Two medicines, side by side
Clobetasol vs desoximetasone
Clobetasol and desoximetasone are both labeled for psoriasis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of clobetasol since 1985 and of desoximetasone since 1977. Pharmacies paid $0.126 per gram (Clobetasol 0.05% ointment) and $0.369 per gram (Desoximetasone 0.25% ointment) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the clobetasol FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 21, 2026); the desoximetasone FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 12, 2026).
Highlights of the clobetasol record
Clobetasol (Temovate) · label of April 21, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsClobetasol Propionate Topical Solution, 0.05% is indicated for short-term topical treatment of inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of moderate to severe corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses of the scalp. Treatment beyond 2 consecutive weeks is not recommended, and the total dosage should not exceed 50 mL/week because of the potential for the drug to suppress the HPA axis. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 27, 1985
- Generic labelers
- 39 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.126 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 18
Highlights of the desoximetasone record
Desoximetasone (Topicort) · label of March 12, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsTopicort ® (desoximetasone ointment USP) 0.05% is indicated for the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 28, 1977
- Generic labelers
- 13 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.369 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 9
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Clobetasol label of April 21, 2026, Desoximetasone label of March 12, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do clobetasol and desoximetasone differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class corticosteroids.
Generics: clobetasol since 1994; desoximetasone since 1990 (Drugs@FDA).
| Clobetasol | Desoximetasone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Psoriasis, Pain | Psoriasis |
| Pharmacologic class | Corticosteroid | Corticosteroid |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 27, 1985 | February 28, 1977 |
| First generic approved | February 16, 1994 | November 29, 1990 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 39 labelers | 13 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.126 per gram (Clobetasol 0.05% ointment) | $0.369 per gram (Desoximetasone 0.25% ointment) |
| 12-month price change | -23% | -27% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 18 | 9 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 10,472 | 18,942 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to clobetasol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions