This NHS content is written for people in England. Medicine names, availability, prescribing and services may differ in other countries.
Dexamethasone is a type of medicine called a steroid (or corticosteroid). Steroids are copies of a hormone your body makes naturally. They're not the same as anabolic steroids.
Dexamethasone tablets and liquid are used to treat a wide range of health conditions. These include:
- severe skin conditions
- severe allergies (anaphylaxis)
- sickness (nausea and vomiting)
- croup
- swelling (inflammation) in your eye
- autoimmune conditions, such as lupus
It's used in hospitals as a treatment for severe COVID-19 and other serious infections.
It can also help reduce the side effects of cancer treatment, or some of your symptoms if you're having end of life care.
It's available on prescription only and comes as tablets, soluble tablets and as a liquid you drink. It can be given by injection but this is usually only done in hospital.
Dexamethasone also comes as eye drops and a spray to treat eye and ear infections.
View the original NHS website page ↗. Refreshed 19 August 2026.
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