Drug

Dexamethasone

Approved · EMA

ClassGlucocorticoid receptor agonistEmerging researchLate-stage developmentRising momentum

Also known as 1-Dehydro-16alpha-methyl-9alpha-fluorohydrocortisone, 16alpha-Methyl-9alpha-fluoro-1-dehydrocortisol, 9alpha-Fluoro-16alpha-methylprednisolone, AK-Dex+54 more

1-Dehydro-16alpha-methyl-9alpha-fluorohydrocortisone, 16alpha-Methyl-9alpha-fluoro-1-dehydrocortisol, 9alpha-Fluoro-16alpha-methylprednisolone, AK-Dex, AK-Neo-Dex, AK-Trol, Aeroseb-Dex, Baycadron, Ciprodex, Ciprofloxacin-Dexamethasone, Dalalone, De-Sone LA, Decadron, Decadron with Xylocaine, Decadron-LA, Decaspray, DexAMETHasone Intensol, Dexacidin, Dexacine, Dexacort-LA, Dexamethasone, Ophthalmic, Dexamethasone-Neomycin-Polymyxin B, Dexasol, Dexasone, Dexasporin, Dexium, Dextenza, Dexycu, Hemady, Hexadecadrol, Hexadrol, Maxidex, Maxitrol, Methadex, Neo-Decadron, Neo-Decadron Cream, Neo-Dex, Neo-Dexair, Ocu-Dex, Ocu-Trol, Ozurdex, Poly-Dex, Tobradex, Tresaderm, Dexamethasone-Neomycin, Dexamethasone-Tobramycin, Dexametasona, Dexametasone, Dexamethazone, Dexaméthasone, dexamethason, dexamethosone, Dexacort Phosphate in Respihaler, Dexacort Phosphate in Turbinaire, Dexamethasone Acetate, Dexamethasone Acetate Anhydrous, Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate, Dexamethasonum.

RxNorm3264 ChEMBLCHEMBL384467 ATCA01AC02 ATCR01AD03 ATCS02BA06 ATCS03BA01 ATCD07AB19 ATCD10AA03 ATCS01CB01 ATCC05AA09 ATCD07XB05 ATCH02AB02 ATCS01BA01UNII7S5I7G3JQL

Research papers

Active clinical trials

Glucocorticoid receptor

Primary target

Regulatory events

Latest activity

beta

Recent clinical, regulatory, research and industry developments relating to this drug.

64407564MMY3009: A Phase 3 Randomized Study Comparing Talquetamab in Combination With Pomalidomide (Tal-P), Talquetamab in Combination With Teclistamab (Tal-Tec), and Investigator's Choice of Either Elotuzumab, Pomalidomide, and Dexamethasone (EPd) or Pom

Clinical trial2026-07-30Status changed to Active, not recruiting · ClinicalTrials.gov

Comparison of the Effects of Moderate- and High-Dose Glucocorticoid Administration on Postoperative Recovery: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Clinical trial2026-07-30Primary completion · ClinicalTrials.gov

Combination Post-transplant Consolidation Therapy With Isatuximab, Lenalidomide, Dexamethasone (IsaRD) in Multiple Myeloma Patients With Persistent Marrow Minimal Residual Disease (Elimination of MRD After Transplant; E-MAT)

Clinical trial2026-07-17Results expected Q3 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Children and Adolescents

Clinical trial2026-07-16Results expected Q4 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

An Open-label Phase I/II Trial of Venetoclax-Dexamethasone in Relapsed and/or Refractory t(11;14) Systemic Light-Chain Amyloidosis

Clinical trial2026-07-10Results expected Q3 2027 · ClinicalTrials.gov

A Phase 3 Randomized Study Comparing Teclistamab in Combination With Daratumumab SC and Lenalidomide (Tec-DR) and Talquetamab in Combination With Daratumumab SC and Lenalidomide (Tal-DR) Versus Daratumumab SC, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone (DRd) in Participants With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Who Are Either Ineligible or Not Intended for Autologous Stem Cell Transplant as Initial Therapy

Clinical trial2026-07-06Results expected Q2 2031 · ClinicalTrials.gov

Safety and Tolerability of a 3-Day Fosaprepitant Regimen for the Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting in Pediatric Patients: Results of an Open-Label, Single-Arm Phase 4 Trial.

