This patient-friendly article is about chemotherapy drug, Dexamethasone which is a steroid tablet generally given in doses of 0.5mgs upwards. It is an anti-inflammatory and an immuno-suppressant. It is extremely powerful 20-30 times more potent than hydrocortisone and 4-5 times more than prednisone. It is sometimes used to help the side-effects of chemotherapy, and with brain tumours, as it counteracts oedema (accumulation of fluid) which could eventually compress other brain structures.
Side effects can include: stomach irritation, increased appetite, swelling around the face, vomiting, insomnia, headache, dizziness, depression, acne and easy bruising.
Go to: 10 ways to improve your chemotherapy success and reduce side-effects
Other articles that you may find interesting are:
- A diet for Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy overview
- A to Z Guide to Complementary Therapies
Go to: Return to the CANCERactive drug list