Drug interactions
Dexamethasone + Nelfinavir
Severity: Moderate
Dexamethasone and Nelfinavir: 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
Nelfinavir inhibits CYP3A4 and can raise dexamethasone concentrations, increasing the risk of steroid adverse effects such as hyperglycemia and adrenal suppression. Dexamethasone may also lower nelfinavir levels through induction.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dexamethasone and Nelfinavir 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; Nelfinavir belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Nelfinavir inhibits CYP3A4-mediated dexamethasone metabolism, while dexamethasone may induce nelfinavir metabolism.
What to do
Use the lowest effective dexamethasone dose and monitor for corticosteroid toxicity. Monitor HIV viral response during prolonged co-therapy.
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 Nelfinavir, 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 Nelfinavir
- Alfuzosin + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Avanafil + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Eletriptan + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Ergotamine + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Flibanserin + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Dexamethasone with Nelfinavir?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Dexamethasone and Nelfinavir 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. Nelfinavir inhibits CYP3A4 and can raise dexamethasone concentrations, increasing the risk of steroid adverse effects such as hyperglycemia and adrenal suppression. Dexamethasone may also lower nelfinavir levels through induction.
How serious is the interaction between Dexamethasone and Nelfinavir?
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 the lowest effective dexamethasone dose and monitor for corticosteroid toxicity. Monitor HIV viral response during prolonged co-therapy.
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.
