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Short answer If you miss a dose of dexamethasone injection: what to do Common questions Related questions SourcesContact the clinic or prescriber as soon as you notice a missed dexamethasone injection, and do not take a double dose to catch up.
Most dexamethasone injections are given by a nurse or doctor, so a missed dose is usually a missed appointment that can be rescheduled quickly. How much it matters depends on why you are getting it: a single dose before chemotherapy or for a flare is easier to shift than a standing dose you have been on for weeks. If you have taken steroids daily for more than about three weeks, stopping abruptly can leave your body short on cortisol and cause tiredness, weakness, nausea, dizziness, or aching. Keep the injection schedule written down with the date and time of each dose so gaps are easy to spot. Carry a steroid card or a note on your phone listing the drug and dose in case you are seen somewhere else.
If you miss a dose of dexamethasone injection: what to do
Common questions
What happens if you miss a dose of Dexamethasone Injection?
Dexamethasone injection is almost always given by a nurse or doctor, so a missed dose usually means a missed appointment. Call the clinic the same day and ask when to reschedule; do not double the next dose to catch up. If you inject at home on a set schedule, follow the written instructions you were given, which usually means giving it as soon as you remember unless the next dose is near. Missed doses matter most if you have been on steroids for more than a few weeks, because stopping suddenly can cause tiredness, weakness, nausea, dizziness, or body aches from low cortisol. Report those symptoms to your prescriber right away.