Dexamethasone vs Hydrocortisone
National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Dexamethasone was dispensed 17.8× as often as Hydrocortisone in March 2026 — 79,798 items versus 4,486 in England.
79,798items
Dexamethasone · March 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
4,486items
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 | 79,798 | 4,486 |
| Items, last 12 months | 1,082,328 | 25,703 |
| Net ingredient cost, March 2026 | £720,870 | £34,613 |
See the full profile for Dexamethasone or Hydrocortisone.