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dexamethasone
Used for Allergic Conjunctivitis, Allergic Rhinitis, Anaphylaxis, Asthma, Chronic ITP, Eczema, Edema, Eye Inflammation, Gout, Leukemia, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Osteoarthritis, Pet Meds, Psoriasis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Seborrheic Dermatitis, Skin Allergy, Tuberculosis, Ulcerative Colitis
Used for Allergic Conjunctivitis, Allergic Rhinitis, Anaphylaxis, Asthma, Chronic ITP, Eczema, Edema, Eye Inflammation, Gout, Leukemia, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Osteoarthritis, Pet Meds, Psoriasis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Seborrheic Dermatitis, Skin Allergy, Tuberculosis, Ulcerative Colitis
Dexamethasone (Maxidex) is an eye drop that helps treat eye inflammation, swelling, and irritation. The generic formulation of the medication can also be used in the ear for ear inflammation.
What is Dexamethasone (Maxidex)?
What is Dexamethasone (Maxidex) used for?
- Eye inflammation - all formulations of dexamethasone 0.1% drops
- Ear inflammation - generic dexamethasone 0.1% solution only
How Dexamethasone (Maxidex) works
Dexamethasone (Maxidex) is a corticosteroid medication. When it's applied directly into your eyes, it lowers inflammation to help treat eye itching, swelling, pain, and redness. Similarly, when it's applied directly into your ear, the medication lowers ear pain, swelling, and redness.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Maxidex |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Corticosteroid |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Dexamethasone (Maxidex)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
When used for eye inflammation:
- Eye discomfort (10%)
- Eye irritation (1%)
Less Common Side Effects
When used for eye inflammation:
- Dry eye
- Blurred vision
- Itchy eye
- Feeling like something is in your eye
- Sensitivity to light
- Eye infection
Dexamethasone (Maxidex) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severe allergic reaction: hives; trouble breathing; swelling in the face, tongue, or throat
The following Dexamethasone (Maxidex) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Aggression
agitation
blurred vision
decrease in the amount of urine
dizziness
fast, slow, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
headache
irritability
mental depression
mood changes
nervousness
noisy, rattling breathing
numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
pounding in the ears
swelling of the fingers, hands, feet, or lower legs
trouble thinking, speaking, or walking
troubled breathing at rest
Incidence not known
Abdominal or stomach cramping and/or burning (severe) or pain
backache
bloody, black, or tarry stools
cough or hoarseness
darkening of the skin
decrease in height
decreased vision
eye tearing
facial hair growth in females
fainting
fever or chills
flushed, dry skin
fractures
fruit-like breath odor
full or round face, neck, or trunk
heartburn and/or indigestion (severe and continuous)
increased hunger
increased thirst
increased urination
loss of appetite
loss of sexual desire or ability
lower back or side pain
menstrual irregularities
muscle pain or tenderness
muscle wasting or weakness
pain in the back, ribs, arms, or legs
painful or difficult urination
skin rash
sweating
trouble healing
trouble sleeping
unexplained weight loss
unusual tiredness or weakness
vision changes
vomiting
vomiting of material that looks like coffee grounds
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Increased appetite
Incidence not known
Abnormal fat deposits on the face, neck, and trunk
dry scalp
lightening of normal skin color
red face
reddish purple lines on the arms, face, legs, trunk, or groin
swelling of the stomach area
thinning of the scalp hair
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get your GoodRx coupon
N/A
GoodRx discount
$4.65
Pros and cons of Dexamethasone (Maxidex)
Pros
- Treats a variety of inflammatory conditions in the eyes and ears
- Dexamethasone 0.1% solution is available as a lower-cost generic
- Not many side effects since the medication is placed directly into the eyes or ears
Cons
- Won't treat eye or ear infections
- Need to use multiple times per day
- Might be difficult for some people to use properly
Pharmacist tips for Dexamethasone (Maxidex)
- Wash your hands before and after using dexamethasone (Maxidex). To avoid spreading germs into the medication, don't touch the dropper tip to any surface, including your eye, eyelids, or ear.
- If your provider said you can wear contact lenses during treatment, take them out before using dexamethasone (Maxidex) in the eyes to prevent any damage to the lenses. Then, wait at least 15 minutes after using the medication to put them back into your eye(s).
