CORTICOSTEROIDS Glucocorticoid Effects (Systemic)

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.?

• Acetocot ⁹
• A-hydroCort ⁵
• Amcort ⁹
• A-MethaPred ⁶
• Aristocort ⁹
• Aristocort Forte ⁹
• Aristopak ⁹
• Aristospan ⁹
• Articulose-50 ⁷
• Articulose-L.A. ⁹
• Celestone ¹
• Celestone Phosphate ¹
• Celestone Soluspan ¹
• Cinalone 40 ⁹
• Cinonide 40 ⁹
• Clinacort ⁹
• Clinalog ⁹
• Cordrol ⁸
• Cortastat ⁴
• Cortastat 10 ⁴
• Cortastat LA ⁴
• Cortef ⁵
• Cortone Acetate ³
• Cotolone ⁷
• Decadron ⁴
• Delta-Cortef ⁷
• Deltasone ⁸
• Depo-Medrol ⁶
• Dexamethasone Intensol ⁴
• Dexasone ⁴
• Dexasone L.A. ⁴
• Hydrocortone ⁵
• Hydrocortone Acetate ⁵
• Hydrocortone Phosphate ⁵
• Kenacort ⁹
• Kenacort Diacetate ⁹
• Kenaject-40 ⁹
• Kenalog-10 ⁹
• Kenalog-40 ⁹
• Ken-Jec 40 ⁹
• Key-Pred ⁷
• Key-Pred SP ⁷
• Liquid Pred ⁸
• Medrol ⁶
• Meprolone ⁶
• Meticorten ⁸
• Nor-Pred T.B.A. ⁷
• Orasone 1 ⁸
• Orasone 5 ⁸
• Orasone 10 ⁸
• Orasone 20 ⁸
• Orasone 50 ⁸
• Pediapred ⁷
• Predacort 50 ⁷
• Predalone 50 ⁷
• Predalone T.B.A. ⁷
• Predate-50 ⁷
• Predate S ⁷
• Predate TBA ⁷
• Predcor-25 ⁷
• Predcor-50 ⁷
• Predcor-TBA ⁷
• Predicort-RP ⁷
• Pred-Ject-50 ⁷
• Prednicot ⁸
• Prednisone Intensol ⁸
• Pred-Pak 45 ⁸
• Pred-Pak 79 ⁸
• Prelone ⁷
• Robalog ⁹
• Selestoject ¹
• Solu-Cortef ⁵
• Solu-Medrol ⁶
• Solurex ⁴
• Solurex LA ⁴
• Sterapred ⁸
• Sterapred DS ⁸
• Tac-3 ⁹
• Tramacort-D ⁹
• Triam-A ⁹
• Triam-Forte ⁹
• Triamolone 40 ⁹
• Triamonide 40 ⁹
• Tri-Kort ⁹
• Trilog ⁹
• Trilone ⁹
• Tristoject ⁹

In Canada?

• A-Hydrocort ⁵
• Apo-Prednisone ⁸
• Aristocort ⁹
• Aristocort Forte ⁹
• Aristocort Intralesional ⁹
• Aristospan ⁹
• Betnesol ¹
• Celestone Soluspan ¹
• Cortef ⁵
• Cortisone Acetate-ICN ³
• Cortone ³
• Decadron ⁴
• Decadron Phosphate ⁴
• Deltasone ⁸
• Depo-Medrol ⁶
• Deronil ⁴
• Dexasone ⁴
• Entocort ²
• Hexadrol Phosphate ⁴
• Kenacort ⁹
• Kenalog-10 ⁹
• Kenalog-40 ⁹
• Medrol ⁶
• Oradexon ⁴
• Pediapred ⁷
• Scheinpharm Triamcine-A ⁹
• Solu-Cortef ⁵
• Solu-Medrol ⁶
• Winpred ⁸

