Drug interactions
Dexamethasone + Flurbiprofen
Severity: Moderate
Dexamethasone and Flurbiprofen: 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 together with an NSAID such as flurbiprofen increases the likelihood of peptic ulcer disease and GI hemorrhage. The risk rises with age, prior ulcer history and longer treatment.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dexamethasone and Flurbiprofen 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; Flurbiprofen belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive gastric mucosal injury: NSAID prostaglandin suppression combined with corticosteroid impairment of mucosal healing.
What to do
Use gastroprotection with a proton pump inhibitor in high-risk patients and keep treatment courses short. Monitor for GI symptoms and 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 Flurbiprofen
- Flurbiprofen + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Flurbiprofen + Ketorolac intranasal Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Flurbiprofen Major
- Acemetacin + Flurbiprofen Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Flurbiprofen Major
- Alteplase + Flurbiprofen 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 Flurbiprofen?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Dexamethasone and Flurbiprofen 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 together with an NSAID such as flurbiprofen increases the likelihood of peptic ulcer disease and GI hemorrhage. The risk rises with age, prior ulcer history and longer treatment.
How serious is the interaction between Dexamethasone and Flurbiprofen?
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 with a proton pump inhibitor in high-risk patients and keep treatment courses short. Monitor for GI symptoms and bleeding.
What other medicines interact with Flurbiprofen?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Flurbiprofen with, for example, Ketorolac, Ketorolac intranasal, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Flurbiprofen page.
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