Drug interactions
Dexamethasone + Tolfenamic acid
Severity: Moderate
Dexamethasone and Tolfenamic acid: 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
Both corticosteroids and NSAIDs injure the gastrointestinal mucosa, and combined use raises the risk of ulcers and bleeding. Risk increases with age, higher doses and longer treatment.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dexamethasone and Tolfenamic acid 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; Tolfenamic acid belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive gastric mucosal injury from NSAID prostaglandin inhibition and corticosteroid effects.
What to do
Use the lowest doses for the shortest period and add a proton pump inhibitor in high-risk patients. 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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Dexamethasone and Tolfenamic acid, 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 Tolfenamic acid
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Dexamethasone with Tolfenamic acid?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Dexamethasone and Tolfenamic acid 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. Both corticosteroids and NSAIDs injure the gastrointestinal mucosa, and combined use raises the risk of ulcers and bleeding. Risk increases with age, higher doses and longer treatment.
How serious is the interaction between Dexamethasone and Tolfenamic acid?
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 doses for the shortest period and add a proton pump inhibitor in high-risk patients. Monitor for GI bleeding symptoms.
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.
