Dexamethasone vs Hydrocortisone
National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Hydrocortisone was dispensed 2.7× as often as Dexamethasone in May 2026 — 46,354 items versus 17,433 in England.
17,433items
Dexamethasone · May 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
46,354items
Hydrocortisone · May 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
Figure 1. Dexamethasone versus Hydrocortisone: national items dispensed by month
▬ Dexamethasone · ╌ Hydrocortisone
Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to May 2026
| Measure | Dexamethasone | Hydrocortisone |
|---|---|---|
| Items, May 2026 | 17,433 | 46,354 |
| Items, last 12 months | 228,773 | 560,262 |
| Net ingredient cost, May 2026 | £100,163 | £1,190,537 |
See the full profile for Dexamethasone or Hydrocortisone.