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PharmaInsight

Dexamethasone phosphate vs Hydrocortisone

National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Data updated March 2026

Hydrocortisone was dispensed 31.4× as often as Dexamethasone phosphate in March 2026 — 48,329 items versus 1,541 in England.

1,541items

Dexamethasone phosphate · March 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

48,329items

Hydrocortisone · March 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

Figure 1. Dexamethasone phosphate versus Hydrocortisone: national items dispensed by month

▬ Dexamethasone phosphate   ·   ╌ Hydrocortisone

Hydrocortisone 1,541

Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to March 2026

Dexamethasone phosphate versus Hydrocortisone, March 2026
Measure Dexamethasone phosphate Hydrocortisone
Items, March 2026 1,541 48,329
Items, last 12 months 17,392 557,750
Net ingredient cost, March 2026 £21,169 £1,167,229

See the full profile for Dexamethasone phosphate or Hydrocortisone.