Dexamethasone vs Phenazone/lidocaine
National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Dexamethasone was dispensed 5.8× as often as Phenazone/lidocaine in April 2026 — 70,867 items versus 12,253 in England.
70,867items
Dexamethasone · April 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
12,253items
Phenazone/lidocaine · April 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 April 2026
| Measure | Dexamethasone | Phenazone/lidocaine |
|---|---|---|
| Items, April 2026 | 70,867 | 12,253 |
| Items, last 12 months | 1,062,037 | 164,189 |
| Net ingredient cost, April 2026 | £645,334 | £109,787 |
See the full profile for Dexamethasone or Phenazone/lidocaine.