What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Dexamethasone and itraconazole
Dexamethasone's FDA label of June 6, 2025 names itraconazole in its drug interactions section, and itraconazole's label names dexamethasone too. The itraconazole label: “Concomitant Drug Within Class: Budesonide (inhalation) Budesonide (noninhalation) Ciclesonide (inhalation) Cyclosporine (IV) Cyclosporine (non-IV) Dexamethasone; …”
Check it at the source: the dexamethasone FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 6, 2025, Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.); the itraconazole FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 13, 2026, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.).
What does the dexamethasone label say about itraconazole?
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 itraconazole label say about dexamethasone?
Itraconazole label, drug interactionsExamples of Concomitant Drugs Within Class: Budesonide (inhalation) Budesonide (non-inhalation) Ciclesonide (inhalation) Cyclosporine (IV) Cyclosporine (non-IV) Dexamethasone; Prevention or Management: Fluticasone (inhalation) Fluticasone (nasal) Methylprednisolone Tacrolimus (IV) Tacrolimus (oral); Monitor for adverse reactions. Concomitant drug dose reduction may be necessary.
Source: FDA drug label (Tolsura, NDA208901), Mayne Pharma Commercial LLC, effective April 23, 2025 (SPL set 306352d1-9d5a-49ad-b72d-893b99546861), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (SPORANOX), Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., effective July 13, 2026 (SPL set a4d555fa-787c-40fb-bb7d-b0d4f7318fd0), 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 | Itraconazole | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.193 per tablet 4 mg tablet | $0.910 per capsule 100 mg capsule |
| 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