POM-V Prescription Required Companion Animal

Dexacortone 2.0 mg Chewable Tablets for Dogs and Cats

Active ingredient: Dexamethasone

Form

Chewable

Species

Cats Dogs

Manufacturer

Le Vet Beheer B.V.

VMD MA No.

41821/3016

What it's used for

anti-allergic agent in horses, cattle, pigs, dogs and cats and for the treatment of primary ketosis in cattle. The product can also be used to induce partu...

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓

View official SPC (PDF)

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Paying less for Dexamethasone

1

Ask your vet for a written prescription

They must provide one on request. Under the CMA Order the fee is capped at £21 from 2027.
2

Fill it at a registered online retailer

The CMA found online pharmacies 50–60% cheaper than practice dispensing on common medicines — typically £200–£300 a year.

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Prescription required

Your vet must provide a written prescription on request. You can then purchase from any licensed online retailer.

Clinical information

Dexacortone 2.0 mg Chewable Tablets for Dogs and Cats — SPC Details

Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 27 Mar 2026.

anti-allergic agent in horses, cattle, pigs, dogs and cats and for the treatment of
primary ketosis in cattle. The product can also be used to induce parturition in cattle.
The product is suitable for intravenous use in the horse and is thus of particular benefit
in cases needing emergency treatment.

Dose: 0.05-0.2 mg/kg/day. The dose and duration of treatment should be determined
by the veterinarian based upon the desired effect (anti-inflammatory or anti-allergic)
and on the nature and severity of each individual case. The lowest effective dose for
the shortest possible period should be used. When the desired effect has been
achieved, the dose should gradually be reduced until the lowest effective dose is
reached.
Dogs should be treated in the morning and cats in the evening on account of
differences in cortisol circadian rhythms.
Tablets can be divided into 2 or 4 equal parts to ensure accurate dosing. Place the
tablet on a flat surface, with its scored side facing up and the convex (rounded) side
facing the surface.
2 equal parts: press down with your thumbs on both sides of the tablet.
4 equal parts: press down with your thumb in the middle of the tablet.

Do not use in animals with viral or mycotic infections.
Do not use in animals with diabetes mellitus or hyperadrenocorticism.
Do not use in animals with osteoporosis.
Do not use in animals with cardiac or renal dysfunction.
Do not use in animals with corneal ulcers.
Do not use in animals with gastro-intestinal ulceration.

Issued January 2018
Do not use in animals with burns.
Do not use concomitantly with attenuated alive vaccine.
Do not use in the case of glaucoma.
Do not use during pregnancy (see section 3.7).
Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance, to corticosteroids or
to any of the excipients.
See also section 3.8.

Dogs and cats:
Very common
(>1 animal / 10 animals
treated):
Cortisol suppression
, elevated triglyceride
Rare
(1 to 10 animals / 10,000
animals treated):
Elevated liver enzymesUndetermined frequency
(cannot be estimated from the
available data):
Polyphagia
, polydipsia
Polyuria
Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushings disease)
4,5
,
Diabetes mellitus
Excitation
Gastrointestinal ulceration
, pancreatitis
Enlarged liver (hepatomegaly)
Changes in blood biochemical and haematological
parameters (e.g. elevated serum alkaline
phosphatase (SAP), decreased lactic acid
dehydrogenase (LDH), hyperalbuminaemia,
eosinopenia, lymphopenia, neutrophilia
,
decreased aspartate aminotransferase).
Hypothyroidism, elevated parathyroid (PTH)
concentration
Inhibition of longitudinal growth of bones
Cutaneous calcinosis, skin thinning
Delayed healing, immunosuppression
, weakened
resistance to or exacerbation of existing infections
Sodium and water retention
, hypokalaemia
1
as a result of effective doses suppressing the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
as part of possible iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism (Cushings disease).
after systemic administration and particularly during early stages of therapy.
iatrogenic.