- Make sure to keep the dexamethasone (Maxidex) bottle capped and closed tightly when you're not using it. Don't share the medication with anyone to prevent the infection from spreading to other people.
- If you're using more than one eye drop medication, wait at least 5 minutes between using medications. This makes sure your eye can fully absorb each medication.
- Store dexamethasone (Maxidex) in a cool and dry place at room temperature and keep away from children.
- If you're using the Maxidex brand (dexamethasone 0.1% suspension), shake the bottle well before using it.
- How to use dexamethasone (Maxidex) for eye inflammation: To use the medication in the eye, tilt your head backward and look up. Then, gently pull your lower eyelid down to form a small pocket, and squeeze one drop of medication into this pocket. Don't blink or wipe your eyes. Close your eye while pressing a finger against the inside corner of your eye for a few minutes to help keep the medication in your eye.
- How to use generic dexamethasone 0.1% solution for ear inflammation: To use the medication in the ear, first make sure the ear is clean and dry. Tilt your head so that the affected ear is facing up. Gently pull your ear back and upwards to help open up the ear canal. Squeeze the prescribed number of drops directly into the ear. Then, press the small flap of skin near your ear to cover your ear to help the medication go into the ear canal. Keep the ear tilted up for a few minutes so the medication can get absorbed into the ear.
Risks and warnings for Dexamethasone (Maxidex)
Dexamethasone (Maxidex) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Eye problems, eye infections, and slow healing (when used in the eye)
- Risk factors: Long-term use | History of glaucoma or cataracts | History of viral infections (including herpes simplex) in the eye | Recent surgery in the cornea
Long-term use of dexamethasone (Maxidex) raises your risk of glaucoma, vision problems, and thinning of the cornea (outer layer of your eye). It can also cause new or worsening eye infections. Don't take this medication if you have an eye infection, including herpes simplex. If you've had recent surgery in your cornea, using dexamethasone (Maxidex) can slow the healing process. If you need to take dexamethasone (Maxidex) for a long time (10 days or longer), you'll need regular eye exams to check the health of your eyes. Let your provider know if you have vision changes or eye pain while using this medication.
Damage to contact lenses (when used in the eye)
Dexamethasone (Maxidex) contains a preservative called benzalkonium chloride. This preservative can get absorbed into soft contact lenses and damage them. If your provider said you can wear contact lenses during treatment, take them out before you use the eye drops. Wait at least 15 minutes after using the medication to put them back into your eye(s).
Severe allergic reaction
- Risk factors: History of allergy to sulfites
Generic dexamethasone 0.1% solution contains sulfites. Tell your provider about all of your allergies before starting this medication. If you experience hives, trouble breathing, or swelling in your eyes, face, tongue, or throat, get medical help right away.
Dexamethasone (Maxidex) dosage
The average cost for 5 tablets of 4mg of Dexamethasone (Maxidex) is $9.40 with a free GoodRx coupon.
Eye dropper
Eye dropper| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5ml of 0.1% | 1 eye dropper | $28.01 | $28.01 |
Typical dosage for Dexamethasone (Maxidex)
Eye inflammation
- Maxidex (dexamethasone 0.1% suspension) (children and adults): The typical dose is 1 or 2 drops into the affected eye(s) up to 4 to 6 times per day (for mild cases) or every hour (for severe cases).
- Generic dexamethasone 0.1% solution (adults only): The typical dose is 1 or 2 drops into the affected eye(s) every hour during the day and every 2 hours during the night. After your symptoms start to improve, your provider might lower your dose to 1 drop every 4 to 8 hours.
Ear inflammation
- Generic dexamethasone 0.1% solution (adults only): The typical dose is 3 or 4 drops applied into your ear 2 to 3 times per day. After your symptoms start to improve, your provider will slowly lower your dose until you can stop.
