Drug interactions
Dexamethasone + Etoposide
Severity: Minor
Dexamethasone and Etoposide: minor 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 is a weak-to-moderate CYP3A4 inducer and etoposide is partly cleared by CYP3A4. Exposure to etoposide may be modestly reduced, although in practice the two are often given together in regimens without evident loss of effect.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dexamethasone and Etoposide have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Dexamethasone belongs to Endocrine; Etoposide belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Dexamethasone induces CYP3A4, which may modestly increase the metabolism of etoposide.
What to do
No routine dose change is needed; monitor treatment response and hematologic toxicity during combined chemotherapy regimens.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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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
Other interactions of Etoposide
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Etoposide Contraindicated
- Etoposide + Pentostatin Contraindicated
- Cyclosporin + Etoposide Major
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Etoposide Major
- Etoposide + Fingolimod Major
- Etoposide + Fosphenytoin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Dexamethasone with Etoposide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Dexamethasone and Etoposide have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Dexamethasone is a weak-to-moderate CYP3A4 inducer and etoposide is partly cleared by CYP3A4. Exposure to etoposide may be modestly reduced, although in practice the two are often given together in regimens without evident loss of effect.
How serious is the interaction between Dexamethasone and Etoposide?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: No routine dose change is needed; monitor treatment response and hematologic toxicity during combined chemotherapy regimens.
What other medicines interact with Dexamethasone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Dexamethasone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Mifepristone, Rilpivirine. The full list is on the Dexamethasone page.
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