Dexamethasone can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. More common side effects include fluid buildup and acne. If dexamethasone side effects become difficult to tolerate, talk with your doctor about coping tips or other treatment options.

Dexamethasone is used to treat many conditions, including allergic reactions, rheumatoid arthritis, and atopic dermatitis (a form of eczema).

Dexamethasone also comes in forms that are injectable and topical, but this article does not cover them. It focuses on the oral tablet form of the drug.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects dexamethasone can cause. To learn more about dexamethasone, including its uses, dosage, and cost, please see this dexamethasone overview.

Dexamethasone can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. Talk with your doctor if side effects do not go away, get worse, or become too difficult for you to tolerate.

Examples of dexamethasone’s commonly reported side effects include:

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

Mild side effects have been reported with dexamethasone. These include:

  • acne
  • unintentional weight gain
  • insomnia
  • indigestion
  • fluid buildup
  • changes in appetite
  • headache
  • swelling
  • nausea and vomiting
  • thinning hair on your scalp

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary, and some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not stop taking dexamethasone unless your doctor recommends it.

Dexamethasone may cause mild side effects other than those listed here. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

For more information about some of these side effects, see “Side effect specifics.”

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Dexamethasone may cause serious side effects. The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to dexamethasone’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking dexamethasone, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

  • digestive system side effects, including perforations (holes) in your digestive tract, which may include symptoms such as:
    • severe pain in the abdomen
    • nausea and vomiting
  • eye-related side effects, including glaucoma and cataracts, which may include symptoms such as:
    • blurry or double vision
    • difficulty seeing at night
  • heart-related side effects, including heart failure, which may cause symptoms such as:
  • myopathy (muscle weakness), which may include symptoms such as:
    • pain, spasms, or cramps in your muscles
    • exercise intolerance
  • adrenal insufficiency, which may include symptoms such as:
    • persistent fatigue
    • appetite loss
  • type 2 diabetes and high blood sugar, which may include symptoms such as:
  • increased pressure in the brain, which may include symptoms such as:
    • severe, persistent headache
    • blind spots in the vision
  • liver damage, which may include symptoms such as:
    • jaundice (yellowish coloration of the eyes or skin)
    • nausea and vomiting
  • low level of potassium in the blood, which may include symptoms such as:
    • cramping during exercise
    • muscle weakness
  • mental health side effects, including depression and sudden shifts in mood, which may include symptoms such as:
    • decreased energy
    • weight changes
    • difficulty concentrating
  • high blood pressure, which typically doesn’t cause symptoms but raises the risk of heart attack or stroke
  • increased risk of infection, including serious infections
  • osteoporosis, which may not cause symptoms but increases the risk of bone fractures or breaks

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medicines safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking dexamethasone and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Allergic reaction

For some people, dexamethasone can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep taking dexamethasone.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to dexamethasone, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Learn more about some of the side effects dexamethasone may cause.

Acne

It’s not clear how often acne was reported in studies of dexamethasone. Acne may cause symptoms such as:

  • swelling and inflammation
  • pain and tenderness when touched or not
  • skin discoloration, including dark patches or spots (hyperpigmentation) and redness or other color changes

What you can do

If you have acne during dexamethasone treatment, talk with your doctor. They may recommend medications, such as tazarotene (Tazorac) or oral antibiotics, to help manage acne symptoms. Home remedies for acne are also available, including changes in diet and engaging in physical activity, which may be helpful.

Unintentional weight gain

It’s not clear how often unintentional weight gain was reported in studies of dexamethasone. But, this side effect is more likely to occur with long-term versus short-term treatment with corticosteroids, including dexamethasone.

Other side effects of dexamethasone may also lead to weight gain. These include fluid buildup, swelling, and changes in appetite.

What you can do

If you experience unintentional weight gain while taking dexamethasone, talk with your doctor. They can recommend ways to help maintain a healthy weight for you.

Before taking dexamethasone, discuss your health history with your doctor. Dexamethasone may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

  • Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
  • Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.