Why is Xasten prescribed?
Xasten is a brand of dexamethasone, a corticosteroid, similar to a natural hormone produced by your adrenal glands. It is often used to replace this chemical when your body does not make enough of it. It relieves inflammation (swelling, heat, redness, and pain) and is used to treat certain forms of arthritis; skin, blood, kidney, eye, thyroid, and intestinal disorders (e.g., colitis); severe allergies; and asthma. Dexamethasone is also used to treat certain types of cancer.This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How should Xasten be used?
Xasten comes as a tablet and a solution to take by mouth. Your doctor will prescribe a dosing schedule that is best for you. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Xasten exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Do not stop taking Xasten without talking to your doctor. Stopping the drug abruptly can cause loss of appetite, upset stomach, vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, headache, fever, joint and muscle pain, peeling skin, and weight loss. If you take large doses for a long time, your doctor probably will decrease your dose gradually to allow your body to adjust before stopping the drug completely. Watch for these side effects if you are gradually decreasing your dose and after you stop taking the tablets or oral liquid, even if you switch to an inhalation corticosteroid medication. If these problems occur, call your doctor immediately. You may need to increase your dose of tablets or liquid temporarily or start taking them again. READ : Does Xasten (Dexamethasone) Prevent pregnancy?
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking Xasten
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Xasten, aspirin, tartrazine (a yellow dye in some processed foods and drugs), or any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking especially anticoagulants (‘blood thinners’) such as warfarin (Coumadin), arthritis medications, aspirin, cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), digoxin (Lanoxin), diuretics (‘water pills’), ephedrine, estrogen (Premarin), ketoconazole (Nizoral), oral contraceptives, phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), rifampin (Rifadin), theophylline (Theo-Dur), and vitamins.
- if you have a fungal infection (other than on your skin), do not take Xasten without talking to your doctor.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver, kidney, intestinal, or heart disease; diabetes; an underactive thyroid gland; high blood pressure; mental illness; myasthenia gravis; osteoporosis; herpes eye infection; seizures; tuberculosis (TB); or ulcers.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking Xasten, call your doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Xasten.
- if you have a history of ulcers or take large doses of aspirin or other arthritis medication, limit your consumption of alcoholic beverages while taking this drug. Xasten makes your stomach and intestines more susceptible to the irritating effects of alcohol, aspirin, and certain arthritis medications: this effect increases your risk of ulcers.
Does Xasten Make One Fat?
Yes, Xasten can make you fat or gain weight. According to research published in the International Journal of Medical Sciences, about 40 million steroid prescriptions are written each year in the United States alone. But steroids like Xasten have some negative side effects, including weight gain. According to one study, weight gain was the most commonly reported adverse effect of steroid use, affecting 70 percent of those prescribed the drugs. Xasten causes weight gain by altering the body’s electrolyte and water balances, as well as its metabolism the way it uses and stores lipids, amino acids, protein, carbohydrates, and glucose, among other things. These factors contribute to weight gain by causing:
- increased appetite
- fluid retention
- changes in where the body stores fat
Many people on Xasten will notice increased fat in the abdomen, face, and neck. Even if you successfully control steroid-induced weight gain, you’re apt to look heavier while on these drugs because of this fat redistribution. Generally, the higher the dose of the steroid and the longer you’re on it, the more likely you are to encounter weight gain. Short courses of a few days to a couple of weeks don’t usually produce many side effects.
Should I Use Xasten Tablet for Weight Gain?
No, while Xasten may cause weight gain as a side effect, it is not recommended to use Xasten for weight gain purposes as it can lead to serious health complications.
Weight gain caused by Xasten is due to an increase in appetite and water retention in the body. However, the weight gain is often temporary and may disappear once the medication is stopped. It is important to note that using Xasten for weight gain purposes is not only ineffective but can also lead to several adverse effects, including:
- Increased risk of infections
- High blood sugar levels
- Increased blood pressure
- Mood changes
- Osteoporosis
In addition, an overdose of Xasten can produce life-threatening symptoms while the long-term use of the medication at high doses can lead to thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, and impotence, or loss of interest in sex.
Therefore, if you are looking to gain weight, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional who can provide guidance on safe and effective methods to achieve your weight gain goals.
SEE: What is Xasten Tablet Used for & What are the Side Effects
