Cosyntropin and Desoximetasone: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Desoximetasone
Cosyntropin
No brand names on record
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
What happens
False elevations of plasma cortisol levels
Interaction Deep Dive
Concomitant use of cosyntropin and glucocorticoids may result in false elevation of plasma cortisol levels when cosyntropin is used as a diagnostic agent in the screening of adrenocortical insufficiency. Discontinue glucocorticoids on the day of cosyntropin testing and long acting glucocorticoids should be discontinued for a longer period before cosyntropin testing1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Unknown
Common questions
Can I take Cosyntropin and Desoximetasone together?
False elevations of plasma cortisol levels Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Cosyntropin and Desoximetasone interaction?
It is rated major. Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "unspecified". The timing of this interaction is not well characterized.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Cosyntropin or Desoximetasone need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there a safer alternative to one of these medications for me?
References (1)
- Product Information: CORTROSYN(R) intramuscular intravenous injection, cosyntropin intramuscular intravenous injection. Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc (per FDA), Rancho Cucamonga, CA, 2023.
Keep reading about Desoximetasone
Keep reading about Cosyntropin
These medications also interact with supplements
Prescription drugs aren't the whole picture — herbal and dietary supplements can interact with them too. From the evidence-graded Natural Medicines database:
major · moderate · minor — check everything you take with our drug–supplement interaction checker.
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