rxstat › Shortages › Dexamethasone
Dexamethasone shortage status
Widespread shortage Tier 3: critical
A corticosteroid used to reduce inflammation in conditions such as severe allergies, asthma and arthritis.
Shortage history
Reports by product
What's happening
Dexamethasone is currently affected by 3 active shortage reports filed with Health Canada by STERIMAX INC, OMEGA LABORATORIES LIMITED.
The reported causes are: demand increase for the drug; disruption of the manufacture of 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
- Oct 6, 2026 Shortage resolved
- Oct 5, 2026 Shortage resolved
- Sep 9, 2026 Estimated end date pushed back : Nov 30, 2026 → May 31, 2027
- Sep 2, 2026 Estimated end date moved earlier : null → Dec 31, 2026
- Aug 26, 2026 Estimated end date moved earlier : Dec 31, 2026 → Nov 30, 2026
- Aug 24, 2026 Estimated end date moved earlier : Oct 2, 2026 → Sep 18, 2026
- Aug 19, 2026 Estimated end date pushed back : Sep 14, 2026 → Nov 30, 2026
- Aug 19, 2026 Estimated end date pushed back : Nov 30, 2026 → Dec 31, 2026
- Aug 12, 2026 New report filed
- Aug 5, 2026 Estimated end date pushed back : Sep 30, 2026 → Dec 31, 2026
- Aug 5, 2026 Estimated end date pushed back : Sep 30, 2026 → Nov 30, 2026
- Jul 22, 2026 New report filed
- Jul 14, 2026 Estimated end date pushed back : Jul 31, 2026 → Sep 30, 2026
- Jul 14, 2026 Estimated end date pushed back : Jul 10, 2026 → Sep 30, 2026
Common questions
What is Dexamethasone used for?
A corticosteroid used to reduce inflammation in conditions such as severe allergies, asthma and arthritis.
When will Dexamethasone be back in stock in Canada?
The latest manufacturer estimate is May 31, 2027. 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.
Email alerts
Possible alternatives in the same class (corticosteroids for systemic use, plain)
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.