You may receive dexamethasone prior to chemotherapy to help ease side effects, such as nausea and vomiting. However, it isn’t necessary for all types of chemotherapy.

Dexamethasone is a medication that has many uses. In some cases, it may be suitable for people who are undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer.

This article will help explain why medical professionals sometimes give dexamethasone to people prior to chemotherapy, how they administer it, and what the side effects may be.

Dexamethasone is a steroid medication. It’s similar to a hormone that the body produces naturally that can help reduce inflammation and ease the immune response.

Dexamethasone can help treat nausea and vomiting after surgery. Medical professionals may also recommend it for people receiving chemotherapy, especially for certain cancers, such as lung, breast, and pancreatic cancer.

Chemotherapy is a powerful medication that slows or stops the growth of cancer cells. This class of medication is an effective cancer treatment that works by destroying rapidly growing cancer cells.

But chemo drugs can’t tell the difference between cancerous and noncancerous fast-growing cells in the body. The result of this systemic effect can lead to side effects, including nausea and vomiting.

Dexamethasone can help prevent nausea and vomiting when receiving it alongside chemotherapy.

There’s also some research that suggests dexamethasone may help decrease mortality rates in people undergoing certain types of cancer surgeries.

However, some reports have raised concerns that dexamethasone may make certain chemotherapy treatments less effective, particularly when chemotherapy is combined with immunotherapies.

What types of chemotherapy drugs may require dexamethasone?

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recommends dexamethasone as part of a preventive strategy for nausea and vomiting with the following chemotherapies:

Dosing and even prescribing recommendations can vary based on the likelihood of these different therapies causing nausea. For example, cisplatin has a high risk of causing nausea, while oxaliplatin has a lower risk, according to ASCO.

Dexamethasone as a cancer treatment

In addition to treating nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, dexamethasone is also sometimes a cancer treatment itself.

It may be combined with other medications for the treatment of cancers, such as:

Dexamethasone is available in several forms, including oral tablets, liquids, and intravenous (IV) injections.

You may also receive another medication to relieve nausea and vomiting, such as 5-HT-3 receptor antagonists.

Some possible side effects of dexamethasone include:

Some side effects may be more serious. Let your healthcare team know if you notice any of the following side effects:

  • skin rashes
  • swelling of the face, legs, or ankles
  • ongoing or frequent infections
  • black or tarry stools
  • vision changes
  • muscle weakness

Dexamethasone is a medication that can help ease chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

Depending on the type of chemotherapy you need and how likely you are to experience chemo-induced nausea and vomiting, your oncologist may or may not recommend dexamethasone.

Be sure to talk with your oncologist or healthcare team if you have questions about the use of dexamethasone with chemotherapy. They can advise on when and how you will receive the medication, as well as how to manage any side effects that may develop.