Drug interactions
Acetylsalicylic acid + Dexamethasone
Severity: Moderate
Acetylsalicylic acid and Dexamethasone: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Combining dexamethasone with aspirin increases the risk of gastric ulceration and bleeding, especially with prolonged or high-dose use. Dexamethasone may also lower salicylate concentrations, which can rise again when it is withdrawn.
What this interaction means in plain words
Acetylsalicylic acid and Dexamethasone can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Acetylsalicylic acid belongs to Musculoskeletal; Dexamethasone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Additive gastric mucosal injury, and corticosteroids may increase salicylate clearance.
What to do
Use gastroprotection such as a proton pump inhibitor in patients with prolonged combined use or other GI risk factors. Monitor for GI bleeding and for salicylate toxicity after steroid withdrawal.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Acetylsalicylic acid
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Ketorolac intranasal Contraindicated
- Abciximab + Acetylsalicylic acid Major
- Acemetacin + Acetylsalicylic acid Major
- Acetazolamide + Acetylsalicylic acid Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Alteplase Major
Other interactions of Dexamethasone
- Bcg vaccine live + Dexamethasone Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Varicella virus vaccine live Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Yellow fever vaccine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Acetylsalicylic acid with Dexamethasone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Acetylsalicylic acid and Dexamethasone can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Combining dexamethasone with aspirin increases the risk of gastric ulceration and bleeding, especially with prolonged or high-dose use. Dexamethasone may also lower salicylate concentrations, which can rise again when it is withdrawn.
How serious is the interaction between Acetylsalicylic acid and Dexamethasone?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use gastroprotection such as a proton pump inhibitor in patients with prolonged combined use or other GI risk factors. Monitor for GI bleeding and for salicylate toxicity after steroid withdrawal.
What other medicines interact with Acetylsalicylic acid?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Acetylsalicylic acid with, for example, Ketorolac, Ketorolac intranasal, Abciximab. The full list is on the Acetylsalicylic acid page.
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