Dexamethasone vs Hydrocortisone
National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Hydrocortisone was dispensed 2.4× as often as Dexamethasone in March 2026 — 48,329 items versus 20,080 in England.
20,080items
Dexamethasone · March 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
48,329items
Hydrocortisone · March 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
Figure 1. Dexamethasone versus Hydrocortisone: national items dispensed by month
▬ Dexamethasone · ╌ Hydrocortisone
Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to March 2026
| Measure | Dexamethasone | Hydrocortisone |
|---|---|---|
| Items, March 2026 | 20,080 | 48,329 |
| Items, last 12 months | 228,590 | 557,750 |
| Net ingredient cost, March 2026 | £114,028 | £1,167,229 |
See the full profile for Dexamethasone or Hydrocortisone.