Medicines labeled for the same conditions
Alternatives to hydrocortisone
4 other medicines are given the same way (topical) and in the same FDA class as hydrocortisone or labeled mainly for the same use (eczema (atopic dermatitis)); 4 are in its class, corticosteroids: fluocinolone, desonide, fluticasone and dexamethasone (FDA labels read October 8, 2026). In the same class, the lowest pharmacy cost is $0.171 per mL (Fluocinolone 0.01% scalp oil) (what pharmacies paid in the NADAC survey; strengths differ).
Which medicines are labeled for the same conditions as hydrocortisone?
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrocortisonecorticosteroid | this medicine | 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 |
| Desonidecorticosteroid · same class | Eczema (atopic dermatitis) | 12 labelers | $0.252 per gram 0.05% cream | 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 |
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?
- Hydrocortisone: the full record
- label, generics, price, shortages, recalls
- Fluocinolone vs hydrocortisone
- two records side by side
- Hydrocortisone vs desonide
- two records side by side
- Dexamethasone vs hydrocortisone
- two records side by side