Drug interactions
Dexamethasone + Indomethacin
Severity: Moderate
Dexamethasone and Indomethacin: 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 indomethacin increases the chance of gastric ulceration and GI bleeding. The risk rises with higher doses and longer courses.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dexamethasone and Indomethacin 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; Indomethacin belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Corticosteroids impair mucosal healing while NSAIDs reduce protective prostaglandin synthesis, giving additive mucosal injury.
What to do
Give a proton pump inhibitor in patients at risk and use the shortest possible duration. 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 Indomethacin
- Indomethacin + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Indomethacin + Ketorolac intranasal Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Indomethacin Major
- Acemetacin + Indomethacin Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Indomethacin Major
- Alteplase + Indomethacin 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 Indomethacin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Dexamethasone and Indomethacin 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 indomethacin increases the chance of gastric ulceration and GI bleeding. The risk rises with higher doses and longer courses.
How serious is the interaction between Dexamethasone and Indomethacin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Give a proton pump inhibitor in patients at risk and use the shortest possible duration. Monitor for GI symptoms and bleeding.
What other medicines interact with Indomethacin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Indomethacin with, for example, Ketorolac, Ketorolac intranasal, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Indomethacin page.
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