Overnight Dexamethasone Suppression Test

Health Information Sheet | Canberra Health Services

Your doctor has referred you to have a Dexamethasone suppression test. You should follow the steps below:

Step 1

Please take the prescription your doctor has given you for Dexamethasone tablets to the Pharmacy Department at Canberra Hospital.

The Pharmacy Department is located on Level 2, Building 1 and is open from 8.30am to 7pm from Monday to Friday and 9am to 4.30pm Saturday and Sunday.

Step 2

After you have picked up your Dexamethasone tablets from Canberra Hospital, please take the two tablets at 11pm the night before you come for a blood test at the ACT Pathology Collection Centre at Canberra Hospital. Do not take the tablets if you cannot go to the collection centre between 8am and 9 am the next day.

Step 3

The morning after taking the tablets, please go to the ACT Pathology collection centre at Canberra Hospital between 8am and 9am to have a blood test. Tell the team members at the collection centre you need to have the blood specimens taken between 8am and 9am.

The ACT Pathology Collection Centre at Canberra Hospital is located in Building 10 and is open from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, and 8.30am to 12:15pm on Saturdays. The centre is closed on Sunday and public holidays. For more information call (02) 5124 2816.

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