What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Dexamethasone and ketoconazole
Dexamethasone's FDA label of June 6, 2025 names ketoconazole in its drug interactions section; the ketoconazole label PlainMeds reads does not name dexamethasone. The dexamethasone label: “Ketoconazole, a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, has been reported to decrease the metabolism of certain corticosteroids by up to 60%, leading to increased risk of corticosteroid side effects.”
Check it at the source: the dexamethasone FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 6, 2025, Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.); the ketoconazole FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 28, 2026, E. Fougera & Co. a division of Fougera Pharmaceuticals, LLC).
What does the dexamethasone label say about ketoconazole?
Dexamethasone label, drug interactionsKetoconazole, a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, has been reported to decrease the metabolism of certain corticosteroids by up to 60%, leading to increased risk of corticosteroid side effects.
Source: FDA drug label (Dexamethasone Intensol), Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc., effective June 6, 2025 (SPL set b15200fb-1826-472b-a907-e677a272513b), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the ketoconazole label say about dexamethasone?
Ketoconazole's label (effective January 28, 2026) does not name dexamethasone in these sections. A label lists what its studies and reports found; it is not a complete list.
Source: FDA drug label (ketoconazole), E. Fougera & Co. a division of Fougera Pharmaceuticals, LLC, effective January 28, 2026 (SPL set cad7c647-34a9-4e4e-83b3-8d78e58f588f), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Dexamethasone | Ketoconazole | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fungal infections |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.193 per tablet 4 mg tablet | $0.249 per gram 2% cream |
| Shortage now | In shortage | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once