Dexamethasone .5 mg/5mL Elixir, 237 mL — NDC 64980-509-24 (Billing 64980-0509-24)

WARNINGS In patients on corticosteroid therapy subjected to unusual stress, increased dosage of rapidly acting corticosteroids before, during, and after the stressful situation is indicated. Immunosuppression and Increased Risk of Infection Corticosteroids, including Dexamethasone Elixir, suppress the immune system and increase the risk of infection with any pathogen, including viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoan, or helminthic pathogens. Corticosteriods can: Reduce resistance to new infections Exacerbate existing infections Increase the risk of disseminated infections Incease the risk of reactivation or exacerbation of latent infections Mask some signs of infection Corticosteriod-associated infections can be mild but can be severe and at times fatal.

The rate of infectious complications increases with increasing corticosteriod dosages. Monitor for the development of infection and consider Dexamethasone Elixir withdrawal or dosage reduction as needed. Tuberculosis If Dexamethasone Elixir is used to treat a condition in patients with latent tuberculosis or tuberculin reactivity, reactivation of tuberculosis may occur.

Closely monitor such patients for reactivation. During prolonged Dexamethasone Elixir therapy, patients with latent tuberculosis or tuberculin reactivity should receive chemoprophylaxis. Varicella Zoster and Measles Viral Infections Varicella and measles can have a serious or even fatal course in non-immune patients taking corticosteriods, including Dexamethasone Elixir.

In corticosteriod-treated patients who have not had these diseases or are non-immune, particular care should be taken to avoid exposure to varicella and measles: If a Dexamethasone Elixir-treated patient is exposed to varicella, prophylaxis with varicella zoster immune globulin may be indicated. If varicella develops, treatment with antiviral agents may be considered. If a Dexamethasone Elixir-treated patient is exposed to measles, prophylaxis with immunoglobulin may be indicated.

Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation Hepatitis B Virus reactivation can occur in patients who are hepatitis B carriers treated with immunosuppressive dosages of corticosteriods, including Dexamethasone Elixir. Reactivation can also occur infrequently in corticosteriod-treated patients who appear to have resolved hepatitis B infection. Screen patients for hepatitis B infection before intiating immunosuppressive (e.g., prolonged) treatment with Dexamethasone Elixir.

For patients who show evidence of hepatitis B infection, recommend consultation with physcians with expertise in managing hepatitis B regarding monitoring and consideration for hepatitis B antiviral therapy. Fungal Infections Corticosteriods, including Dexamethasone Elixir, may exacerbate systemic fungal infections; therefore, avoid Dexamethasone Elixir use in the presence of such infections unless Dexamethasone Elixir is needed to control drug reactions. For patients on chronic Dexamethasone Elixir therapy who develop systemic fungal infections, Dexamethasone Elixir withdrawal or dosage reduction is recommended.

Amebiasis Corticosteriods , including Dexamethasone Elixir, may activate latent amebiasis. Therefore, it is recommended that latent amebiasis or active amebiasis be ruled out before intiating Dexamethasone Elixir in patients who have spent time in the tropics or patients with unexplained diarrhea. Strongyloides Infestation Corticosteriods, including Dexamethasone Elixir, should be used with great care in patients with known or suspected Strongyloides (threadworm) infestation.

In such patients, cortcosteriod-induced immunosupression may lead to Strongyloides hyperinfection and dissemination with widespread larval migration, often accompanied by severe enterocolitis and potentially fatal gram-negative septicemia. Cerebral Malaria Avoid corticosteriods, including Dexamethasone Elixir, in patients with cerebral malaria. Kaposi's Sarcoma Kaposi's Sarcoma has been reported to occur in patients receiving corticoste… [Excerpted — this section continues on DailyMed.]

