Common brand names

• Decadron

How it is administered

Dexamethasone is available in several forms for administration:

• Oral tablets: Available in strengths such as 0.5 mg, 0.75 mg, 1 mg, 1.5 mg, 2 mg, 4 mg, and 6 mg.
• Oral solution: Available as a standard solution (0.5 mg per 5 mL) and as a concentrated solution (1 mg per mL).
• Injectable form: Dexamethasone sodium phosphate can be given by intramuscular or intravenous injection.
• Ophthalmic (eye) drops: Used for eye inflammation (not for blood cancers).

Your doctor will choose the form and dose that is best for your condition and needs.

How it works

Dexamethasone is a synthetic corticosteroid, which means it is a man-made version of a hormone naturally produced by your adrenal glands. It works by suppressing inflammation and modifying the body’s immune response. In blood cancers like lymphoblastic lymphoma, dexamethasone is used primarily for its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, which can help reduce swelling and control symptoms caused by the cancer or its treatment.

Dexamethasone can also help manage side effects of chemotherapy, such as allergic reactions or nausea. In the context of leukemia and lymphoma, it may be used as part of a chemotherapy regimen to help kill cancer cells or to reduce inflammation caused by the disease. Its ability to decrease immune activity can also help prevent complications from overactive immune responses.

Who should take it

Dexamethasone is indicated for the palliative management of leukemias and lymphomas, including lymphoblastic lymphoma. It is often used as part of combination chemotherapy regimens to help control the disease and manage symptoms.

Beyond blood cancers, dexamethasone is used to treat a wide range of conditions, including severe allergies, certain skin diseases, asthma, and autoimmune disorders. In cancer care, it may also be used to reduce swelling around tumors, manage nausea from chemotherapy, and treat other complications related to cancer or its treatment.

Who should not take it

Dexamethasone should not be taken by people who have systemic fungal infections, as it can worsen these infections. It is also contraindicated in patients who are allergic to dexamethasone or any of its ingredients.

Caution should be used in people with certain infections (such as tuberculosis, herpes simplex of the eye, or untreated bacterial/viral infections), those with recent heart attack, or those with certain eye conditions like glaucoma. Live vaccines should not be given while on immunosuppressive doses of dexamethasone.

Commonly used with

In the treatment of lymphoblastic lymphoma and other blood cancers, dexamethasone is commonly used in combination with other chemotherapy agents such as vincristine, asparaginase, methotrexate, and anthracyclines (like doxorubicin). It may also be used with medications to prevent or treat side effects, such as anti-nausea drugs or antibiotics.

Commonly tested with

Dexamethasone is frequently tested in combination with other chemotherapy drugs in clinical trials for blood cancers, including regimens for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoblastic lymphoma. It is also studied alongside supportive care medications to manage side effects of cancer treatment.