Dexamethasone (Decadron®)
Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid, similar to a hormone that is made naturally in your body. Corticosteroids (sometimes called "steroids") are used to decrease inflammation (swelling and/or redness) and are used in a number of diseases, including asthma, autoimmune disorders, reactions to medications, and gastrointestinal (GI) disorders (such as colitis), among others.
In cancer care, dexamethasone may be given to prevent a reaction to a medication, to prevent or decrease nausea and/or vomiting, or used in high doses to treat certain cancers.