Dexamethasone vs Hydrocortisone
National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Hydrocortisone was dispensed 2.7× as often as Dexamethasone in April 2026 — 47,277 items versus 17,803 in England.
17,803items
Dexamethasone · April 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
47,277items
Hydrocortisone · April 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
Figure 1. Dexamethasone versus Hydrocortisone: national items dispensed by month
▬ Dexamethasone · ╌ Hydrocortisone
Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to April 2026
| Measure | Dexamethasone | Hydrocortisone |
|---|---|---|
| Items, April 2026 | 17,803 | 47,277 |
| Items, last 12 months | 224,917 | 560,479 |
| Net ingredient cost, April 2026 | £104,087 | £1,210,436 |
See the full profile for Dexamethasone or Hydrocortisone.