Issued January 2018
involving significant alteration of fat, carbohydrate, protein and mineral metabolism,
e.g. redistribution of body fat, increase in body weight, muscle weakness and
wastage and osteoporosis may result.
may be exacerbated by steroids in animals given non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs and in animals with spinal cord trauma.
increase of segmented neutrophils.
in the presence of viral infections, corticosteroids may worsen or hasten the
progress of the disease.
in long-term use.
Anti-inflammatory corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone, are known to exert a
wide range of side effects. Whilst single high doses are generally well tolerated, they
may induce severe side-effects in long-term use. Long-term use should therefore be
avoided. Should long-term use be indicated, a corticosteroid with a shorter duration
of action e.g. prednisolone is more appropriate (see section 3.5).
Following cessation of treatment, signs of adrenal insufficiency extending to
adrenocortical atrophy can arise and this may render the animal unable to deal
adequately with stressful situations. Consideration should therefore be given to
means of minimising problems of adrenal insufficiency following the withdrawal of
treatment.
See also section

Corticoid administration is to induce an improvement in clinical signs rather than a
cure. The treatment should be combined with treatment of the underlying disease
and/or environmental control.

Special precautions for safe use in the target species:
In cases where it has been deemed necessary to administer the veterinary medicinal
product in the presence of bacterial, parasitic or fungal infection, the underlying
infection should be treated concomitantly with suitable antibacterial, antiparasitic or
antifungal therapy.
Because of the pharmacological properties of dexamethasone, special care should
be taken when the veterinary medicinal product is used in animals with a weakened
immune system.
Corticoids such as dexamethasone, exacerbate proteinaceous catabolism.
Consequently, the veterinary medicinal product should be used with caution in old or
malnourished animals.
Corticoids such as dexamethasone should be used with caution in patients with
hypertension.
Since glucocorticoids are known to slow growth, use in young animals (under 7
months of age) should be based on a benefit/risk assessment by the attending
veterinarian.
Pharmacologically-active dose levels may lead to atrophy of the adrenal cortex,
resulting in adrenal insufficiency. This may become apparent particularly after
withdrawal of corticosteroid treatment. The dosage should be reduced and withdrawn
gradually to avoid precipitation of adrenal insufficiency.
Avoid long-term use with oral corticosteroids whenever possible. Should long-term
use be indicated, a corticosteroid with a shorter duration of action e.g. prednisolone is
more appropriate. With prednisolone, alternate-day therapy can be utilised for longer-
term use to minimise adrenal insufficiency. Due to the long duration of effect of
dexamethasone alternate day therapy is not an adequate way to allow the
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to recover (see section 3.9).
The tablets are flavoured. In order to avoid any accidental ingestion, store tablets out
of reach of animals.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal
product to animals:
Dexamethasone may cause hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions. Skin contact with the
veterinary medicinal product should be avoided, especially in people with known
hypersensitivity to dexamethasone or any of the excipients (e.g. povidone or lactose).
Wash hands after use. Seek medical advice in case of hypersensitivity reactions.
This veterinary medicinal product may be harmful to children after accidental
ingestion. Do not leave the veterinary medicinal product unattended. Return unused

Issued January 2018
part-tablets to the blister pack and use them on the next administration. Keep the
blister in the outer carton to prevent access by children. In case of accidental
ingestion, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label
to the physician.
Dexamethasone can cause harm to unborn children. Pregnant women should avoid
exposure. Absorption through the skin is negligible but it is recommended to
immediately wash hands after handling the tablets to avoid hand-to-mouth contact.
Special precautions for the protection of the environment:
Not applicable.

Phenytoin, barbiturates, ephedrine and rifampicin, may accelerate the metabolic
clearance of corticosteroids resulting in decreased blood levels and reduced
physiological effect.
The concomitant use of this veterinary medicinal product with non-steroidal anti-
inflammatory drugs may exacerbate gastrointestinal tract ulceration. Because
corticosteroids can reduce the immunoresponse to vaccination, dexamethasone
should not be used in combination with vaccines or within two weeks after
vaccination.

Issued January 2018
Administration of dexamethasone may induce hypokalaemia and hence increase the
risk of toxicity from cardiac glycosides. The risk of hypokalaemia may be increased if
dexamethasone is administered together with potassium depleting diuretics.

Return unused part-tablets to the blister pack and use them on the next
administration. Do not store above 30 ºC. Keep the blisters in the outer carton in
order to protect from light.

Not applicable.

Issued January 2018
4.

This information is sourced from the official Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). It is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet before administering any medication.