Research2024-12-10Pediatric hematology and oncology

MiR-186-5p inhibition restores synaptic transmission and neuronal network activity in a model of chronic stress.

Research2024-09-05Molecular psychiatry

Dissecting the Mechanisms Underlying the Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) Mediated by T-Cell Bispecific Antibodies.

Research2023-11-01Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research

High prevalence of frailty in patients with adrenal adenomas and adrenocortical hormone excess: a cross-sectional multi-centre study with prospective enrolment.

Research2023-09-01European journal of endocrinology

Approval: Neofordex (EMA)

Regulatory2016-03-16EMA

Approval: Ozurdex (EMA)

Regulatory2010-07-26EMA

Profile

Identifiers & mechanism

Canonical identifiers, marketed brand names and mechanism, resolved across RxNorm, ChEMBL and ATC.

Canonical name

Dexamethasone

Aliases & brands

1-Dehydro-16alpha-methyl-9alpha-fluorohydrocortisone16alpha-Methyl-9alpha-fluoro-1-dehydrocortisol9alpha-Fluoro-16alpha-methylprednisoloneAK-DexAK-Neo-DexAK-TrolAeroseb-DexBaycadronCiprodexCiprofloxacin-DexamethasoneDalaloneDe-Sone LADecadronDecadron with XylocaineDecadron-LADecasprayDexAMETHasone IntensolDexacidinDexacineDexacort-LADexamethasone, OphthalmicDexamethasone-Neomycin-Polymyxin BDexasolDexasoneDexasporinDexiumDextenzaDexycuHemadyHexadecadrolHexadrolMaxidexMaxitrolMethadexNeo-DecadronNeo-Decadron CreamNeo-DexNeo-DexairOcu-DexOcu-TrolOzurdexPoly-DexTobradexTresadermDexamethasone-NeomycinDexamethasone-TobramycinDexametasonaDexametasoneDexamethazoneDexaméthasonedexamethasondexamethosoneDexacort Phosphate in RespihalerDexacort Phosphate in TurbinaireDexamethasone AcetateDexamethasone Acetate AnhydrousDexamethasone Sodium PhosphateDexamethasonum

RxNorm CUI

3264

ChEMBL ID

CHEMBL384467

ATC codes

A01AC02R01AD03S02BA06S03BA01D07AB19D10AA03S01CB01C05AA09D07XB05H02AB02S01BA01

UNII

7S5I7G3JQL

Primary mechanism

Glucocorticoid receptor agonist

Regulatory jurisdictions

ema

Pharmacology & targets

1 target

Known molecular targets and mechanisms supported by curated pharmacology databases.

Glucocorticoid receptor

NR3C1 · P04150

AGONISTGlucocorticoid receptor agonist

Regulatory timeline

2 events

The complete regulatory record, grouped by authority — approvals, safety advisories and label changes. Each authority shows its most recent events; expand one to read its full history.

Earliest approval

2010-07-26

Latest approval

2016-03-16

Authorities

EMA

Total events

emaEuropean Medicines Agency· 2 events

2016-03-16Approval

Approval: Neofordex (EMA)

Indication: Treatment of multiple myeloma.

Evidence ↗

2010-07-26Approval

Approval: Ozurdex (EMA)

Indication: Ozurdex is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with macular oedema following either branch retinal-vein occlusion (BRVO) or central retinal-vein occlusion (CRVO).… Show full indication

Ozurdex is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with macular oedema following either branch retinal-vein occlusion (BRVO) or central retinal-vein occlusion (CRVO). Ozurdex is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with inflammation of the posterior segment of the eye presenting as noninfectious uveitis. Ozurdex is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with visual impairment due to diabetic macular oedema (DME) who are pseudophakic or who are considered insufficiently responsive to, or unsuitable for non-corticosteroid therapy.

Evidence ↗

Contains information from the European Medicines Agency (European Medicines Agency), © EMA, reused under CC BY 4.0.

Clinical trials

192 trials

The current development programme across all trial phases — status mix, phase distribution and the late-stage studies shaping the evidence base.

Development programme

CLINICALTRIALS.GOV · LIVE REGISTRY

192

registered trials across all phases

LATEST COMPLETION 2026

Active studies

Recruiting

Late-stage (III+)

Completed

Discontinued

PHASE DISTRIBUTIONn = 192

Early Phase 12Phase 120Phase 1 / 225Phase 253Phase 2 / 35Phase 344Phase 424Phase N / A19

Late-stage studies

Phase III+ trials still open or recently active — where late-stage evidence is being generated.

