Drug interactions
Dexamethasone + Hydrochlorothiazide
Severity: Moderate
Dexamethasone and Hydrochlorothiazide: 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
Both drugs promote potassium loss, so combined use raises the risk of hypokalemia, which may provoke arrhythmias or muscle weakness. Dexamethasone may also raise blood glucose.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dexamethasone and Hydrochlorothiazide 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; Hydrochlorothiazide belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive renal potassium wasting from thiazide-induced kaliuresis and glucocorticoid mineralocorticoid-related effects.
What to do
Monitor serum potassium and magnesium and replace as needed, particularly with prolonged or high-dose steroid courses or when on digoxin.
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 Hydrochlorothiazide
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 Hydrochlorothiazide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Dexamethasone and Hydrochlorothiazide 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. Both drugs promote potassium loss, so combined use raises the risk of hypokalemia, which may provoke arrhythmias or muscle weakness. Dexamethasone may also raise blood glucose.
How serious is the interaction between Dexamethasone and Hydrochlorothiazide?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor serum potassium and magnesium and replace as needed, particularly with prolonged or high-dose steroid courses or when on digoxin.
What other medicines interact with Hydrochlorothiazide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydrochlorothiazide with, for example, Dofetilide, Amifostine, Amiodarone. The full list is on the Hydrochlorothiazide page.
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