What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Dexamethasone and ritonavir
Dexamethasone's FDA label of June 6, 2025 names ritonavir in its drug interactions section, and ritonavir's label names dexamethasone too. The ritonavir label: “Coadministration with corticosteroids whose exposures are significantly increased by strong CYP3A inhibitors can increase the risk for Cushing’s syndrome and adrenal suppression.Alternative corticosteroids including …”
Check it at the source: the dexamethasone FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 6, 2025, Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.); the ritonavir FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 23, 2026, AbbVie Inc.).
What does the dexamethasone label say about ritonavir?
Dexamethasone label, drug interactionsCo-administration with other drugs which strongly inhibit CYP 3A4 (e.g., itraconazole, clarithromycin, ritonavir, cobicistat-containing products) may lead to increased plasma concentrations of corticosteroids and potentially increase the risk for systemic 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 ritonavir label say about dexamethasone?
Ritonavir label, drug interactionsConcomitant Drug Class/Drug Name: Systemic/Inhaled/ Nasal/Ophthalmic Corticosteroids: e.g., betamethasone budesonide ciclesonide dexamethasone fluticasone methylprednisolone mometasone prednisone triamcinolone; Effect on Concentration of Ritonavir or Concomitant Drug: ↑ glucocorticoids; Clinical Comment: Coadministration with corticosteroids whose exposures are significantly increased by strong CYP3A inhibitors can increase the risk for Cushing’s syndrome and adrenal suppression.Alternative corticosteroids including beclomethasone and prednisolone (whose PK and/or PD are less affected by strong CYP3A inhibitors relative to other studied steroids) should be considered, particularly for …
Source: FDA drug label (Norvir), AbbVie Inc., effective July 23, 2026 (SPL set 2849298e-de6e-47bb-8194-56e075b33fc3), 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 | Ritonavir | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | HIV |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.193 per tablet 4 mg tablet | $0.607 per tablet 100 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | In shortage | A presentation being discontinued |
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