ADVERSE REACTIONS Fluid and Electrolyte Disturbances: Sodium retention Fluid retention Congestive heart failure in susceptible patients Potassium loss Hypokalemic alkalosis Hypertension Musculoskeletal: Muscle weakness Steroid myopathy Osteoporosis Aseptic necrosis of femoral and humeral heads Vertebral compression fractures Loss of muscle mass Pathologic fracture of long bones Tendon rupture Gastrointestinal: Pancreatitis Abdominal distention Peptic ulcer with possible perforation and hemorrhage Ulcerative esophagitis Perforation of the small and large bowel, particularly in patients with inflammatory bowel disease Dermatologic: Impaired wound healing Thin fragile skin Erythema May suppress reactions to skin tests Petechiae and ecchymoses Increased sweating Other cutaneous reactions, such as allergic dermatitis, urticaria, angioneurotic edema Neurologic: Convulsions Vertigo Headache Psychic Disturbances Increased intracranial pressure with papilledema (pseudotumor cerebri) usually after treatment Endocrine: Menstrual irregularities Development of cushingoid state Manifestations of latent diabetes mellitus Secondary adrenocortical and pituitary unresponsiveness, particularly in times of stress, as in trauma, surgery, or illness Decreased carbohydrate tolerance Suppression of growth in children Increased requirements for insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents in diabetes Hirsutism Ophthalmic: Posterior subcapsular cataracts Increased intraocular pressure Glaucoma Exophthalmos Metabolic: Negative nitrogen balance due to protein catabolism Cardiovascular: Myocardial rupture following recent myocardial infarction (See WARNINGS) Other: Hypersensitivity Thromboembolism Weight gain Increased appetite Nausea Malaise Hiccups

PRECAUTIONS Following prolonged therapy, withdrawal of corticosteroids may result in symptoms of the corticosteroid withdrawal syndrome including fever, myalgia, arthralgia, and malaise. This may occur in patients even without evidence of adrenal insufficiency. There is an enhanced effect of corticosteroids in patients with hypothyroidism and in those with cirrhosis.

Corticosteroids should be used cautiously in patients with ocular herpes simplex because of possible corneal perforation. The lowest possible dose of corticosteroid should be used to control the condition under treatment, and when reduction in dosage is possible, the reduction should be gradual. Psychic derangements may appear when corticosteroids are used,ranging from euphoria, insomnia, mood swings, personality changes, and severe depression, to frank psychotic manifestations.

Also, existing emotional instability or psychotic tendencies may be aggravated by corticosteroids. Aspirin should be used cautiously in conjunction with corticosteroids in hypoprothrombinemia. Steroids should be used with caution in nonspecific ulcerative colitis, if there is a probability of impending perforation, abscess,or other pyogenic infection, diverticulitis, fresh intestinal anastomoses, active or latent peptic ulcer, renal insufficiency,hypertension, osteoporosis and myasthenia gravis.

Signs of peritoneal irritation following gastrointestinal perforation in patients receiving large doses of corticosteroids may be minimal or absent. Fat embolism has been reported as a possible complication of hypercortisonism. When large doses are given, some authorities advise that corticosteroids be taken with meals and antacids taken between meals to help to prevent peptic ulcer.

Growth and development of infants and children on prolonged corticosteroid therapy should be carefully observed. Steroids may increase or decrease motility and number of spermatozoa in some patients. Phenytoin, phenobarbital, ephedrine, and rifampin may enhance the metabolic clearance of corticosteroids, resulting in decreased blood levels and lessened physiologic activity, thus requiring adjustment in corticosteroid dosage.

These interactions may interfere with dexamethasone suppression tests which should be interpreted with caution during administration of these drugs. False-negative results in the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) in patients being treated with indomethacin have been reported.Thus, results of the DST should be interpreted with caution in these patients. The prothrombin time should be checked frequently in patients who are receiving corticosteroids and coumarin anticoagulants at the same time because of reports that corticosteroids have altered the response to these anticoagulants.

Studies have shown that the usual effect produced by adding corticosteroids is inhibition of response to coumarins, although there have been some conflicting reports of potentiation not substantiated by studies. When corticosteroids are administered concomitantly with potassium-depleting diuretics, patients should be observed closely for development of hypokalemia. Information for Patients: Persons who are on immunosuppressant doses of corticosteroids should be warned to avoid exposure to chickenpox or measles.

Patients should also be advised that if they are exposed, medical advice should be sought without delay.