Dexamethasone

Chemical formula: C₂₂H₂₉FO₅  Molecular mass: 392.461 g/mol  PubChem compound: 5743

Active ingredient description

Dexamethasone is a synthetic glucocorticoid; it combines high anti-inflammatory effects with low mineralocorticoid activity. It has an approximately 7 times greater anti-inflammatory potency than prednisolone, another commonly prescribed corticosteroid. At high doses it reduces the immune response.

Medicine classification

This medicinal substance has been classified in the anatomical therapeutic chemical (ATC) classification according to its main therapeutic use as follows:

ATC code Group title Classification
A01AC02 Dexamethasone A Alimentary tract and metabolism → A01 Stomatological preparations → A01A Stomatological preparations → A01AC Corticosteroids for local oral treatment
Discover more medicines within A01AC02
C05AA09 Dexamethasone C Cardiovascular system → C05 Vasoprotectives → C05A Agents for treatment of hemorrhoids and anal fissures for topical use → C05AA Corticosteroids
Discover more medicines within C05AA09
D07AB19 Dexamethasone D Dermatologicals → D07 Corticosteroids, dermatological preparations → D07A Corticosteroids, plain → D07AB Corticosteroids, moderately potent (group II)
Discover more medicines within D07AB19
D07XB05 Dexamethasone D Dermatologicals → D07 Corticosteroids, dermatological preparations → D07X Corticosteroids, other combinations → D07XB Corticosteroids, moderately potent, other combinations
Discover more medicines within D07XB05
D10AA03 Dexamethasone D Dermatologicals → D10 Anti-acne preparations → D10A Anti-acne preparations for topical use → D10AA Corticosteroids, combinations for treatment of acne
Discover more medicines within D10AA03
H02AB02 Dexamethasone H Systemic hormonal preparations, excl. Sex hormones and insulins → H02 Corticosteroids for systemic use → H02A CORTICOSTEROIDS FOR SYSTEMIC USE, PLAIN → H02AB Glucocorticoids
Discover more medicines within H02AB02
R01AD03 Dexamethasone R Respiratory system → R01 Nasal preparations → R01A Decongestants and other nasal preparations for topical use → R01AD Corticosteroids
Discover more medicines within R01AD03
S01BA01 Dexamethasone S Sensory organs → S01 Ophthalmologicals → S01B Antiinflammatory agents → S01BA Corticosteroids, plain
Discover more medicines within S01BA01
S01CB01 Dexamethasone S Sensory organs → S01 Ophthalmologicals → S01C Antiinflammatory agents and antiinfectives in combination → S01CB Corticosteroids/antiinfectives/mydriatics in combination
Discover more medicines within S01CB01
S02BA06 Dexamethasone S Sensory organs → S02 Otologicals → S02B Corticosteroids → S02BA Corticosteroids
Discover more medicines within S02BA06
S03BA01 Dexamethasone S Sensory organs → S03 Ophthalmological and otological preparations → S03B Corticosteroids → S03BA Corticosteroids
Discover more medicines within S03BA01

Product monographs

Competent medicine agencies globally have authorized commercialization of this active ingredient according to these medication package inserts (MPIs):

Title Information Source Document Type  
DROPODEX Eye drops, solution Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (GB) MPI, EU: SmPC
DEXAMETHASONE Solution for injection Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (GB) MPI, EU: SmPC
NEOFORDEX Tablet European Medicines Agency (EU) MPI, EU: SmPC
OZURDEX Intravitreal implant in applicator European Medicines Agency (EU) MPI, EU: SmPC

Structural formula

Graphic representation of the active ingredient's molecular structure

3D molecular structure

3D representation of the active ingredient's molecular structure

External identifiers

CAS Substance: 2265-64-7
CAS Substance: 2392-39-4
CAS Substance: 50-02-2
DrugBank Drug: DB01234
KEGG Drug: D00292
PubChem Compound: 5743
RxNorm Ingredient: 3264
SNOMED-CT Concept: 372584003
Dexamethasone (substance)
UNII Identifier: 7S5I7G3JQL
DEXAMETHASONE

Medicines

Dexamethasone is an active ingredient of these brands:

United States (US)

Albania (AL)

Australia (AU)

Austria (AT)

Brazil (BR)

Canada (CA)

Croatia (HR)

Cyprus (CY)

Ecuador (EC)

Estonia (EE)

Finland (FI)

France (FR)

Germany (DE)

  • DEXABENE as Dexamethasone disodium phosphate
  • DEXAFLAM as Dexamethasone dihydrogen phosphate disodium
  • DEXAGALEN as Dexamethasone dihydrogen phosphate disodium
  • DEXAHEXAL as Dexamethasone dihydrogen phosphate disodium
  • FORTECORTIN as Dexamethasone disodium phosphate
  • SOLUPEN SINE as Dexamethasone dihydrogen phosphate disodium

Hong Kong (HK)

Ireland (IE)

Israel (IL)

Italy (IT)

Japan (JP)

Lithuania (LT)

Malta (MT)

Mexico (MX)

Netherlands (NL)

New Zealand (NZ)

Nigeria (NG)

Poland (PL)

Romania (RO)

Singapore (SG)

South Africa (ZA)

Spain (ES)

Tunisia (TN)

Turkey (TR)

United Kingdom (UK)

Note the following: The list of brand names is continuously updated, and thus does not include the total of products circulating worldwide.

© All content on this website, including data entry, data processing, decision support tools, "RxReasoner" logo and graphics, is the intellectual property of RxReasoner and is protected by copyright laws. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution of any part of this content without explicit written permission from RxReasoner is strictly prohibited. Any third-party content used on this site is acknowledged and utilized under fair use principles.