Dexamethasone vs Phenazone/lidocaine
National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Dexamethasone was dispensed 4.5× as often as Phenazone/lidocaine in March 2026 — 79,798 items versus 17,887 in England.
79,798items
Dexamethasone · March 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
17,887items
Phenazone/lidocaine · March 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
Figure 1. Dexamethasone versus Phenazone/lidocaine: national items dispensed by month
▬ Dexamethasone · ╌ Phenazone/lidocaine
Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to March 2026
| Measure | Dexamethasone | Phenazone/lidocaine |
|---|---|---|
| Items, March 2026 | 79,798 | 17,887 |
| Items, last 12 months | 1,082,328 | 162,839 |
| Net ingredient cost, March 2026 | £720,870 | £160,078 |
See the full profile for Dexamethasone or Phenazone/lidocaine.