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<DOCUMENT author="perl program" datec=020199 title="leaflet" book="ABPI" edition="1996-97" section="company">
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WHAT IS IN DEXAMETHASONE
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INJECTION BP 5 MG/ML?
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Active Substance The active substance in Dexamethasone Injection is dexamethasone sodium phosphate, 5mg per millilitre
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Other substances in the vial:
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Dexamethasone injection also contains glycerol, disodium edetate, methylparaben, propylparaben, water for injection and sodium hydroxide or phosphoric acid
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Other substances in the ampoule:
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Dexamethasone injection also contains glycerol, disodium edetate. water for injection and sodium hydroxide or phosphoric acid
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Appearance
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 Dexamethasone injection is a clear colourless liquid and comes in either 2ml vials or 1 ml ampoules in packs of 10 Vials may also be available as single packs Ampoules may also be available in packs of 5 and 25 Therapeutic Group Dexamethasone belongs to a group of medicines called corticosteroids. Corticosteroids work by reducing inflammation in the body and can be used to treat many different diseases
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Product Licence Holder:
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Organon Laboratories Ltd .
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Cambridge Science Park.
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Milton Road, Cambridge. CB4 4FL
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Manufactured by:
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Ampoules:
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Organon Laboratories Ltd,
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Newhouse Industrial Estate.
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Newhouse, Motherwell, Scotland ML1 5SH
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Vials:
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N.V. Organon, Oss, The Netherlands 
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WHAT IS DEXAMETHASONE
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USED FOR?
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Dexamethasone can be used to reduce inflammation or to treat a number of different diseases of the immune system.
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In general Dexamethasone can be used in medical emergencies, whenever its use may be life-saving
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WHEN SHOULD DEXAMETHASONE
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NOT BE GIVEN?
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Dexamethasone may not be suitable for you if you suffer from certain allergies or other medical conditions Before Dexamethasone is given to you make sure you tell your doctor if you suffer or have ever suffered from any of the following:
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hypersensitivity to any ingredient in this medicine
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an infection that affects the whole body
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joint infections, especially at the injection site <CB n=1>
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WHAT PRECAUTIONS
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SHOULD BE TAKEN?
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While taking Dexamethasone you may need to be examined by your doctor more frequently
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Extra supervision by you doctor may be necessary in some cases You must tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any of the following:
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Osteoporosis (thinning of the bones
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Hypertension (very high blood pressure}
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Heart disease } Diabetes
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TB (tuberculosis)
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Glaucoma (raised eye pressure)
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Serious affective disorders especially steroid psychosis - (psychiatric illness made worse by steroids)
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Muscle disease caused by corticosteroids
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Liver disease
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Kidney disease
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Epilepsy
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Stomach ulcers 
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 Migraine It is important that you avoid close contact with anybody who is suffering from chicken-pox or shingles if you have not previously suffered from these diseases If you develop chicken-pox while taking Dexamethasone tell your doctor immediately You should always carry a 'steroid treatment' card which gives clear guidance on the special care to be taken when you are using this medicine. Show this to any doctor, dentist or nurse who may be giving you treatment Even after your treatment has finished you must tell anyone who is giving you treatment that you have taken steroids
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If you are in an accident or need an operation, tell your doctor that you are taking dexamethasone
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Are you going on holiday?
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If you think you may need a vaccination, tell your doctor you are taking dexamethasone <PB n=2> <CB n=2>
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WHAT OTHER MEDICINES ARE YOU
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TAKING?
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Other medicines may affect how Dexamethasone works or Dexamethasone may affect how they work Tell your doctor if you are using (or intend to use} any other medicines.
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Other drugs that reduce the effect of Dexamethasone are
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Antibiotics such as rifampicin, rifabutin.
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Drugs for epilepsy e g carbamazepine, phenytoin. phenobarbitone, primidone, ephedrine, phenylbutazone.
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Drugs used in the treatment of breast cancer e g aminoglutethimide
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Some medicines may not work as well when Dexamethasone is taken at the same time:
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The effectiveness of
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drugs used to treat diabetes (hypoglycaemic agents)
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drugs used to treat high blood pressure (anti-hypertensives)
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diuretics (water pills)
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drugs which regulate heart beat (cardiac glycosides) are reduced when dexamethasone is taken.
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Dexamethasone affects acetazolamide. loop diuretics, thiazide diuretics and carbenoxolone, these drugs are used to lower potassium levels
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The effects of drugs which prevent blood clotting: (coumarin anticoagulants e.g. warfarin) may be increased by Dexamethasone and frequent tests may be required.
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Dexamethasone may affect the action of salicylates e g aspirin n patients with low prothrombin levels in the blood
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Pregnancy
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 If you are pregnant, or suspect that you are pregnant or if you are breastfeeding then you must tell your doctor. Your doctor will decide if Dexamethasone can be given to you Ability to drive or operate machinery As far as is known, Dexamethasone has no effect on alertness or concentrationblood clots (thrombosis)
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brief burning, redness and swelling at the injection site
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damage to the joint at the injection site
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damaged tendons
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Candidiasis (thrush) If you suffer from any of the above side-effects or any other effects that you think may be due to your medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist
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How should you store Dexamethasone?
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The hospital will store Dexamethasone in a fridge or below 25°C in the dark. As with all medicines Dexamethasone should be kept in a safe place out of reach of children There is a &quot;use by&quot; date on the pack. This medicine should not be used after this date This information was last updated in May 1995
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General Things To Remember About Medicines
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This medicine has been prescribed for your current medical problems Do not use it for other medical problems.
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Do not allow other people to use your medicines and do not use medicines meant for other people.
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Tell any doctor treating you what medicines you are taking.
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Return unused medicines to the pharmacy for disposal.
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Make sure that other people you may live with or who look after you read this information.
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Keep medicines out of the reach of children.
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