pms-Dexamethasone Adverse Reactions

Summary of the safety profile: The incidence of anticipated adverse effects correlates with the relative potency of the substance, dose, time of day of administration and duration of treatment. During a short-term therapy, in compliance with the dosage recommendations and close monitoring of patients, the risk of side effects is low.
The usual side effects of short-term dexamethasone treatment (days/weeks) include weight gain, psychological disorders, glucose intolerance and transitory adrenocortical insufficiency. Long-term dexamethasone treatment (months/years) usually causes central obesity, skin fragility, muscle atrophy, osteoporosis, growth retardation and long-term suprarenal insufficiency. (See also Precautions.)
Tabulated list of adverse reactions: See table.

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Description of selected adverse reactions: Adrenocortical insufficiency: An adrenocortical insufficiency, which is caused by glucocorticoid treatment, can, depending on the dose and length of treatment, remain for many months and in some cases more than a year, after discontinuation of treatment. (See Precautions.)
Psychological changes: Psychological changes are manifested in various forms, the most common being euphoria. Depression, psychotic reactions and suicidal tendencies may also appear. These illnesses can be serious. Usually they start within a few days or weeks of starting the medicine. They are more likely to happen at high doses. Most of these problems go away if the dose is lowered or the medicine is stopped. (See Precautions.)
Infections: Treatment with dexamethasone can conceal the symptoms of an existing, or developing infection thereby making a diagnosis more difficult and can lead to an increased risk of infection. (See Precautions.)
Intestinal perforation: Corticosteroids can be associated with an increased risk of colonic perforation in severe ulcerative colitis with threatened perforation, diverticulitis and entero-anastomosis (immediately postoperative).
Signs of peritoneal irritation after gastrointestinal perforation may be absent in patients receiving high doses of glucocorticoids. (See Precautions.)
Cardiovascular disorders: Bradycardia, deterioration of severe cardiac insufficiency and difficult to regulate high blood pressure may occur. Caution should be exercised when using corticosteroids in patients who have recently suffered myocardial infarction as myocardial rupture has been reported. (See Precautions.)
Paediatric population: Corticosteroids cause a dose-dependent inhibition of growth in infancy, childhood, and adolescence since corticosteroids may give rise to early closing of the epiphyses, which may be irreversible. (See Precautions.)
Elderly: The adverse effects of systemic corticosteroids can have serious consequences especially in old age, mainly osteoporosis, hypertension, hypokalemia, diabetes, susceptibility to infection and skin atrophy. (See Precautions.)
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions: Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions.