Active ingredient · pooled across combinations
Dexamethasone: adverse event reports, pooled
23 ingredient sets in reports · 22 FDA-approved applications in the Green Book
Dexamethasone appears, alone or combined with other ingredients, in 4,981 reports in FDA's animal adverse event database (January 1987 to March 2026). The figures here pool all 23 ingredient sets that include it.
The Green Book lists 22 FDA-approved applications containing it. openFDA masks brand and manufacturer names in adverse event records, so the reports counted here cannot be attributed to a particular brand.
497 reports arrived in the 12 months to March 2026, up 21% from 411 in the 12 months before. FDA posts reports quarterly with a delay of three to six months, so the newest months are incomplete and usually grow in later releases. That is about 127 reports a year over its reporting history and 0.4% of all reports.
Pooled across every set, the terms listed most often are lethargy (20.8%), vomiting (19.9%) and anorexia (8.6%). Many drugs combine several ingredients, and many reports list several drugs, so a term on this page may relate to any of them or to none.
Of reports that state seriousness, 57.4% were classed as serious (38.6% across the whole database); 16% record a death or euthanasia (6.4% overall). Ingredients used in older or sicker animals, or in anaesthesia and cancer care, carry higher shares for that reason alone.
Ingredient sets that include dexamethasone
| Active ingredients recorded for the drug | Reports | Share of this page's reports | Latest 12 months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dexamethasone | 2,932 | 58.9% | 304 |
| Dexamethasone + Neomycin Sulfate + Thiabendazole | 1,088 | 21.8% | 162 |
| Dexamethasone + Thiabendazole | 900 | 18.1% | 20 |
| Dexamethasone + Neomycin Sulfate + Polymyxin B Sulfate | 30 | 0.6% | 5 |
| Dexamethasone + Enrofloxacin | 9 | 0.2% | 0 |
| Dexamethasone + Penicillin G Procaine | 7 | 0.1% | 0 |
| Dexamethasone + Trichlormethiazide | 6 | 0.1% | 0 |
| Dexamethasone + Neomycin Sulfate | 5 | 0.1% | 0 |
| Bacitracin + Dexamethasone | 4 | 0.1% | 0 |
| Clotrimazole + Dexamethasone | 4 | 0.1% | 2 |
| Dexamethasone + Ketoconazole | 3 | 0.1% | 1 |
| Dexamethasone + Polymyxin B Sulfate | 3 | 0.1% | 0 |
| Buprenorphine + Dexamethasone + Ketamine Hydrochloride | 2 | 0% | 2 |
| Clotrimazole + Dexamethasone + Marbofloxacin | 1 | 0% | 0 |
| Dexamethasone + Penicillin G Benzathine | 1 | 0% | 0 |
| Dexamethasone + Hydrocortisone | 1 | 0% | 0 |
| Dexamethasone + Enrofloxacin + Ketoconazole | 1 | 0% | 0 |
| Butorphanol Tartrate + Dexamethasone + Ketamine Hydrochloride | 1 | 0% | 0 |
| Dexamethasone + Prednisolone | 1 | 0% | 0 |
| Ciprofloxacin + Dexamethasone | 1 | 0% | 0 |
| Dexamethasone + Triamcinolone | 1 | 0% | 1 |
| Dexamethasone + Ivermectin + Neomycin Sulfate + Thiabendazole | 1 | 0% | 1 |
| Bacitracin + Dexamethasone + Polymyxin B Sulfate | 1 | 0% | 1 |
Ordered by report count. FDA states that these data "cannot be used to estimate the risk associated with the product or compare one drug or device product with another"; counts follow sales volume and years on the market. A report can list more than one set, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Signs listed in reports, pooled
share of dexamethasone reports listing the termall reports in the database
- Lethargy[unusually tired or inactive]20.8%1,038
- Vomiting19.9%993
- Anorexia[not eating]8.6%428
- Diarrhoea[diarrhea]8.3%414
- Death8.3%411
- Death by euthanasia[the animal was euthanized]7.3%362
- Other abnormal test result NOS[abnormal laboratory result, type not specified]6.9%342
- Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT)[a liver enzyme above the normal range]6.5%325
- Anaphylaxis[sudden severe allergic-type reaction]6%300
- Fever5.9%295
- Lack of efficacy - NOS[the product did not have the expected effect]5.8%291
- Not eating5.8%287
- Ataxia[unsteady, uncoordinated movement]5.7%286
- Weight loss5%250
- Facial swelling4.6%230
- Pale mucous membrane[pale gums]4.6%229
- Leucocytosis NOS[high white blood cell count]4.4%219
- Anaemia NOS[low red blood cell count]4.3%216
- Decreased appetite4.2%211
- Seizure NOS[seizure, type not specified]4.2%211
- Panting4.2%208
- Behavioural disorder NOS[behaviour change, type not specified]3.8%190
- Abnormal radiograph finding3.8%189
- Emesis[vomiting]3.8%187
- Neutrophilia[high neutrophil count]3.6%179
- Accidental exposure[exposure that was not intended]3.5%176
- Hives3.3%165
- Dehydration3.3%164
- Elevated serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP)[a liver and bone enzyme above the normal range]3.3%162
- Elevated total bilirubin[bilirubin above the normal range]3.2%160
Pooled across every ingredient set and every report that names the ingredient. One report can list several terms and several drugs; a term here may relate to any of them or to none.
Monthly reports by species, five years
By month of receipt; each panel has its own scale. The newest months are incomplete because FDA posts reports with a delay of three to six months.
Outcomes, report types and ages
Outcome recorded in the report
What kind of report it was
Age of the animal
Coloured bar: reports naming dexamethasone. Grey bar: all 1,357,245 reports. Outcomes are as stated by the reporter; FDA has not necessarily determined whether any product played a part.
In context
| Measure | Dexamethasone | All reports |
|---|---|---|
| Reports | 4,981 | 1,357,245 |
| Latest 12 months against the 12 before | +21% | -5% |
| Classed serious, of reports stating it | 57.4% | 38.6% |
| Death or euthanasia recorded, per 1,000 reports | 160.4 | 63.8 |
| Filed as lack of expected effectiveness (wholly or partly) | 8.5% | 23% |
Shares of reports, not of animals treated: how many animals receive the ingredient is not public. Ingredients used in anaesthesia, cancer care or in old animals carry more serious outcomes in their reports for that reason alone.
FDA-approved products containing dexamethasone (Green Book)
Reference information, not report statistics. openFDA masks brand and manufacturer names in adverse event records, so the reports counted here cannot be attributed to a particular brand. The list below is the FDA Green Book as of 1 Oct 2026; nothing on this page says which of these products, if any, a report concerned.
| Trade name | Active ingredients | Sponsor | Approved for | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azium Tablets 0.25 mg | Dexamethasone | Intervet, Inc. | Dogs, Cats | NADA 011-885 |
| Azium Aqueous Suspension Veterinary | Dexamethasone | Intervet, Inc. | Dogs, Cats, Horses, Cattle | NADA 011-901 |
| Azium Solution | Dexamethasone | Intervet, Inc. | Dogs, Cats, Horses, Cattle | NADA 012-559 |
| Naquasone Bolus | Dexamethasone, Trichlormethiazide | Intervet, Inc. | Cattle | NADA 030-136 |
| Azium Powder | Dexamethasone | Intervet, Inc. | Horses, Cattle | NADA 030-434 |
| Azium Boluses 10 mg | Dexamethasone | Intervet, Inc. | Horses, Cattle | NADA 030-435 |
| Tresaderm Dermatologic Solution | Dexamethasone, Neomycin Sulfate, Thiabendazole | Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA, Inc. | Dogs, Cats | NADA 042-633 |
| Azium Oral Solution 2 mg | Dexamethasone | Intervet, Inc. | Dogs, Cats, Horses, Cattle | NADA 092-835 |
| Dexium Tablets | Dexamethasone | Bimeda Animal Health Ltd. | Dogs, Cats | NADA 095-218 |
| Dexameth-A-Vet Injection | Dexamethasone | Bimeda Animal Health Ltd. | Dogs | NADA 099-606 |
| Dexameth-A-Vet | Dexamethasone | Bimeda Animal Health Ltd. | Horses | NADA 099-607 |
| Pet Derm III Tablets | Dexamethasone | Kinetic Technologies, LLC | Dogs | NADA 108-687 |
| Dexamethasone Sterile Solution | Dexamethasone | Kinetic Technologies, LLC | Dogs, Cats, Horses | NADA 111-369 |
| Zonometh Solution | Dexamethasone | Huvepharma EOOD | Dogs, Cats, Horses | NADA 128-089 |
| Dexachel | Dexamethasone | Zoetis Inc. | Dogs, Cats, Horses | NADA 130-660 |
| Otiserene | Dexamethasone, Marbofloxacin, Terbinafine | Dechra Veterinary Products LLC | Dogs | NADA 141-598 |
| Dexamethasone Solution | Dexamethasone | Huvepharma EOOD | Dogs, Cats, Horses, Cattle | ANADA 200-108 |
| Dexium | Dexamethasone | Bimeda Animal Health Ltd. | Dogs, Cats, Horses, Cattle | ANADA 200-312 |
| Dexamethasone Injection | Dexamethasone | Sparhawk Laboratories, Inc. | Horses, Cattle | ANADA 200-324 |
| Thiabendazole, Dexamethasone, Neomycin Sulfate Solution | Dexamethasone, Neomycin Sulfate, Thiabendazole | Dechra Veterinary Products LLC | Dogs, Cats | ANADA 200-565 |
| Dexamethasone Injectionapproval voluntarily withdrawn | Dexamethasone | Watson Laboratories, Inc. | — | NADA 110-350 |
| Dexamethasone Solutionapproval voluntarily withdrawn | Dexamethasone | Med-Pharmex, Inc. | Horses, Cattle | ANADA 200-456 |
Species are the major species the Green Book search lists for the application ("—" where it lists another species or none). Approval dates are not part of the Green Book listing files and are not shown. Pioneer applications (NADA) come first, then generics (ANADA).
Questions about dexamethasone reports
How many FDA adverse event reports mention dexamethasone?
4,981 reports through March 2026, 497 of them in the latest 12 months, counting dexamethasone alone and in combinations.
Which brands do these reports concern?
That cannot be known from the public data. openFDA masks brand and manufacturer names in adverse event records, so the reports counted here cannot be attributed to a particular brand. The Green Book reference list on this page names approved products containing dexamethasone without any counts.
In which combinations is dexamethasone reported?
Dexamethasone (58.9% of these reports), Dexamethasone + Neomycin Sulfate + Thiabendazole (21.8% of these reports), Dexamethasone + Thiabendazole (18.1% of these reports), Dexamethasone + Neomycin Sulfate + Polymyxin B Sulfate (0.6% of these reports) and Dexamethasone + Enrofloxacin (0.2% of these reports).
What reactions are reported for dexamethasone?
lethargy (20.8%), vomiting (19.9%), anorexia (8.6%), diarrhoea (8.3%) and death (8.3%). Shares are of reports naming the ingredient; one report can list several terms.
Which animals are these reports about?
dog (57.8%), cat (27.8%) and human exposure (3.7%).
Does a high count mean dexamethasone is a problem ingredient?
A count cannot show that. FDA states that "there is no certainty that the reported drug or device caused the adverse event" and that the event "may have been related to an underlying disease, other drugs used at the same time or other non-drug related sources." Widely used ingredients collect more reports because more animals receive them.
How do I report a problem?
Call the drug company using the number on the label, or send Form FDA 1932a to FDA. See the guide on how to report.
Where this comes from. Counts are built from the openFDA Animal & Veterinary adverse event bulk files released 28 Sep 2026, which hold reports FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine received through 31 Mar 2026. openFDA masks brand and manufacturer names in these files, so drugs are counted by the active ingredients each record discloses and no figure is attributed to a brand, application or company. Ingredient names, and the separate reference lists of approved products, follow the FDA Green Book as of 1 Oct 2026. Ingredient names follow the Green Book; salts and forms are kept as FDA lists them. Drug entries are matched by the active ingredients their unmasked ingredient field discloses. No report text, lot numbers or reporter details are published. See the methodology and sources; FDA's record is authoritative, and corrections are handled within five working days.