Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to dexamethasone: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
muscle tightness, weakness, or limp feeling;
blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;
shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain;
severe depression, unusual thoughts or behavior;
a seizure (convulsions);
bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood;
fast or slow heart rate, weak pulse;
pancreatitis - severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting;
low potassium level - leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling; or
increased blood pressure - severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears, anxiety, nosebleed.
Dexamethasone can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medicine.
Common dexamethasone side effects may include:
fluid retention (swelling in your hands or ankles);
increased appetite;
mood changes, trouble sleeping;
skin rash, bruising or discoloration;
acne, increased sweating, increased hair growth;
headache, dizziness;
nausea, vomiting, upset stomach;
changes in your menstrual periods; or
changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
 Dexamethasone side effects (more detail)
