Drug interactions
Dexamethasone + Piroxicam
Severity: Moderate
Dexamethasone and Piroxicam: 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
Systemic dexamethasone with an NSAID increases the chance of gastric or duodenal ulcers and bleeding. The risk is higher with prolonged or high-dose steroid courses.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dexamethasone and Piroxicam 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; Piroxicam belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
NSAID-induced prostaglandin depletion combines with corticosteroid impairment of mucosal repair, giving additive GI injury.
What to do
Limit duration of both drugs and give a proton pump inhibitor to patients at higher GI risk. Monitor for GI bleeding symptoms.
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 Piroxicam
- Ketorolac intranasal + Piroxicam Contraindicated
- Ketorolac + Piroxicam Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Piroxicam Major
- Acemetacin + Piroxicam Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Piroxicam Major
- Alteplase + Piroxicam 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 Piroxicam?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Dexamethasone and Piroxicam 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. Systemic dexamethasone with an NSAID increases the chance of gastric or duodenal ulcers and bleeding. The risk is higher with prolonged or high-dose steroid courses.
How serious is the interaction between Dexamethasone and Piroxicam?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Limit duration of both drugs and give a proton pump inhibitor to patients at higher GI risk. Monitor for GI bleeding symptoms.
What other medicines interact with Piroxicam?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Piroxicam with, for example, Ketorolac intranasal, Ketorolac, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Piroxicam page.
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