Two medicines, side by side
Dexamethasone vs fluticasone
Dexamethasone and fluticasone are both labeled for allergies, asthma and eczema (atopic dermatitis). Drugs@FDA records approvals of dexamethasone since 1958 and of fluticasone since 1990. Pharmacies paid $0.193 per dexamethasone 4 mg tablet and $0.243 per gram (Fluticasone prop 0.05% cream) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the dexamethasone FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 6, 2025); the fluticasone FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 19, 2024).
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 fluticasone record
Fluticasone (Flonase) · label of December 19, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsTemporarily relieves these symptoms of hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies: • nasal congestion • itchy nose • runny nose • itchy, watery eyes • sneezing
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 14, 1990
- Generic labelers
- 71 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.243 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 5
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Dexamethasone label of June 6, 2025, Fluticasone label of December 19, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do dexamethasone and fluticasone differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class corticosteroids.
Generics: dexamethasone since 1971; fluticasone since 2004 (Drugs@FDA).
| Dexamethasone | Fluticasone | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Allergies, Asthma, Eczema (atopic dermatitis) |
| Pharmacologic class | Corticosteroid | Corticosteroid |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 30, 1958 | December 14, 1990 |
| First generic approved | October 20, 1971 | May 14, 2004 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 60 labelers | 71 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.193 per tablet (Dexamethasone 4 mg tablet) | $0.243 per gram (Fluticasone prop 0.05% cream) |
| 12-month price change | -26% | -0.1% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | In shortage | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 8 | 5 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 304,163 | 139,949 |
| 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 next?
- Alternatives to dexamethasone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions