Medicines labeled for the same conditions
Alternatives to desonide
10 other medicines are given the same way (topical) and in the same FDA class as desonide or labeled mainly for the same use (eczema (atopic dermatitis)); 4 are in its class, corticosteroids: hydrocortisone, fluocinolone, fluticasone and dexamethasone; the others include 2 phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors, 2 janus kinase inhibitors and 1 calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressant (FDA labels read October 8, 2026). In the same class, the lowest pharmacy cost is $0.0613 per gram (Hydrocortisone 1% cream) (what pharmacies paid in the NADAC survey; strengths differ).
Which medicines are labeled for the same conditions as desonide?
Eczema (atopic dermatitis) lists all 26 medicines labeled for it, by any route. Each row shows the conditions both labels name. They are listed as public records, not as substitutes: whether one can replace another depends on the person and is a prescriber's decision.
| Medicine and FDA class | Shared indication | Generic labelers (topical) | Pharmacy cost | Boxed warning | Shortage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desonidecorticosteroid | this medicine | 12 labelers | $0.252 per gram 0.05% cream | No | No current entry |
| Hydrocortisonecorticosteroid · same class | Eczema (atopic dermatitis) | 30 labelers | $0.0613 per gram 1% cream | No | A presentation being discontinued |
| Fluocinolonecorticosteroid · same class | Eczema (atopic dermatitis) | 15 labelers | $0.171 per mL 0.01% scalp oil | No | No current entry |
| Fluticasonecorticosteroid · same class | Eczema (atopic dermatitis) | 8 labelers | $0.243 per gram 0.05% cream | No | No current entry |
| Dexamethasonecorticosteroid · same class | Eczema (atopic dermatitis) | none listed | n/a | No | In shortage |
| Oatmeal | Eczema (atopic dermatitis) | none listed | n/a | No | No current entry |
| Pimecrolimuscalcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressant | Eczema (atopic dermatitis) | 2 labelers | $3.31 per gram 1% cream | Yes | No current entry |
| Crisaborolephosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor | Eczema (atopic dermatitis) | none listed | $11.68 per gram 2% ointment | No | No current entry |
| Delgocitinibjanus kinase inhibitor | Eczema (atopic dermatitis) | none listed | n/a | No | No current entry |
| Difamilastphosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor | Eczema (atopic dermatitis) | none listed | n/a | No | No current entry |
| Ruxolitinibjanus kinase inhibitor | Eczema (atopic dermatitis) | none listed | $34.01 per gram 1.5% cream | No | No current entry |
Source: FDA drug labels (indications) via openFDA; FDA NDC Directory; CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026; FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do pharmacies pay for each?
The headline NADAC price per unit of each medicine's most widely listed form; strengths differ, so compare like with like on each record.
Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) survey, October 7, 2026: what retail pharmacies paid per unit; not a counter price
What next?
- Desonide: the full record
- label, generics, price, shortages, recalls
- Hydrocortisone vs desonide
- two records side by side