Another commonly used name for hydrocortisone is cortisol

Category

• Anti-inflammatory, steroidal?Betamethasone; Budesonide; Cortisone; Dexamethasone; Hydrocortisone; Methylprednisolone; Prednisolone; Prednisone; Triamcinolone
• Antiemetic,in cancer chemotherapy?Dexamethasone; Hydrocortisone; Prednisone
• Corticosteroid?Betamethasone; Budesonide; Cortisone; Dexamethasone; Hydrocortisone; Methylprednisolone; Prednisolone; Prednisone; Triamcinolone
• Diagnostic aid, Cushing's syndrome?Dexamethasone
• Diagnosticaid, endogenous depression?Dexamethasone
• Immunosuppressant?Betamethasone; Cortisone; Dexamethasone; Hydrocortisone; Methylprednisolone; Prednisolone; Prednisone; Triamcinolone

Description

Corticosteroids (kor-ti-koe-STER-oyds) (cortisone-like medicines)are used to provide relief for inflamed areas of the body. They lessen swelling,redness, itching, and allergic reactions. They are often used as part of thetreatment for a number of different diseases, such as severe allergies orskin problems, asthma, or arthritis. Corticosteroids may also be used forother conditions as determined by your doctor.

Your body naturally produces certain cortisone-like hormones that are necessaryto maintain good health. If your body does not produce enough, your doctormay have prescribed this medicine to help make up the difference.

Corticosteroids are very strong medicines. In addition to their helpfuleffects in treating your medical problem, they have side effects that canbe very serious. If your adrenal glands are not producing enough cortisone-likehormones, taking this medicine is not likely to cause problems unless youtake too much of it. If you are taking this medicine to treat another medicalproblem, be sure that you discuss the risks and benefits of this medicinewith your doctor.

These medicines are available only with your doctor's prescription, inthe following dosage forms:

Oral
• Betamethasone
  • Syrup (U.S.)
  • Tablets (U.S.)
  • Effervescent tablets (Canada)
  • Extended-release tablets
• Budesonide
  • Extended-release capsules (Canada)
• Cortisone
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
• Dexamethasone
  • Elixir (U.S.)
  • Oral solution (U.S.)
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
• Hydrocortisone
  • Oral suspension (U.S.)
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
• Methylprednisolone
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
• Prednisolone
  • Oral solution (U.S. and Canada)
  • Syrup (U.S.)
  • Tablets (U.S.)
• Prednisone
  • Oral solution (U.S.)
  • Syrup (U.S.)
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
• Triamcinolone
  • Syrup (U.S. and Canada)
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)

Parenteral
• Betamethasone
  • Injection (U.S. and Canada)
• Cortisone
  • Injection (U.S. and Canada)
• Dexamethasone
  • Injection (U.S. and Canada)
• Hydrocortisone
  • Injection (U.S. and Canada)
• Methylprednisolone
  • Injection (U.S. and Canada)
• Prednisolone
  • Injection (U.S.)
• Triamcinolone
  • Injection (U.S. and Canada)

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it willdo. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For corticosteroids,the following should be considered:

Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to corticosteroids. Also tell your health care professionalif you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives,or dyes.

Diet?If you will be using this medicine for a longtime, your doctor may want you to:

• Follow a low-salt diet and/or a potassium-rich diet.
• Watch your calories to prevent weight gain.
• Add extra protein to your diet.

Pregnancy?Studies on birth defects with corticosteroids havenot been done in humans. However, studies in animals have shown that corticosteroidscause birth defects.

Breast-feeding?Corticosteroids pass into breast milk and may causeproblems with growth or other unwanted effects in nursing babies. Dependingon the amount of medicine you are taking every day, it may be necessary foryou to take another medicine or to stop breast-feeding during treatment.

Children?Corticosteroids may cause infections such as chickenpoxor measles to be more serious in children who catch them. These medicinescan also slow or stop growth in children and in growing teenagers, especiallywhen they are used for a long time. Before this medicine is given to childrenor teenagers, you should discuss its use with your child's doctor and thencarefully follow the doctor's instructions.

Older adults?Older patients may be more likely to develop highblood pressure or osteoporosis (bone disease) from corticosteroids. Womenare especially at risk of developing bone disease.

Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are takingcorticosteroids, it is especially important that your health care professionalknow if you are taking any of the following:

• Ambenonium (e.g., Mytelase) or
• Neostigmine (e.g., Prostigmin) or
• Pyridostigmine (e.g., Mestinon)?May produce severe weaknessin patients with myasthenia gravis.

• Aminoglutethimide (e.g., Cytadren) or
• Antacids (in large amounts) or
• Barbiturates, except butalbital, or
• Carbamazepine (e.g., Tegretol) or
• Griseofulvin (e.g., Fulvicin) or
• Mitotane (e.g., Lysodren) or
• Phenylbutazone (e.g., Butazolidin) or
• Phenytoin (e.g., Dilantin) or
• Primidone (e.g., Mysoline) or
• Rifampin (e.g., Rifadin)?Use of these medicines may make certaincorticosteroids less effective

• Amphotericin B by injection (e.g., Fungizone)?Using corticosteroids with this medicine may decrease the amount of potassium in the blood. Seriousside effects could occur if the level of potassium gets too low

• Antidiabetic agents, oral (diabetes medicine taken by mouth) or
• Insulin?Corticosteroids may increase blood glucose (sugar)levels

• Clarithromycin (e.g., Biaxin) or
• Erythromycin (e.g., E-Mycin, Erythrocin)?These medicationsmay increase the amount of corticosteroid removed from your body.

• Cyclosporine (e.g., Sandimmune)?Use of this medicine with highdoses of methylprednisolone may cause convulsions (seizures)

• Digitalis glycosides (heart medicine)?Corticosteroids decreasethe amount of potassium in the blood. Digitalis can increase the risk ofhaving an irregular heartbeat or other problems if the amount of potassiumin the blood gets too low

• Diuretics (water pills) or
• Medicine containing potassium?Using corticosteroids with diureticsmay cause the diuretic to be less effective. Also, corticosteroids may increasethe risk of low blood potassium, which is also a problem with certain diuretics.Potassium supplements or a different type of diuretic is used in treatinghigh blood pressure in those people who have problems keeping their bloodpotassium at a normal level. Corticosteroids may make these medicines lessable to do this

• Immunizations (vaccinations)?While you are being treated withthis medicine, and even after you stop taking it, do not have any immunizationswithout your doctor's approval. Also, other people living in your home shouldnot receive the oral polio vaccine, since there is a chance they could passthe polio virus on to you. In addition, you should avoid close contact withother people at school or work who have recently taken the oral polio vaccine

• Ketoconazole (e.g., Nizoral)?May increase your risk of steroidside effects.

• Ritodrine (e.g., Yutopar)?Serious side effects could occur

• Skin test injections?Corticosteroids may cause false resultsin skin tests

• Sodium-containing medicine?Corticosteroids cause the body toretain (keep) more sodium (salt) and water. Too much sodium may cause highblood sodium, high blood pressure, and excess body water

• Somatrem (e.g., Protropin) or
• Somatropin (e.g., Humatrope)?Corticosteroids can interferewith the effects of these medicines

There are many other medicines that may interact with corticosteroids.Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescriptionor nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of corticosteroids. Make sure you tell your doctorif you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or
• Fungus infection or
• Herpes simplex infection of the eye or
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or
• Infection at the place of treatment or
• Other infection or
• Recent surgery or serious injury or
• Strongyloides (worm) infestation or
• Tuberculosis (active TB, nonactive TB, or past history of)?Corticosteroidscan cause slower healing, worsen existing infections, or cause new infections

• Chickenpox (including recent exposure) or
• Measles (including recent exposure)?Risk of severe diseaseaffecting other parts of the body

• Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes)?Corticosteroids may causea loss of control of diabetes by increasing blood glucose (sugar)

• Diverticulitis or
• Stomach ulcer or other stomach or intestine problems or
• Ulcerative colitis, severe?Corticosteroids may cover up symptomsof a worsening stomach or intestinal condition. A patient would not know ifhis or her condition was getting worse and would not get medical help whenneeded

