Dexamethasone

FDA label information for this drug is available at DailyMed.

Use in Cancer

Dexamethasone is approved to be used to reduce inflammation and suppress (lower) the body’s immune response.

Dexamethasone is used with other drugs to treat the following types of cancer:

• Leukemia.
• Lymphoma.
• Multiple myeloma.
• Mycosis fungoides (a type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma).

Dexamethasone is also used alone or with other drugs to prevent or treat the following conditions related to cancer:

• Anemia.
• Cerebral edema (fluid build-up in the brain) associated with brain tumors.
• Drug hypersensitivity (allergic reactions).
• Hypercalcemia (high blood levels of calcium).
• Thrombocytopenia (low platelet levels).

Dexamethasone is also used alone or with other drugs to treat many other diseases and conditions. The drug continues to be studied in the treatment of many types of cancer and other conditions.

More About Dexamethasone

Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary – Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.

More About Dexamethasone – A lay language summary of important information about this drug that may include the following:

• warnings about this drug,
• what this drug is used for and how it is used,
• what you should tell your doctor before using this drug,
• what you should know about this drug before using it,
• other drugs that may interact with this drug, and
• possible side effects.

Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.

Research Results and Related Resources

Steroids May Limit the Effectiveness of Immunotherapy for Brain Cancer

Clinical Trials Accepting Patients

Find Clinical Trials for Dexamethasone – Check for trials from NCI’s list of cancer clinical trials now accepting patients.