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Treatment for Multiple Myeloma With Dexamethasone

Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer where white blood plasma cells multiply too quickly, affecting the blood, immune system, bones and many other areas of the body. While there is no cure for multiple myeloma, there are several treatment options that can lengthen and improve the quality of life.

  1. Dexamethasone

    • Dexamethasone is a glucocorticosteroid that is used in the treatment of multiple myeloma. DEX, as it is sometimes abbreviated, can be used alone or in combination with other cancer-fighting medications.

    Action

    • Dexamethasone works by reducing swelling around tumors, altering the way the immune system responds to threats, reducing nausea associated with chemotherapy and killing certain cancer cells in a targeted fashion.

    Side Effects

    • The most common side effects of dexamethasone are changes in appetite, moodiness, insomnia, fluid retention, weakness, heartburn, slow healing of wounds and elevated blood glucose levels. Consult with your physician concerning any side effects you experience.

    Common Uses

    • Dexamethasone is sometimes used alone to treat multiple myeloma in low or high doses. Other times, it is used in combination with medications such as thalidomide, lenalidomide, bortezomib, melphalan, lenalidomide, venicristine or doxorubicin.

    Effectiveness

    • The effectiveness of dexamethasone will depend on the stage of your multiple myeloma, along with the specific type of multiple myeloma you have. Response to treatment can also be impacted by which other drugs are administered alongside dexamethasone. Consulting with your doctor may give you clues as to how they predict you will respond to treatment.

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