Dexamethasone vs Hydrocortisone acetate
National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Dexamethasone was dispensed 27.4× as often as Hydrocortisone acetate in March 2026 — 79,798 items versus 2,914 in England.
79,798items
Dexamethasone · March 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
2,914items
Hydrocortisone acetate · March 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
Figure 1. Dexamethasone versus Hydrocortisone acetate: national items dispensed by month
▬ Dexamethasone · ╌ Hydrocortisone acetate
Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to March 2026
| Measure | Dexamethasone | Hydrocortisone acetate |
|---|---|---|
| Items, March 2026 | 79,798 | 2,914 |
| Items, last 12 months | 1,082,328 | 34,079 |
| Net ingredient cost, March 2026 | £720,870 | £102,896 |
See the full profile for Dexamethasone or Hydrocortisone acetate.