Drug interactions
Dexamethasone + Diflunisal
Severity: Moderate
Dexamethasone and Diflunisal: 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
Dexamethasone given with an NSAID increases the chance of gastric ulceration and GI bleeding. The risk is greatest in older patients and with prolonged or high-dose therapy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dexamethasone and Diflunisal 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.
Dexamethasone belongs to Endocrine; Diflunisal belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive gastric mucosal injury from NSAID prostaglandin inhibition and corticosteroid effects on mucosal repair.
What to do
Limit the duration of coadministration and consider a proton pump inhibitor for gastroprotection. Monitor for signs of GI bleeding.
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 Diflunisal
- Diflunisal + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Diflunisal + Ketorolac intranasal Contraindicated
- Acemetacin + Diflunisal Major
- Acetazolamide + Diflunisal Major
- Alteplase + Diflunisal Major
- Amiloride + Diflunisal 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 Dexamethasone with Diflunisal?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Dexamethasone and Diflunisal 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. Dexamethasone given with an NSAID increases the chance of gastric ulceration and GI bleeding. The risk is greatest in older patients and with prolonged or high-dose therapy.
How serious is the interaction between Dexamethasone and Diflunisal?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Limit the duration of coadministration and consider a proton pump inhibitor for gastroprotection. Monitor for signs of GI bleeding.
What other medicines interact with Diflunisal?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Diflunisal with, for example, Ketorolac, Ketorolac intranasal, Acemetacin. The full list is on the Diflunisal page.
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