Two medicines, side by side
Dexamethasone vs diclofenac
Dexamethasone and diclofenac are both labeled for pain, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of dexamethasone since 1958 and of diclofenac since 1988. Pharmacies paid $0.193 per dexamethasone 4 mg tablet and $0.0619 per diclofenac sod DR 75 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, dexamethasone is a corticosteroid and diclofenac a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Check it at the source: the dexamethasone FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 6, 2025); the diclofenac FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 11, 2025).
Highlights of the dexamethasone record
Dexamethasone (Decadron) · label of June 6, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsAllergic States Control of severe or incapacitating allergic conditions intractable to adequate trials of conventional treatment in asthma, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, drug hypersensitivity reactions, perennial or seasonal allergic rhinitis, and serum sickness. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 30, 1958
- Generic labelers
- 60 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.193 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 8
Highlights of the diclofenac record
Diclofenac (Voltaren) · label of February 11, 2025
Used for
From the label: indications• for the temporary relief of arthritis pain ONLY in the following areas: o hand, wrist, elbow (upper body areas) o foot, ankle, knee (lower body areas) • this product may take up to 7 days to work for arthritis pain; it is not for immediate relief. If no pain relief in 7 days, stop use.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 28, 1988
- Generic labelers
- 149 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0619 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 6
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Dexamethasone label of June 6, 2025, Diclofenac label of February 11, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do dexamethasone and diclofenac differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, dexamethasone is a corticosteroid and diclofenac a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Only the diclofenac label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: dexamethasone since 1971; diclofenac since 1995 (Drugs@FDA).
| Dexamethasone | Diclofenac | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Asthma, Eczema (atopic dermatitis), Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Herpes and shingles, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, Multiple sclerosis, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Psoriasis, Allergies, Anemia, Pain | Pain, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Migraine |
| Pharmacologic class | Corticosteroid | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 30, 1958 | July 28, 1988 |
| First generic approved | October 20, 1971 | June 29, 1995 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 60 labelers | 149 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.193 per tablet (Dexamethasone 4 mg tablet) | $0.0619 per tablet (Diclofenac sod DR 75 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -26% | -25% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | In shortage | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 8 | 6 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 304,163 | 158,675 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Diclofenac label, drug interactions (prescription label)The clinical significance of this interaction is not known; however, as with other NSAIDs, concomitant administration of diclofenac and aspirin is not generally recommended because of the potential of increased adverse effects.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to dexamethasone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions