I would most probably be dead had I not taken this medication. I was also told that I could've been put on a different drug. I will not take this medication ever again and I was advised not too, although no one needed to tell me that! | F | 46 | 58 days | 3/10/2007 | 1 | chronic incapacitating migraines | CUSHING'S DISEASE | PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE! My neurologist prescribed it because nothing else could break my migraines. However I developed exogenous Cushing's and now I am very, very sick. Cushing's is a life threatening disorder and you do NOT want to get it. | F | 52 | 10 years | 11/29/2006 | 1 | brain swelling maybe...head aches | Hallucenations...things flying up and hitting me in the face, words on a page disappearing, seeing someone looking at me, etc. Swelling of face and neck, weakness of muscles, sweats (all time of the day and night), rash (like acne) on chest and face, feeling of unreality, not able to tell if real or not, hungry all of the time, anger when first coming off of the drug, muscle pain in bones and joints feeling like it was coming from deep within the bones or muscles, insomnia...no sleep but an hour here and there for days, confused. Had trouble breathing felt like my chest muscles were closing off my breathing. Felt helpless! | I will NEVER take this drug again....I'd rather be shot. This drug should be taken off of the market. Even after coming off of it I am still experiencing the side effects. I called poison control and they advised me that the drug should be completely out of my system....so why am I still having the adverse reactions?? | F | 45 | 36 days | 11/11/2006 | 1 | Brain Tumor | Nausea, decreased potassium levels, severe muscle atrophy in upper and lower extremities, hallucinations, edema, bone pain, sores, fluid retention, severe weight loss, mood swings. | This drug led to the death of my mother. | F | 4 days | 11/5/2006 |