• Glaucoma?Corticosteroids may cause the pressure within theeye to increase

• Heart disease or
• High blood pressure or
• Kidney disease (especially if you are receiving dialysis) or
• Kidney stones?Corticosteroids cause the body to retain (keep)more salt and water. These conditions may be made worse by this extra bodywater

• High cholesterol levels?Corticosteroids may increase bloodcholesterol levels

• Liver disease or
• Overactive thyroid or
• Underactive thyroid?With these conditions, the body may noteliminate the corticosteroid at the usual rate, which may change the medicine'seffect

• Myasthenia gravis?When you first start taking corticosteroids,muscle weakness may occur. Your doctor may want to take special precautionsbecause this could cause problems with breathing

• Osteoporosis (bone disease)?Corticosteroids may worsen bonedisease because they cause the body to lose more calcium

• Psychosis?This condition may be made worse

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)?This condition may causecertain side effects of corticosteroids to occur more easily

Proper Use of This Medicine

For patientstaking this medicine by mouth:

• Take this medicine with food to help preventstomach upset. If stomach upset, burning, or pain continues, check with yourdoctor.
• Stomach problems may be more likely to occur if you drink alcoholicbeverages while being treated with this medicine. You should not drink alcoholicbeverages while taking this medicine, unless you have first checked with yourdoctor.

For patients taking budesonide extended-release capsules:

• Swallow the capsule whole, without breaking, crushing, or chewingit.

Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor.Do not use more or less of it, do not use it more often, and do not use itfor a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chanceof side effects.

Dosing?The dose of these medicines will be differentfor different patients. Follow your doctor's orders orthe directions on the label. The following information gives the rangeof doses of these medicines for all uses, which can vary widely. The dosethat you are receiving may be very different. If yourdose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you todo so.

The number of capsules, tablets, teaspoonfuls of liquid or amount of injectionthat you use depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, andthe length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem forwhich you are taking the corticosteroid. In addition, your doctor may needto change the dose from time to time.

For betamethasone
• For oral dosage forms:
  • Syrup, tablets, effervescent tablets:
    • Adults and teenagers?Dose may range from 0.25 to 7.2 milligrams(mg) a day, as a single dose or divided into several doses.
    • Children?Dose is based on body weight or size and must be determinedby your doctor.
  • Extended-release tablets:
    • Adults and teenagers?2 to 6 mg a day.
    • Children?Dose is based on body weight or size and must be determinedby your doctor.
• For injection dosage form:
  • Adults and teenagers: Dose may range from 1.2 to 12 mg injected intoa joint, lesion, muscle, or vein as often as necessary, as determined by yourdoctor.
  • Children: Dose is based on body weight or size and must be determinedby your doctor.

For budesonide
• For oral dosage form (extended-releasecapsules):
  • Adults: At first, the dose is 9 milligrams (mg) a day for up to eightweeks. Then your doctor may decrease the dose to 6 mg a day. Each dose shouldbe taken in the morning before breakfast.
  • Children: Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

For cortisone
• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • Adults and teenagers: 25 to 300 milligrams (mg) a day, as a singledose or divided into several doses.
  • Children: Dose is based on body weight or size and must be determinedby your doctor.
• For injection dosage form:
  • Adults and teenagers: 20 to 300 mg a day, injected into a muscle.
  • Children: Dose is based on body weight or size and must be determinedby your doctor.

For dexamethasone
• For oral dosage forms (elixir, oral solution,tablets):
  • Adults and teenagers: 0.5 to 10 milligrams (mg) taken as often asnecessary, as determined by your doctor.
  • Children: Dose is based on body weight or size and must be determinedby your doctor.
• For injection dosage form:
  • Adults and teenagers: 0.2 to 40 mg injected into a joint, lesion,muscle, or vein as often as necessary, as determined by your doctor.
  • Children: Dose is based on body weight or size and must be determinedby your doctor.