Ibuprofen With or Without Dexamethasone for Acute Radicular Low Back Pain.

RecruitingPH IVMontefiore Medical Centern=1322027

Evaluation of the Omission of Dexamethasone in Premedication Regimens During Paclitaxel Treatment

RecruitingPH IVErasmus Medical Centern=5002027

Efficacy of Higher vs. Lower Doses of Dexamethasone in Patients With Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure (Including ARDS) Caused by Infections (Including COVID-19)

RecruitingPH IVHospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Doctor Negrínn=9802026

A Phase 3/4, Prospective, Randomized, Active Treatment-Controlled, Parallel-Design, Multicenter Study to Evaluate the Safety of DEXYCU for the Treatment of Inflammation Following Ocular Surgery for Childhood Cataract

RecruitingPH IVEyePoint Pharmaceuticals, Inc.n=602026

Dexamethasone for ESPB in Pain Management After Pediatric Idiopathic

CompletedPH IVPoznan University of Medical Sciencesn=602025

Recent completions

Trials that read out recently, adding to the completed evidence base.

A Phase 3 Study Comparing Daratumumab, VELCADE (Bortezomib), Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone (D-VRd) With VELCADE, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone (VRd) in Subjects With Untreated Multiple Myeloma and for Whom Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant is Not Planned as Initial Therapy

CompletedPH IIIJanssen Research & Development, LLCn=3952026

A Phase 3, Multicenter, Randomized, Open-label Study to Compare the Efficacy and Safety of bb2121 Versus Standard Regimens in Subjects With Relapsed and Refractory Multiple Myeloma (RRMM) (KarMMa-3)

CompletedPH IIICelgenen=3862026

Dexamethasone for ESPB in Pain Management After Pediatric Idiopathic

CompletedPH IVPoznan University of Medical Sciencesn=602025

Autologous Stem Cell Transplant With Pomalidomide (CC-4047®) Maintenance Versus Continuous Clarithromycin/ Pomalidomide / Dexamethasone Salvage Therapy in Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma: A Phase 2 Open-Label Randomized Study by Tristate Consortium

CompletedPH IIMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centern=232025

Comparison of the Effects of Ultrasound-Guided Cervical Retrolaminar Block and Fluoroscopy-Guided Cervical Epidural Injection in Cervical Radiculopathy

CompletedN/AIstanbul Medeniyet Universityn=702025

Efficacy of Perineural Dexamethasone to Prolong Anesthesia After Erector Spinae Plane Block for Total Hip Arthroplasty

CompletedPH IVPoznan University of Medical Sciencesn=602025

Research activity

18 papers

Key research shaping understanding of this drug, combining the latest publications with the most influential evidence.

Publications over time

20002025

Most influential

The diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome: an Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline.

The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 2008 · 1,550 cites

Elotuzumab Therapy for Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma.

The New England journal of medicine · 2015 · 1,019 cites

Lenalidomide plus dexamethasone for relapsed multiple myeloma in North America.

The New England journal of medicine · 2007 · 909 cites

European Society of Endocrinology clinical practice guidelines on the management of adrenal incidentalomas, in collaboration with the European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumors.

European journal of endocrinology · 2023 · 394 cites

Dexamethasone-induced immunosuppression: mechanisms and implications for immunotherapy.

Journal for immunotherapy of cancer · 2018 · 349 cites

Corticosteroids for pneumonia.

The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2017 · 157 cites

Related diseases

2 conditions

Regulator-approved indications and conditions co-mentioned with this drug across the research literature. Number shows shared papers.

Active research areas

Cushing's Syndrome2 Disease Models, Animal2

Related drugs

7 matches

Drugs sharing diseases, protein targets and literature with this one. Ranked by graph evidence (shared targets + diseases weighted above co-mentions).

Hydrocortisone

Acts on the same molecular target as Dexamethasone, with 8 overlapping disease areas.

Shared target8 shared diseases4 shared papers

Budesonide

Acts on the same molecular target as Dexamethasone, with an overlapping disease area.

Shared target1 shared disease1 shared paper

Prednisolone

Acts on the same molecular target as Dexamethasone, with an overlapping disease area.

Shared target1 shared disease1 shared paper

Ampicillin

Studied across the same disease area as Dexamethasone in the shared literature.

1 shared disease1 shared paper