Two medicines, side by side
Dexamethasone vs indomethacin
Dexamethasone and indomethacin are both labeled for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of dexamethasone since 1958 and of indomethacin since 1965. Pharmacies paid $0.193 per dexamethasone 4 mg tablet and $0.210 per indomethacin ER 75 mg capsule (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 indomethacin a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Check it at the source: the dexamethasone FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 6, 2025); the indomethacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 19, 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 indomethacin record
Indomethacin (Indocin) · label of December 19, 2025
RISK OF SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR AND GASTROINTESTINAL EVENTS WARNING: RISK OF SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR AND GASTROINTESTINAL EVENTS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, which can be fatal.
Used for
From the label: indicationsIndomethacin capsules are indicated for: • Moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis including acute flares of chronic disease • Moderate to severe ankylosing spondylitis • Moderate to severe osteoarthritis • Acute painful shoulder (bursitis and/or tendinitis) • Acute gouty arthritis Indomethacin capsules are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug indicated for: • Moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis including acute […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 10, 1965
- Generic labelers
- 31 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.210 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 9
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Dexamethasone label of June 6, 2025, Indomethacin label of December 19, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do dexamethasone and indomethacin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, dexamethasone is a corticosteroid and indomethacin a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Only the indomethacin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: dexamethasone since 1971; indomethacin since 1985 (Drugs@FDA).
| Dexamethasone | Indomethacin | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoarthritis |
| Pharmacologic class | Corticosteroid | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Indomethacin has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties. The mechanism of action of indomethacin capsules, like that of other NSAIDs, is not completely understood but involves inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and … |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | The mean half-life of indomethacin is estimated to be about 4.5 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 30, 1958 | June 10, 1965 |
| First generic approved | October 20, 1971 | September 4, 1985 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 60 labelers | 31 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.193 per tablet (Dexamethasone 4 mg tablet) | $0.210 per capsule (Indomethacin ER 75 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -26% | -1% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | In shortage | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 8 | 9 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 304,163 | 13,174 |
| 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)
Do their labels mention each other?
Dexamethasone label, drug interactionsDexamethasone suppression test (DST): False-negative results in the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) in patients being treated with indomethacin have been reported.
Indomethacin label, drug interactionsFalse-negative results in the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) in patients being treated with indomethacin have been reported.
Indomethacin label, drug interactionsDrug/Laboratory Test Interactions False-negative results in the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) in patients being treated with indomethacin have been reported.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Indomethacin label, drug interactionsConcomitant use of indomethacin with other NSAIDs or salicylates (e.g., diflunisal, salsalate) increases the risk of GI toxicity, with little or no increase in efficacy [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) ].
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to dexamethasone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions