Dexamethasone: Price, Dosage & Where to Buy

Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid medicine used to reduce inflammation, including in severe allergic and inflammatory conditions when other treatment has not adequately controlled symptoms. It has a wide range of specialist uses, with the formulation and route depending on the condition being treated. Dexamethasone requires a prescription in the United Kingdom, and generic versions are available.

Dexamethasone belongs to the corticosteroid group of medicines. These medicines mimic some of the effects of hormones naturally produced by the adrenal glands. They act inside cells to change the production of substances involved in inflammation, helping reduce swelling and excessive immune activity.

This can control symptoms when inflammation or an overactive immune response contributes to illness. The same immune-suppressing action can reduce the body's ability to fight infections and make some signs of infection less noticeable. Corticosteroid treatment can also suppress the body's own adrenal hormone production, which helps explain why prolonged treatment may need gradual withdrawal.

Dexamethasone is used for severe allergic and inflammatory conditions, including asthma, allergic skin conditions and inflammation affecting the eyes. The injection label also lists short-term additional treatment for flare-ups of rheumatoid arthritis, gout, bursitis and other joint or tendon inflammation. Other uses include lupus, severe skin diseases, critical periods of ulcerative colitis or regional enteritis, and acute flare-ups of multiple sclerosis.

Specialist indications include adrenal insufficiency, swelling around the brain, certain blood disorders, nephrotic syndrome and palliative management of leukaemias and lymphomas. Some infections, such as tuberculosis involving the lungs or brain coverings, are listed only alongside appropriate anti-tuberculosis treatment.

Local injections are also listed for selected inflammatory skin lesions and scars. These indications depend on the formulation and route; they do not mean that every dexamethasone product is suitable for every condition.

The label lists oral tablets in strengths of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 0.75 mg, 1 mg, 1.5 mg, 2 mg, 4 mg, 6 mg and 20 mg. The label lists oral elixir and solution at 0.5 mg/5 mL, oral concentrate at 1 mg/mL, and injection strengths including 4 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL. The label lists an initial intravenous or intramuscular injection dosage ranging from 0.50 mg/day to 9.0 mg/day, depending on the disease being treated.

Dosing requirements are individualised according to the condition and response, with monitoring and adjustment as necessary. Specialist regimens differ for brain swelling, shock and local injections. Long-term treatment is described as requiring gradual withdrawal rather than abrupt stopping.

The injection label specifies storage at 20° to 25°C, protected from light. Retain the vial in its carton until use.

Unused contents of a single-dose vial are discarded. Follow the storage directions on the packaging for other formulations.

Advice about a missed dose depends on the formulation and treatment schedule. A pharmacist or prescribing team can explain how to resume the prescribed schedule; doubling a dose to compensate is generally avoided.

For a missed injection appointment, contact the treating team. Long-term corticosteroid treatment should not be stopped abruptly.

Adequate human reproduction studies have not been done with corticosteroids. During pregnancy, breastfeeding or when pregnancy is possible, the potential benefits must be weighed against potential hazards to the mother and embryo or fetus.

Discuss treatment with a doctor or pharmacist. Babies born to mothers who received substantial corticosteroid doses during pregnancy should be observed carefully for signs of reduced adrenal gland function.