Drug interactions
Dexamethasone + Ketoconazole
Severity: Moderate
Dexamethasone and Ketoconazole: 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
Ketoconazole can increase dexamethasone exposure and also suppress adrenal steroid synthesis. This may lead to enhanced corticosteroid effects such as hyperglycemia, fluid retention and immunosuppression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dexamethasone and Ketoconazole 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; Ketoconazole belongs to Anti Fungals.
Why it happens
Ketoconazole inhibits CYP3A4-mediated dexamethasone metabolism.
What to do
Monitor for corticosteroid excess and consider reducing the dexamethasone dose during ketoconazole therapy. Monitor glucose and blood pressure.
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 Ketoconazole
- Alfuzosin + Ketoconazole Contraindicated
- Alprazolam + Ketoconazole Contraindicated
- Avanafil + Ketoconazole Contraindicated
- Conivaptan + Ketoconazole Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Ketoconazole Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Ketoconazole Contraindicated
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 Ketoconazole?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Dexamethasone and Ketoconazole 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. Ketoconazole can increase dexamethasone exposure and also suppress adrenal steroid synthesis. This may lead to enhanced corticosteroid effects such as hyperglycemia, fluid retention and immunosuppression.
How serious is the interaction between Dexamethasone and Ketoconazole?
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 corticosteroid excess and consider reducing the dexamethasone dose during ketoconazole therapy. Monitor glucose and blood pressure.
What other medicines interact with Ketoconazole?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ketoconazole with, for example, Alfuzosin, Alprazolam, Avanafil. The full list is on the Ketoconazole page.
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