Drug Review - DexPak (Dexamethasone)

Dexpak is a drug I was prescribed a few weeks ago. This medicine was for treatment of a breathing problem I was having. I have never taken this this medicine before and did not fully understand what I should have expected. Since this drug was for my breathing and given to me by a licensed doctor, I assumed I would be fine, being that I was a diabetic and I had to watch my blood sugars on a regular basis, but I was wrong.

First let me tell you that I trust my doctors fully and I never doubt their care but now I am not so confident in the doctor who prescribed this to me. I was not aware of any thing I should watch for in my blood sugars changing or staying to high, in the dangerous levels, but I should have.

In the description and warnings of this medicine, there is a mention to "If you have diabetes, this medicine may affect your blood sugar." "Check blood sugar levels closely and ask your Doctor before adjusting the dose of your medicine." I did not think much about it, because almost every medicine has a mention of either being pregnant or a diabetic, so therefore I did not give much thought to it. I should have. Let me tell you, this is a hazard to anyone with blood sugar problem, or anyone who is a diabetic.

I am not trying to dissuade anyone, but I think a person should think twice about taking this medicine if you are a diabetic. The first week on this medicine, I had reading was 400+ in my blood sugar readings. I was experiencing vaginal irritation, and my vision was blurring. My eyesight was the worst for me, taking in account I had severe high blood sugar. I could not even sit on my couch and watch television, my eyesight was so bad. I tried to sit close but it still was not helpful.

When I finally got in to see my doctor that treats my diabetes, I was not a happy person. My emotions were at the worst state. I had not gotten a good nights sleep for many days. I had been awaken every night because of having to go to the bathroom, almost every hour. This was due to the high blood sugars I was having. I also was having trouble, because I was sweating frequently, that was due to the steroids, and some in part to the high blood sugars. My body was reacting to the constant high blood sugars, and because of being on a steroid, I had more than my share of troubles.

I would not recommend this if you are worried about high blood sugars, already. This will make you experience a dangerous level and you might experience nerve damage, and other complications. I am not saying that this medicine would not be alright for a normal person, one that does not have diabetes. If I had not been diabetic, I would have had little to no problems, I believe.

This tablet form was prescribed for thirteen days. It is a medicine that levels down the longer you take it. It starts with three tablets twice a day, before meals. It then tappers down to two tablets for twice a day, and so on. It is 1.500MG, and it has several warnings about stopping it before the dose is finished. If you stop taking it without supervision from a medical doctor, you could make your symptoms worse. Corticosteroids may lower your ability to fight an infection. If you have osteoporosis, you can be at risk, you should take extra calcium, and vitamin D while taking this type of medicine.

This medicine is not cheap, with insurance I still paid $45.00. If you do not have insurance it could be $59.00, or more depending on your insurance, or place of filling your prescription. Please ask your caregiver about the cheapest way to get this medicine.

I hope you never experience these side effects, and my hope is to get this information out about this medicine, especially if you are a diabetic. I will never take this medicine again, and I would not recommend it to diabetics.
God bless and stay healthy!