For hydrocortisone
• For oral dosage forms (oral suspension,tablets):
  • Adults and teenagers: 20 to 800 milligrams (mg) every one or twodays, as a single dose or divided into several doses.
  • Children: Dose is based on body weight or size and must be determinedby your doctor.
• For injection dosage form:
  • Adults and teenagers: 5 to 500 mg injected into a joint, lesion,muscle, or vein, or under the skin as often as necessary, as determined byyour doctor.
  • Children: Dose is based on body weight or size and must be determinedby your doctor.

For methylprednisolone
• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • Adults and teenagers: 4 to 160 milligrams (mg) every one or two days,as a single dose or divided into several doses.
  • Children: Dose is based on body weight or size and must be determinedby your doctor.
• For injection dosage form:
  • Adults and teenagers: 4 to 160 mg injected into a joint, lesion,muscle, or vein as often as necessary, as determined by your doctor.
  • Children: Dose is based on body weight or size and must be determinedby your doctor.

For prednisolone
• For oral dosage forms (oral solution,syrup, tablets):
  • Adults and teenagers: 5 to 200 milligrams (mg) taken as often asnecessary, as determined by your doctor.
  • Children: Dose is based on body weight or size and must be determinedby your doctor.
• For injection dosage form:
  • Adults and teenagers: 2 to 100 mg injected into a joint, lesion,muscle, or vein as often as necessary, as determined by your doctor.
  • Children: Dose is based on body weight or size and must be determinedby your doctor.

For prednisone
• For oral dosage forms (oral solution,syrup, tablets):
  • Adults and teenagers: 5 to 200 milligrams (mg) every one or two days, as a single dose or divided into several doses.
  • Children: Dose is based on body weight or size and must be determinedby your doctor.

For triamcinolone
• For oral dosage forms (syrup, tablets):
  • Adults and teenagers: 2 to 60 milligrams (mg) a day, as a singledose or divided into several doses.
  • Children: Dose is based on body weight or size and must be determinedby your doctor.
• For injection dosage form:
  • Adults and teenagers: 0.5 to 100 mg injected into a joint, lesion,or muscle, or under the skin as often as necessary, as determined by yourdoctor.
  • Children: Dose is based on body weight or size and must be determinedby your doctor.

Missed dose?If you miss a dose of this medicine and your dosingschedule is:

• One dose every other day?Take the missed dose as soon as possibleif you remember it the same morning, then go back to your regular dosing schedule.If you do not remember the missed dose until later, wait and take it the followingmorning. Then skip a day and start your regular dosing schedule again.
• One dose a day?Take the missed dose as soon as possible, thengo back to your regular dosing schedule. If you do not remember until thenext day, skip the missed dose and do not double the next one.
• Several doses a day?Take the missed dose as soon as possible,then go back to your regular dosing schedule. If you do not remember untilyour next dose is due, double the next dose.

If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.

Storage?To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store capsules or tablets in the bathroom, near the kitchensink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine tobreak down.
• Keep the liquid dosage forms of this medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Precautions While Using This Medicine

Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits.Also, your progress may have to be checked after you have stopped using thismedicine, since some of the effects may continue.

Do not stop using this medicine without first checkingwith your doctor. Your doctor may want you to reduce gradually theamount you are using before stopping the medicine completely.

Check with your doctor if your condition reappears or worsens after thedose has been reduced or treatment with this medicine is stopped.

If you will be using corticosteroids for a long time:

• Your doctor may want you to follow a low-saltdiet and/or a potassium-rich diet.
• Your doctor may have you take a bisphosphonate (alendronate[e.g., Fosamax], risedronate [e.g., Actonel]) to help prevent and treat boneproblems while you are taking a corticosteroid.
• Your doctor may want you to watch your calories to prevent weightgain.
• Your doctor may want you to add extra protein to your diet.
• Your doctor may want you to have your eyes examined by an ophthalmologist(eye doctor) before, and also sometime later during treatment.
• Your doctor may want you to carry a medical identification card statingthat you are using this medicine.

