Dexamethasone

Chemical formula: C₂₂H₂₉FO₅  Molecular mass: 392.461 g/mol  PubChem compound: 5743

Active ingredient description

Dexamethasone is a synthetic glucocorticoid; it combines high anti-inflammatory effects with low mineralocorticoid activity. It has an approximately 7 times greater anti-inflammatory potency than prednisolone, another commonly prescribed corticosteroid. At high doses it reduces the immune response.

Medicine classification

This medicinal substance has been classified in the anatomical therapeutic chemical (ATC) classification according to its main therapeutic use as follows:

ATC code Group title Classification
A01AC02 Dexamethasone A Alimentary tract and metabolism → A01 Stomatological preparations → A01A Stomatological preparations → A01AC Corticosteroids for local oral treatment
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C05AA09 Dexamethasone C Cardiovascular system → C05 Vasoprotectives → C05A Agents for treatment of hemorrhoids and anal fissures for topical use → C05AA Corticosteroids
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D07AB19 Dexamethasone D Dermatologicals → D07 Corticosteroids, dermatological preparations → D07A Corticosteroids, plain → D07AB Corticosteroids, moderately potent (group II)
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D07XB05 Dexamethasone D Dermatologicals → D07 Corticosteroids, dermatological preparations → D07X Corticosteroids, other combinations → D07XB Corticosteroids, moderately potent, other combinations
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D10AA03 Dexamethasone D Dermatologicals → D10 Anti-acne preparations → D10A Anti-acne preparations for topical use → D10AA Corticosteroids, combinations for treatment of acne
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H02AB02 Dexamethasone H Systemic hormonal preparations, excl. Sex hormones and insulins → H02 Corticosteroids for systemic use → H02A CORTICOSTEROIDS FOR SYSTEMIC USE, PLAIN → H02AB Glucocorticoids
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R01AD03 Dexamethasone R Respiratory system → R01 Nasal preparations → R01A Decongestants and other nasal preparations for topical use → R01AD Corticosteroids
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S01BA01 Dexamethasone S Sensory organs → S01 Ophthalmologicals → S01B Antiinflammatory agents → S01BA Corticosteroids, plain
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S01CB01 Dexamethasone S Sensory organs → S01 Ophthalmologicals → S01C Antiinflammatory agents and antiinfectives in combination → S01CB Corticosteroids/antiinfectives/mydriatics in combination
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S02BA06 Dexamethasone S Sensory organs → S02 Otologicals → S02B Corticosteroids → S02BA Corticosteroids
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S03BA01 Dexamethasone S Sensory organs → S03 Ophthalmological and otological preparations → S03B Corticosteroids → S03BA Corticosteroids
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Product monographs

Competent medicine agencies globally have authorized commercialization of this active ingredient according to these medication package inserts (MPIs):

Title Information Source Document Type  
OZURDEX Intravitreal implant in applicator European Medicines Agency (EU) MPI, EU: SmPC
NEOFORDEX Tablet European Medicines Agency (EU) MPI, EU: SmPC
DROPODEX Eye drops, solution Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (GB) MPI, EU: SmPC
DEXAMETHASONE Solution for injection Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (GB) MPI, EU: SmPC

Structural formula

Graphic representation of the active ingredient's molecular structure

3D molecular structure

3D representation of the active ingredient's molecular structure

External identifiers

CAS Substance: 2265-64-7
CAS Substance: 2392-39-4
CAS Substance: 50-02-2
DrugBank Drug: DB01234
KEGG Drug: D00292
PubChem Compound: 5743
RxNorm Ingredient: 3264
SNOMED-CT Concept: 372584003
Dexamethasone (substance)
UNII Identifier: 7S5I7G3JQL
DEXAMETHASONE

Medicines

Dexamethasone is an active ingredient of these brands:

United States (US)

Albania (AL)

Australia (AU)

Austria (AT)

Brazil (BR)

Canada (CA)

Croatia (HR)

Cyprus (CY)

Ecuador (EC)

Estonia (EE)

Finland (FI)

France (FR)

Germany (DE)

  • DEXABENE as Dexamethasone disodium phosphate
  • DEXAFLAM as Dexamethasone dihydrogen phosphate disodium
  • DEXAGALEN as Dexamethasone dihydrogen phosphate disodium
  • DEXAHEXAL as Dexamethasone dihydrogen phosphate disodium
  • FORTECORTIN as Dexamethasone disodium phosphate
  • SOLUPEN SINE as Dexamethasone dihydrogen phosphate disodium

Hong Kong (HK)

Ireland (IE)

Israel (IL)

Italy (IT)

Japan (JP)

Lithuania (LT)

Malta (MT)

Mexico (MX)

Netherlands (NL)

New Zealand (NZ)

Nigeria (NG)

Poland (PL)

Romania (RO)

Singapore (SG)

South Africa (ZA)

Spain (ES)

Tunisia (TN)

Turkey (TR)

United Kingdom (UK)

Note the following: The list of brand names is continuously updated, and thus does not include the total of products circulating worldwide.

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