Drug interactions
Dexamethasone + Sulindac
Severity: Moderate
Dexamethasone and Sulindac: 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
Taking a systemic corticosteroid with an NSAID increases the risk of gastric ulcers and bleeding. Fluid retention and blood pressure elevation may also be additive.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dexamethasone and Sulindac 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; Sulindac belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive gastric mucosal injury from NSAID prostaglandin inhibition and corticosteroid effects on mucosal protection and repair.
What to do
Add a proton pump inhibitor in at-risk patients and use the shortest course possible. 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 Sulindac
- Ketorolac intranasal + Sulindac Contraindicated
- Ketorolac + Sulindac Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Sulindac Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Sulindac Major
- Alteplase + Sulindac Major
- Amiloride + Sulindac 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 Sulindac?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Dexamethasone and Sulindac 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. Taking a systemic corticosteroid with an NSAID increases the risk of gastric ulcers and bleeding. Fluid retention and blood pressure elevation may also be additive.
How serious is the interaction between Dexamethasone and Sulindac?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Add a proton pump inhibitor in at-risk patients and use the shortest course possible. Monitor for GI bleeding symptoms.
What other medicines interact with Sulindac?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Sulindac with, for example, Ketorolac intranasal, Ketorolac, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Sulindac page.
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