Desonide Topical

Desonide Topical is a prescription medication used to treat inflammation and itching caused by eczema or skin conditions that respond to steroid medication.

• Desonide Topical is available under various brand names: Desonate [DSC]; DesOwen; DesRx; Tridesilon; Verdeso 

Common side effects of Desonide Topical include:

• stinging or burning of treated skin.
• skin irritation, redness, itching, or hardening.
• dry, scaly, or oily skin.
• swelling in the hands or feet.
• acne, stretch marks; or
• redness or crusting around the 2 hair follicles.

Serious side effects of Desonide Topical include:

• hives. 
• difficult breathing. 
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• worsening of the skin condition.
• redness, warmth, swelling, oozing, or severe irritation of any treated skin.
• blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights.
• high blood sugar--increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor; or
• possible signs of absorbing this medicine through your skin--weight gain (especially in the face or the upper back and torso), slow wound healing, thinning or discolored skin, increased body hair, muscle weakness, nausea, diarrhea, tiredness, mood changes, menstrual changes, sexual changes.

Rare side effects of Desonide Topical include:

• none

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult and pediatric dosage

Cream/lotion/ointment

• 0.05 %

Foam

• 0.05 %

Gel

• 0.05 %

Atopic dermatitis:

Adult dosage

• Topical: Foam, gel: Apply 2 times daily sparingly. Therapy should be discontinued when control is achieved. If no improvement is seen within 4 weeks, reassessment of diagnosis may be necessary; treatment should not exceed 4 consecutive weeks.

Pediatric dosage

• Infants above 3 months, Children, and adolescents: Foam 0.05%, gel 0.05%: Apply a thin layer to the affected area twice daily. If no improvement is seen within 4 weeks, reassessment of diagnosis may be necessary; treatment should not exceed 4 consecutive weeks.

Corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses: 

Adult dosage

• Topical: Cream, ointment, lotion: Apply to the affected area(s) sparingly 2 or 3 times daily (lotion) or 2 to 4 times daily (cream, ointment). Therapy should be discontinued when control is achieved. If no improvement is seen within 2 weeks, reassessment of diagnosis may be necessary.

Pediatric dosage

• Infants, Children, and Adolescents: Topical: Cream, ointment, lotion (0.05%): Apply sparingly to the affected area(s) twice daily

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Desonide Topical has no noted severe interactions with any other drugs.
• Desonide Topical has no noted serious interactions with any other drugs.
• Desonide Topical has no noted moderate interactions with any other drugs.
• Desonide Topical has no noted minor interactions with any other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity 

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Desonide Topical?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Desonide Topical?”

Cautions

• Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.
• Apply a thin layer of the medicine to the affected skin and rub it in gently. Do not apply this medicine over a large area of skin unless your doctor has told you to.
• Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice. Some brands or forms of this medicine are for use only in adults 18 and over.
• Children can absorb larger amounts of this medicine through the skin and may be more likely to have side effects.
• Do not cover the treated skin area with a bandage or other covering unless your doctor tells you to. Covering treated areas can increase the amount of medicine absorbed through your skin and may cause harmful effects.
• If you are treating the diaper area, do not use plastic pants or tight-fitting diapers.
• Avoid getting this medicine in your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Do not use desonide Topical to treat any skin condition that has not been checked by your doctor.

Pregnancy and Lactation

• It is not known whether this Desonide will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.
• Lactation
  • It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this desonide. Ask your doctor about any risks. If you apply desonide to your chest, avoid areas that may encounter the baby's mouth.