Dexamethasone oral tablet is a generic medication. The strengths of dexamethasone discussed in this article are not available in a brand-name version.
Dexamethasone comes in other forms that you take by mouth. It also comes in eye drop, ear drop, and injectable forms. But none of these forms are described in this article. To learn more about them, talk with your doctor.
This article describes dexamethasone oral tablet’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for dexamethasone.
If you want to know more about dexamethasone oral tablet, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, and more.
Dexamethasone oral tablet comes as follows:
- Form: tablet that you swallow
- Strengths: 0.5 milligrams (mg), 0.75 mg, 1 mg, 1.5 mg, 2 mg, 4 mg, and 6 mg
Dosage of dexamethasone
This article describes the recommended dosages* for dexamethasone oral tablet.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should take the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of dexamethasone oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.
Dexamethasone is used to treat many conditions in adults and some children. The conditions include those that cause inflammation or hormone deficiency. They also include conditions related to activity of the immune system. Examples of some of these types of conditions are:
For more examples of conditions, see the drug’s prescribing information and this overview article.
* The drugmaker provides these recommended dosages.
Usual recommended dosages of dexamethasone in adults
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of dexamethasone oral tablet that is best to treat your condition or type of cancer.
Usually, doctors will begin treatment with a starting dosage of dexamethasone oral tablet. Then, they’ll likely decrease it in small amounts over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of dexamethasone oral tablet that gives the desired outcome.
The drugmaker recommends a starting dosage range and a maintenance dosage based on your needs. A maintenance dosage is what you’ll take for the remainder of your treatment after the starting dosage. These dosages are:
- Starting dosage: 0.75 milligrams (mg) to 9 mg per day
- Maintenance dosage: the lowest dosage that gives the desired outcome
For a multiple sclerosis flare-up, your doctor may recommend a higher dosage. This might be 30 mg per day for 1 week. And then it might be decreased to 4–12 mg every other day for 1 month.
Dosages of dexamethasone in children
Dexamethasone is used to treat many conditions in children older than 1 month. The conditions include those that cause inflammation. They also include conditions related to activity of the immune system and some types of cancer.
Usually, doctors will begin treatment with a starting dosage of dexamethasone oral tablet. Then, they’ll likely decrease it in small amounts over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of dexamethasone oral tablet that gives the desired outcome.
For children, the drugmaker recommends a starting dosage range and a maintenance dosage based on your child’s needs. A maintenance dosage is what your child will take for the remainder of their treatment after the starting dosage. Your child’s doctor will use your child’s weight in kilograms (kg) to calculate their dosage. For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb). The dosages are:
- Starting dosage: 0.02–0.3 mg per kg (mg/kg) of body weight per day, to be divided into three to four doses
- Maintenance dosage: the lowest dosage that gives the desired outcome
For example, assume a doctor prescribes dexamethasone oral tablet for a 10-year-old child who weighs 35 kg (about 77 lb). Using a starting dosage of 0.3 mg/kg, the child will take 10.5 mg per day. This dosage will be divided into three or four doses as the doctor recommends.
Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about your child’s dosage.
Dosage adjustments for dexamethasone
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of dexamethasone oral tablet based on several factors. These include:
- the specific condition being treated and its severity
- your age
- other health conditions you may have
- how your body responds to the starting dose
Missed dose of dexamethasone
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of dexamethasone oral tablet. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.
For tips on how to plan your doses of dexamethasone oral tablet and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:
- downloading a reminder app on your phone
- setting an alarm
- putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about dexamethasone oral tablet and its dosage.
Is the injection dosage of dexamethasone similar to the tablet’s dosage?
Dosages for dexamethasone oral tablet are based on your condition and individual needs. Likewise, dosages for the injection form depend on the condition being treated and individual needs.
In general, the dosage of dexamethasone injection (into a muscle or vein) is less than the dosage of the oral tablet. It can be about one-third to one-half less. But for treating severe conditions, the dosage of the injection may be significantly higher.
For some conditions, a doctor may inject dexamethasone directly into a treated area, such as a knee or shoulder. In these cases, the dosage of the injection varies based on the treated area’s size and location.
To learn more about dosages of dexamethasone oral tablet and injection, you can talk with your doctor.
Can dexamethasone be taken for bronchitis? If so, what is the dosage?
Dexamethasone is not approved to treat bronchitis. It’s approved to treat bronchial asthma, but these are two different conditions. To learn more about the approved uses of dexamethasone oral tablet, see the “Dosage of dexamethasone” section above.
A 2020 U.S. study shows that oral corticosteroids have been used for bronchitis or other respiratory tract infections. Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid. But prescribing dexamethasone oral tablet for bronchitis would be an off-label use. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved to treat.
To learn more about treatment options for bronchitis, talk with your doctor.
Will my dose of dexamethasone be calculated by my weight in kilograms (kg)?
Doses of dexamethasone oral tablet for adults are not calculated by body weight. The drugmaker provides a recommended starting dosage range for adults. Your doctor will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
But doses of dexamethasone oral tablet for children are calculated by body weight in kg. For children, the drugmaker recommends a starting dosage range. It is 0.02 milligrams (mg) to 0.3 mg per kg (mg/kg) of body weight per day. This is divided into three to four doses.
For example, assume a doctor prescribes dexamethasone oral tablet for a 10-year-old child who weighs 35 kg (about 77 lb). Using a starting dosage of 0.3 mg/kg, the child will take 10.5 mg per day. This dosage will be divided into three or four doses as the doctor recommends.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about your dosage.
* For reference, 1 kg equals about 2.2 pounds (lb).
Is dexamethasone taken long term?
Dexamethasone oral tablets may be taken for long-term or short-term treatment. You and your doctor will determine whether it’s safe and effective for your condition. If you agree it is, you’ll take it for treatment duration your doctor recommends.
If you have questions about how long you should take dexamethasone oral tablet, talk with your doctor.
How dexamethasone is taken
You’ll swallow dexamethasone oral tablet every day. Your doctor will discuss with you how many times per day you should take it.
Dexamethasone may be taken with or without food. But taking it with food may help reduce stomach upset.
Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. In turn, that helps the drug work more effectively.
The tablets have a score line (groove) if you need to cut them. You may also chew or crush the tablets before swallowing them. If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, you might view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.
You should not suddenly stop taking dexamethasone oral tablets. Doing so can increase your risk of withdrawal side effects. (These side effects can occur when you stop taking a drug on which your body is dependent. They include joint pain, tiredness, and muscle aches. With dependence, your body needs the drug to function as usual.) If you’re considering stopping treatment, talk with your doctor first.
Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.
Dexamethasone coupon
Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for dexamethasone when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.
Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.
Overdose of dexamethasone
It’s important that you do not take more dexamethasone oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to serious side effects.
What to do if you take too much dexamethasone
If you think you’ve taken too much dexamethasone, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes the usual recommended dosages for dexamethasone oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Do not change your dosage of dexamethasone oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take dexamethasone oral tablet exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- I’m switching to dexamethasone oral tablet from another corticosteroid. What will my starting dosage of dexamethasone be?
- Will my risk of side effects increase with higher dosages of dexamethasone oral tablet?
- How often will my dosage be changed after my starting dose?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks 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.