Tell the doctor in charge that you are using this medicine:

• Before having skin tests.
• Before having any kind of surgery (includingdental surgery) or emergency treatment.
• If you get a serious infection or injury.

Avoid close contact with anyone who has chickenpoxor measles. This is especially important for children. Tell your doctor right away if you think you have been exposed to chickenpoxor measles.

While you are being treated with this medicine, and after you stop takingit, do not have any immunizations without your doctor'sapproval. Also, other people living in your home should not receivethe oral polio vaccine, since there is a chance they could pass the poliovirus on to you. In addition, you should avoid close contact with other peopleat school or work who have recently taken the oral polio vaccine.

For patients with diabetes:

• This medicine may affect blood glucose (sugar) levels. If you noticea change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests or if you haveany questions, check with your doctor.

For patients having this medicine injected into theirjoints:

• If this medicine is injected into one of your joints, you shouldbe careful not to put too much stress or strain on that joint for a while,even if it begins to feel better. Make sure your doctor has told you how muchyou are allowed to move this joint while it is healing.
• If redness or swelling occurs at the place of injection, and continuesor gets worse, check with your doctor.

Side Effects of This Medicine

Corticosteroids may loweryour resistance to infections. Also, any infection you get may be harder totreat. Always check with your doctor as soon as possible if you notice anysigns of a possible infection, such as sore throat, fever, sneezing, or coughing.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine maycause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur,if they do occur they may need medical attention. When this medicine is usedfor short periods of time, side effects usually are rare. However, check withyour doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Decreased or blurred vision; frequenturination; increased thirst

Rare

Blindness (sudden, when injected in the head or neck area); burning, numbness, pain, or tingling at or near place of injection; confusion; excitement; false sense of well-being; hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there); mental depression; mistaken feelingsof self-importance or being mistreated; mood swings(sudden and wide); redness, swelling, or other signof allergy or infection at place of injection; restlessness; skin rash or hives

Additional side effects mayoccur if you take this medicine for a long time. Check with your doctor ifany of the following side effects occur:

Abdominal or stomach pain or burning (continuing); acne; bloody or black, tarry stools; changes in vision; eyepain; filling or rounding out of the face; headache; irregular heartbeat; menstrual problems; muscle cramps orpain; muscle weakness; nausea; pain in arms, back, hips, legs, ribs, orshoulders; pitting, scarring, or depression of skinat place of injection; reddish purple lines on arms,face, groin, legs, or trunk; redness of eyes; sensitivity of eyes to light; stuntingof growth (in children); swelling of feet or lowerlegs; tearing of eyes; thin, shiny skin; trouble in sleeping; unusual bruising; unusual increase inhair growth; unusual tiredness or weakness; vomiting; weight gain (rapid); wounds that will not heal

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medicalattention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjuststo the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following sideeffects continue or are bothersome:

More common

Increased appetite; indigestion; loss of appetite (for triamcinolone only); nervousness or restlessness

Less common or rare

Darkening or lightening of skin color; dizziness or lightheadedness; flushing of face orcheeks; hiccups; increasedjoint pain (after injection into a joint); increasedsweating; nosebleeds (after injection into the nose); sensation of spinning

Afteryou stop using this medicine, your body may need time to adjust. Thelength of time this takes depends on the amount of medicine you were usingand how long you used it. If you have taken large doses of this medicine fora long time, your body may need one year to adjust. During this time, check with your doctor immediately if any of the following sideeffects occur:

Abdominal, stomach, or back pain; dizziness; fainting; fever; loss of appetite (continuing); muscleor joint pain; nausea; reappearance of disease symptoms; shortness of breath; unexplained headaches (frequent or continuing); unusual tiredness or weakness; vomiting; weight loss (rapid)

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Ifyou notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

Additional Information

Once a medicine has been approved for marketingfor a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medicalproblems. Although this use is not included in product labeling, some corticosteroidsare used in certain patients with the following medical condition:

• Croup in children (dexamethasone)