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Dexamethasone

Dexamethasone (Decadron) is a corticosteroid that calms inflammation. This catalogue lists it as Decadron tablets on their own, and combined with an antibiotic in two eye products, Ciprodex Ophthalmic Solution and Tobradex.

Ciprodex Ophthalmic Solution

Bacterial Conjunctivitis

0.3% + 0.1% 5ml

Ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone eye drops for bacterial conjunctivitis. The steroid component means it should not be used long-term without medical supervision.

From$19.00/ vialView

Decadron

Allergic Reactions, Rheumatoid Arthritis

0.5mg · 1mg

Dexamethasone tablets for allergic reactions and rheumatoid arthritis. It suppresses the immune response at a genetic level, reducing swelling and fluid buildup.

From$0.53/ tabletView

Tobradex

Ocular Inflammation

0.1% + 0.3%

Tobramycin and dexamethasone eye drops for eye inflammation. They combine an antibiotic with a steroid to fight infection and swelling.

From$13.20/ bottleView

Key points

  • Corticosteroid effects extend beyond a single condition, covering inflammatory, allergic and hormone-replacement uses.
  • Only Decadron contains dexamethasone on its own; Ciprodex and Tobradex pair it with an antibiotic for eye conditions.
  • Longer-term use can suppress the body’s own corticosteroid production, so treatment is not usually stopped abruptly.

What Dexamethasone is used for

As Decadron tablets, dexamethasone eases Allergic Reactions and joint inflammation such as rheumatoid arthritis, working on the body’s overall inflammatory response. In Ciprodex Ophthalmic Solution it is paired with an antibiotic for Bacterial Conjunctivitis, and in Tobradex a similar pairing targets general eye inflammation.

Brands and forms in this catalogue

Decadron is the oral, single-ingredient form of dexamethasone, sold as 0.5mg and 1mg tablets from originator Merck. The two eye products pair the same corticosteroid with a partner from the Antibiotics category: Ciprodex Ophthalmic Solution adds ciprofloxacin, from originator Alcon Laboratories, and Tobradex adds tobramycin, from Alcon. Combining a steroid with an antibiotic in one product treats inflammation and infection together, rather than needing two separate eye drops.

Further reading