Drug interactions
Dexamethasone + Ifosfamide
Severity: Moderate
Dexamethasone and Ifosfamide: 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 agents suppress immune defenses, so combined use adds to the risk of infection in patients already immunocompromised by cancer. Dexamethasone is also commonly given as antiemetic support in ifosfamide regimens. Ifosfamide activation by CYP3A4 could theoretically be altered by dexamethasone induction.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dexamethasone and Ifosfamide 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; Ifosfamide belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Additive immunosuppression from corticosteroid effects and ifosfamide myelosuppression.
What to do
Monitor for signs of infection and neutrophil counts, and use antimicrobial prophylaxis according to institutional protocols. Limit steroid exposure to the lowest effective dose and duration.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Dexamethasone and Ifosfamide, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Ifosfamide
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Ifosfamide Contraindicated
- Ifosfamide + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine Contraindicated
- Ifosfamide + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live Contraindicated
- Ifosfamide + Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live Contraindicated
- Ifosfamide + Measles vaccine Contraindicated
- Ifosfamide + Rotavirus oral vaccine live Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Dexamethasone with Ifosfamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Dexamethasone and Ifosfamide 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 agents suppress immune defenses, so combined use adds to the risk of infection in patients already immunocompromised by cancer. Dexamethasone is also commonly given as antiemetic support in ifosfamide regimens. Ifosfamide activation by CYP3A4 could theoretically be altered by dexamethasone induction.
How serious is the interaction between Dexamethasone and Ifosfamide?
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 for signs of infection and neutrophil counts, and use antimicrobial prophylaxis according to institutional protocols. Limit steroid exposure to the lowest effective dose and duration.
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.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