Interactions between Dexamethasone (Maxidex) and other drugs
Dexamethasone (Maxidex) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Dexamethasone (Maxidex). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Artemether
- Desmopressin
- Praziquantel
- Rilpivirine
- Rotavirus Vaccine, Live
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Abametapir
- Aceclofenac
- Acemetacin
- Aldesleukin
- Alfentanil
- Amiodarone
- Amtolmetin Guacil
- Apalutamide
- Balofloxacin
- Bemiparin
- Benzhydrocodone
- Besifloxacin
- Boceprevir
- Bromfenac
- Bufexamac
- Buprenorphine
- Bupropion
- Carbamazepine
- Celecoxib
- Ceritinib
- Cholestyramine
- Choline Salicylate
- Ciprofloxacin
- Clarithromycin
- Clonixin
- Cobicistat
- Codeine
- Conivaptan
- Daclatasvir
- Darunavir
- Desogestrel
- Dexibuprofen
- Dexketoprofen
- Diclofenac
- Dienogest
- Diflunisal
- Dihydrocodeine
- Dipyrone
- Doxorubicin
- Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome
- Dronedarone
- Drospirenone
- Droxicam
- Efavirenz
- Elvitegravir
- Enoxacin
- Enzalutamide
- Estradiol
- Ethinyl Estradiol
- Ethynodiol
- Etodolac
- Etofenamate
- Etonogestrel
- Etoricoxib
- Etravirine
- Felbinac
- Fenoprofen
- Fentanyl
- Fepradinol
- Feprazone
- Fleroxacin
- Floctafenine
- Flufenamic Acid
- Flumequine
- Flurbiprofen
- Fosamprenavir
- Fosphenytoin
- Gatifloxacin
- Gemifloxacin
- Gestodene
- Hemin
- Hydrocodone
- Ibuprofen
- Idelalisib
- Indinavir
- Indomethacin
- Itraconazole
- Ixabepilone
- Ketoconazole
- Ketoprofen
- Ketorolac
- Lapatinib
- Levofloxacin
- Levonorgestrel
- Lomefloxacin
- Lopinavir
- Lornoxicam
- Loxoprofen
- Lumacaftor
- Lumateperone
- Lumiracoxib
- Lutetium Lu 177 Dotatate
- Macimorelin
- Meclofenamate
- Medroxyprogesterone
- Mefenamic Acid
- Meloxicam
- Meperidine
- Mestranol
- Methadone
- Mitotane
- Morniflumate
- Moxifloxacin
- Nabumetone
- Nadifloxacin
- Nadroparin
- Naproxen
- Nefazodone
- Nelfinavir
- Nepafenac
- Nevirapine
- Nifedipine
- Niflumic Acid
- Nilotinib
- Nimesulide
- Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
- Nimodipine
- Nomegestrol
- Norelgestromin
- Norethindrone
- Norfloxacin
- Norgestimate
- Norgestrel
- Ofloxacin
- Oxaprozin
- Oxycodone
- Oxyphenbutazone
- Parecoxib
- Pazufloxacin
- Pefloxacin
- Pentazocine
- Phenylbutazone
- Phenytoin
- Piketoprofen
- Piperaquine
- Piroxicam
- Posaconazole
- Pranoprofen
- Proglumetacin
- Propyphenazone
- Proquazone
- Prulifloxacin
- Rifampin
- Ritonavir
- Rofecoxib
- Rufloxacin
- Salicylic Acid
- Salsalate
- Saquinavir
- Sargramostim
- Segesterone
- Sodium Salicylate
- Sparfloxacin
- St John's Wort
- Sufentanil
- Sulindac
- Sunitinib
- Tacrolimus
- Telaprevir
- Telithromycin
- Tenoxicam
- Thalidomide
- Tiaprofenic Acid
- Tolfenamic Acid
- Tolmetin
- Tosufloxacin
- Tramadol
- Ubrogepant
- Ulipristal
- Valdecoxib
- Velpatasvir
- Vincristine Sulfate Liposome
- Voriconazole
- Vortioxetine
- Voxilaprevir
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Alcuronium
- Aminoglutethimide
- Aprepitant
- Aspirin
- Atracurium
- Auranofin
- Caspofungin
- Fluindione
- Fosaprepitant
- Fosnetupitant
- Gallamine
- Hexafluorenium
- Licorice
- Metocurine
- Netupitant
- Ospemifene
- Pancuronium
- Phenobarbital
- Rifapentine
- Saiboku-To
- Vecuronium
- Warfarin
How much does Dexamethasone (Maxidex) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Dexamethasone (Maxidex) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Dexamethasone (Maxidex) will not be safe for you to take.
- Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections in the eye
- Tear in the eardrum
What are alternatives to Dexamethasone (Maxidex)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Dexamethasone (Maxidex). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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Dexamethasone (Maxidex) images
