6β-hydroxyDexamethasone is a metabolite of dexamethasone that is more hydrophilic than the parent compound. Dexamethasone is metabolized by CYP3A4; therefore, quantification of the dexamethasone metabolites, 6α- and 6β-hydroxydexamethasone, can be used to determine CYP3A4 enzyme activity in humans., The formation of 6-hydroxydexamethasone metabolites is species-specific, with hamsters producing the highest amount. In rats, dexamethasonehydroxylation is sex-specific, with male rats producing metabolites in similar ratios to humans and female rats producing fewer hydroxylated metabolites than male rats.