Dexamethasone Viatris (Dexamethasone Phosphate (As Sodium))
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Dexamethasone Viatris Used For?
Dexamethasone Viatris contains dexamethasone phosphate, a corticosteroid that helps reduce inflammation in your body. It’s used to treat various conditions where inflammation is a problem.
Primary Uses
This medication treats inactive or underactive adrenal glands, certain immune system disorders, skin problems, asthma, and arthritis. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
How It Works
As a corticosteroid, it reduces inflammation, which is one of your body’s natural reactions to injury. Except when treating underactive adrenal glands, this medication treats symptoms rather than curing the underlying disease.
Good to know: This medicine is not addictive.
How to Take Dexamethasone Viatris
Dexamethasone Viatris is given only by a doctor or nurse as an injection. You cannot take this medication yourself at home.
Administration Method
This medication is given as a slow injection or infusion into your veins, or as an injection into an injured muscle or joint. It may be given as a single dose or as a course of multiple injections. Your doctor will determine the correct dose based on your condition, weight, and other factors.
Dosage Determination
The dose varies depending on the condition being treated. Once your condition improves, the dosage will be adjusted to the minimum amount needed to control your symptoms. Your doctor will determine how long you need this treatment.
Important: Do not stop treatment abruptly if you’ve received high doses or repeated doses for more than three weeks. A gradual dose reduction may be needed to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Gas or abdominal bloating
- Bad taste in mouth
- Menstrual irregularity
- Weight gain
- Fluid retention and swelling
- Increased body hair
- Easy bruising
- Slow-healing wounds
- Muscle weakness
- Headache
- Dizziness or fainting
- Thin, fragile skin
- Acne
- Painful bumps under skin
- Sleep disturbances
- Reduced growth in children
- Blurred vision
- Increased susceptibility to infections
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Signs of allergic reaction (rash, itching, hives, swelling of face/lips/tongue, breathing difficulties)
- Severe stomach pain
- Severe muscle pain or weakness with dark urine or reduced urination
- Signs of infection
- Blood in stool
- Irregular heartbeat
- Vision changes
- Mood changes or mental disorders (irritability, depression, suicidal thoughts, hallucinations, anxiety, confusion, memory loss, insomnia)
- Sleep pattern changes
- Joint pain or broken bones
- Breakdown of weight-bearing joints
- Tendon rupture
- Seizures or convulsions
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Dexamethasone Viatris should not be used or requires special caution.
Who Should Not Take Dexamethasone Viatris
Do not use if you’re allergic to dexamethasone sodium phosphate or any ingredients, have an internal fungal infection or infection at injection site, recently received a live vaccine (unless for replacement therapy), have myasthenia gravis, stomach ulcer, osteoporosis, or severe mental health condition. For local injections, avoid if you have bloodstream infection or unstable joints.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have diabetes, current or recent infections, heart failure or recent heart attack, kidney or liver disease, adrenal or thyroid disease, bowel problems, high blood pressure, eye diseases including glaucoma, epilepsy, Cushing’s disease, intestinal disease, osteoporosis, bacteria in bloodstream, tuberculosis, recent chickenpox or measles exposure, pheochromocytoma tumors, ARDS for over 2 weeks, head injury or stroke, pre-eclampsia, or severe mental illness.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
This medication is not generally recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The active ingredient may pass into breast milk and could affect your baby. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Elderly Patients: If you are over 65 years of age, you may have an increased chance of getting side effects.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interfere with Dexamethasone Viatris and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
- Barbiturates, carbamazepine, or phenytoin (epilepsy medicines)
- Aspirin and other anti-inflammatory medicines, especially phenylbutazone
- Insulin or other diabetes medicines
- Estrogens and oral contraceptives
- Anti-thyroid medicines
- Diuretics (fluid tablets), particularly furosemide and thiazides
- Blood thinners like warfarin or heparin
- Recent vaccinations or immunizations
- Ciclosporin (transplant rejection prevention)
- Infection-fighting medicines like rifabutin, rifampicin, amphotericin B, vancomycin
- Ritonavir (HIV/AIDS treatment)
- Ketoconazole (fungal infections)
- Digoxin (heart conditions)
- Aminoglutethimide (breast cancer hormone)
- Cancer medicines like daunorubicin or doxorubicin
- Asthma medicines like albutamol, salmeterol
- Heartburn and indigestion medicines
- Doxapram (lung disease treatment)
- Glycopyrronium bromide (reduces secretions)
Alcohol & Driving
Dexamethasone Viatris can affect your ability to drive safely and may interact with alcohol.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Drinking alcohol while receiving this treatment may make dizziness worse.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how this medication affects you. It may cause dizziness and blurred vision in some people. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything dangerous if you experience these symptoms.
Storage
This medication will usually be stored in the hospital pharmacy or on the ward in a cool, dry place protected from light where the temperature stays below 25°C. It will be kept where children cannot reach it. The medication is used only once and then discarded – it’s never stored after opening or used for more than one person.
Overdose Information
Since this medication is given in a hospital under medical supervision, overdose is very unlikely. However, if you experience severe side effects, tell your doctor or nurse immediately. If not in hospital, go to the nearest Emergency Department or call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26). Overdose symptoms may include swelling of limbs, stomach pain, or altered mental state. You may need urgent medical attention even if you don’t feel unwell.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, this medicine is not addictive.
Do not stop treatment abruptly if you’ve received high doses or repeated doses for more than three weeks. A gradual dose reduction may be required to prevent withdrawal symptoms like fever, aches and pains, itchy skin, weight loss, conjunctivitis, or blocked sinuses.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Drinking alcohol while receiving this treatment may make dizziness worse.
Your doctor will monitor your condition and adjust the dosage as soon as improvement is noticed to the minimum required to control your symptoms.
If you are over 65 years of age, you may have an increased chance of getting side effects. Your doctor will consider this when determining your treatment.
If you only receive one or two doses of this medicine, side effects are rare. With higher doses or longer-term therapy, side effects become more common.
Remind any doctor, dentist, or pharmacist you visit that you have been given Dexamethasone Viatris. If you’re having surgery, tell the surgeon or anesthetist as it may affect other medicines used during surgery.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.