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Dexamethasone shortage status

Widespread shortage Tier 3: critical

Source: Health Canada shortage reports · Updated Jul 9, 2026

Dexamethasone is in a widespread shortage in Canada. 3 of 6 reported products are affected, and Health Canada has designated this a Tier 3 (most serious) shortage. The latest manufacturer estimate for full recovery is Oct 2, 2026.
Products affected
3 of 6
In shortage since
Nov 26, 2025
Est. full return
Oct 2, 2026
Reports on file
44
Talk to your pharmacist. Pharmacists can often substitute another manufacturer's version, a different strength, or (in most provinces) adapt or renew a prescription on the spot. Your free provincial health line is 811.

Reports by product

Active shortage
DEXAMETHASONE SODIUM PHOSPHATE INJ USP 4MG/ML
4MG · SOLUTION · SANDOZ CANADA INCORPORATED
DIN 00664227 · since Jun 22, 2026, est. end Oct 2, 2026 · Requirements related to complying with good manufacturing practices.
Active shortage
DEXAMETHASONE-OMEGA
4MG · LIQUID · OMEGA LABORATORIES LIMITED
DIN 02204266 · since Feb 20, 2026, est. end Jul 10, 2026 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
Active shortage
DEXAMETHASONE SODIUM PHOSPHATE INJ USP 4MG/ML
4MG · SOLUTION · SANDOZ CANADA INCORPORATED
DIN 00664227 · since Jun 22, 2026, est. end Sep 18, 2026 · Demand increase for the drug.
Active shortage
DEXAMETHASONE-OMEGA
4MG · LIQUID · OMEGA LABORATORIES LIMITED
DIN 02204266 · since Nov 26, 2025, est. end Jul 31, 2026 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
Active shortage
DEXAMETHASONE SODIUM PHOSPHATE INJECTION, USP
4MG · SOLUTION LIQUID · STERIMAX INC
DIN 01977547 · since Apr 10, 2026, est. end Sep 14, 2026 · Demand increase for the drug.
Resolved
DEXAMETHASONE OMEGA UNIDOSE
10MG · SOLUTION · OMEGA LABORATORIES LIMITED
DIN 02387743 · ended May 29, 2026 · Demand increase for the drug.
Resolved
DEXAMETHASONE-OMEGA
4MG · LIQUID · OMEGA LABORATORIES LIMITED
DIN 02204266 · ended Oct 3, 2025 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
Resolved
DEXAMETHASONE-OMEGA
4MG · LIQUID · OMEGA LABORATORIES LIMITED
DIN 02204266 · ended Dec 4, 2024 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
Resolved
DEXAMETHASONE-OMEGA
4MG · LIQUID · OMEGA LABORATORIES LIMITED
DIN 02204266 · ended Dec 4, 2024 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
Resolved
DEXAMETHASONE-OMEGA
4MG · LIQUID · OMEGA LABORATORIES LIMITED
DIN 02204266 · ended Feb 27, 2024 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
Resolved
DEXAMETHASONE-OMEGA
10MG · LIQUID · OMEGA LABORATORIES LIMITED
DIN 02204274 · ended Jan 5, 2024 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
Resolved
DEXAMETHASONE-OMEGA
10MG · LIQUID · OMEGA LABORATORIES LIMITED
DIN 02204274 · ended Oct 11, 2023 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.

Showing 12 of 44 reports. All reports are on file with Health Canada.

What's happening

Dexamethasone is currently affected by 3 active shortage reports filed with Health Canada by SANDOZ CANADA INCORPORATED, OMEGA LABORATORIES LIMITED, STERIMAX INC.

The reported causes are: requirements related to complying with good manufacturing practices; disruption of the manufacture of the drug; demand increase for the drug. Manufacturers must report shortages, but end-date estimates are their own projections and often move.

Health Canada has flagged this as a Tier 3 shortage, its most serious category, meaning the shortage has the greatest potential impact on the health system and alternatives are limited.

If your usual product is affected, a pharmacist is the fastest route to a solution: they can dispense an unaffected manufacturer's equivalent when one exists, and in most provinces can adapt doses or substitute a therapeutic alternative without a new appointment.

Dexamethasone is classified under “CORTICOSTEROIDS FOR SYSTEMIC USE, PLAIN” (ATC H02AB).

Recent changes

Common questions

When will Dexamethasone be back in stock in Canada?

The latest manufacturer estimate is Oct 2, 2026. Estimates are self-reported and often slip; this page updates automatically when they change.

Why is Dexamethasone in shortage?

See the reports above; manufacturers must state a reason (most commonly manufacturing disruption or a surge in demand) when filing with Health Canada.

What can my pharmacist do about it?

Often quite a lot: substitute an equivalent product from an unaffected manufacturer, adjust quantities, or in most provinces adapt or renew prescriptions on the spot. Call your pharmacy before visiting, and call 811 for free health advice.

Related drugs (corticosteroids for systemic use, plain)

Partial shortageHydrocortisone3 of 16 reported products affectedPartial shortageMethylprednisolone1 of 11 reported products affected · est. return Dec 1, 2022Partial shortagePrednisone1 of 7 reported products affected · est. return Aug 10, 2026Partial shortageTriamcinolone Acetonide4 of 11 reported products affected · est. return Sep 30, 2026No current shortageBetamethasone BetamethasoneShortage anticipatedMethylprednisolone0 of 5 reported products affected

All corticosteroids for systemic use, plain shortage statuses →

Guides: what to do when your medication is in shortage · how to read shortage reports

Data reflects reports manufacturers are legally required to file with Health Canada, republished with per-drug aggregation by rxstat. Estimated end dates are supplied by manufacturers and frequently change. This page describes drug supply only and is not medical advice; never stop or switch a medication without speaking to your pharmacist or prescriber.