Drug interactions
Dexamethasone + Somatropin
Severity: Moderate
Dexamethasone and Somatropin: 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 at supraphysiologic doses can reduce the growth response to somatropin. Growth hormone can also inhibit cortisol regeneration, which may unmask adrenal insufficiency in susceptible patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dexamethasone and Somatropin 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; Somatropin belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Glucocorticoids antagonize growth hormone action, and growth hormone inhibits 11-beta-HSD-1.
What to do
Use the lowest effective dexamethasone dose and monitor growth velocity in children. Review adrenal replacement needs when starting somatropin in hypopituitarism.
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 Somatropin
- Acarbose + Somatropin Moderate
- Albiglutide + Somatropin Moderate
- Alogliptin-metformin + Somatropin Moderate
- Alogliptin-pioglitazone + Somatropin Moderate
- Alogliptin + Somatropin Moderate
- Betamethasone + Somatropin Moderate
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 Somatropin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Dexamethasone and Somatropin 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 at supraphysiologic doses can reduce the growth response to somatropin. Growth hormone can also inhibit cortisol regeneration, which may unmask adrenal insufficiency in susceptible patients.
How serious is the interaction between Dexamethasone and Somatropin?
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 growth velocity in children. Review adrenal replacement needs when starting somatropin in hypopituitarism.
What other medicines interact with Somatropin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Somatropin with, for example, Acarbose, Albiglutide, Alogliptin-metformin. The full list is on the Somatropin page.
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