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Dexamethasone sodium metasulphobenzoate vs Phenazone/lidocaine

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

Phenazone/lidocaine was dispensed 2.5× as often as Dexamethasone sodium metasulphobenzoate in March 2026 — 17,887 items versus 7,079 in England.

7,079items

Dexamethasone sodium metasulphobenzoate · March 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

17,887items

Phenazone/lidocaine · March 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

Figure 1. Dexamethasone sodium metasulphobenzoate versus Phenazone/lidocaine: national items dispensed by month

▬ Dexamethasone sodium metasulphobenzoate   ·   ╌ Phenazone/lidocaine

Phenazone/lidoca… 7,079

Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to March 2026

Dexamethasone sodium metasulphobenzoate versus Phenazone/lidocaine, March 2026
Measure Dexamethasone sodium metasulphobenzoate Phenazone/lidocaine
Items, March 2026 7,079 17,887
Items, last 12 months 63,073 162,839
Net ingredient cost, March 2026 £55,523 £160,078

See the full profile for Dexamethasone sodium metasulphobenzoate or Phenazone/lidocaine.