dexamethasone
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.
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What are the side effects of Dexamethasone (Maxidex)?
Common Side Effects
- Eye discomfort (10%)
- Eye irritation (1%)
Other Side Effects
- Dry eye
- Blurred vision
- Itchy eye
- Feeling like something is in your eye
- Sensitivity to light
- Eye infection
Serious Side Effects
- Severe allergic reaction: hives; trouble breathing; swelling in the face, tongue, or throat
Source: DailyMed
The following 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.
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.
Frequently asked questions about Dexamethasone (Maxidex)
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What are the 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 forms
| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5ml of 0.1% | 1 eye dropper | $27.99 | $27.99 |
Typical dosing 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
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. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
How much does Dexamethasone (Maxidex) cost?
Dexamethasone (Maxidex) contraindications
Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections in the eye
Tear in the eardrum
What are alternatives to Dexamethasone (Maxidex)?
Eye inflammation - all formulations of dexamethasone 0.1% drops
Ear inflammation - generic dexamethasone 0.1% solution only
Eye injury
Swelling or allergies in the eye
Eye inflammation and pain from eye surgery
What is the latest news about Dexamethasone (Maxidex)?
Dexamethasone (Maxidex) images
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References
Best studies we foundAlcon Laboratories, Inc. (2023). Maxidex- dexamethasone suspension [package insert]. DailyMed.
Bausch & Lomb Incorporated. (2022). Dexamethasone sodium phosphate solution/ drops [package insert]. DailyMed.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Basics of HSV (herpes simplex virus) keratitis.
Hashimoto, Y., et al. (2020). Ophthalmic corticosteroids in pregnant women with allergic conjunctivitis and adverse neonatal outcomes: Propensity score analyses. American Journal of Ophthalmology.
Institute for Safe Medication Practices. (2022). Prevent administration of ear drops into the eyes.
SafeMedication. (n.d.). How to use ear drops.
SafeMedication. (n.d.). How to use eye drops.
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