Two medicines, side by side
Desonide vs tacrolimus
Desonide and tacrolimus are both labeled for eczema (atopic dermatitis). Drugs@FDA records approvals of desonide since 1972 and of tacrolimus since 1994. Pharmacies paid $0.252 per gram (Desonide 0.05% cream) and $0.970 per gram (Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, desonide is a corticosteroid and tacrolimus a calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressant.
Check it at the source: the desonide FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 3, 2026); the tacrolimus FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 17, 2026).
Highlights of the desonide record
Desonide (Tridesilon) · label of February 3, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsDesonide cream USP, 0.05% is a low potency corticosteroid indicated for the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid responsive dermatoses. It should not be used for longer than two weeks unless directed by a physician.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 4, 1972
- Generic labelers
- 12 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.252 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Highlights of the tacrolimus record
Tacrolimus (Prograf) · label of July 17, 2026
MALIGNANCIES AND SERIOUS INFECTIONS Increased risk for developing serious infections and malignancies with Tacrolimus or other immunosuppressants that may lead to hospitalization or death. ( 5.1 , 5.2 ) WARNING: MALIGNANCIES AND SERIOUS INFECTIONS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Increased risk for developing serious infections and malignancies with tacrolimus or other immunosuppressants that may lead to hospitalization or death.
Used for
From the label: indicationsTacrolimus capsules are a calcineurin-inhibitor immunosuppressant indicated for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in adult and pediatric patients receiving allogeneic liver, kidney or heart transplants, in combination with other immunosuppressants. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 8, 1994
- Generic labelers
- 33 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.970 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 9
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Desonide label of February 3, 2026, Tacrolimus label of July 17, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do desonide and tacrolimus differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, desonide is a corticosteroid and tacrolimus a calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressant.
Only the tacrolimus label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: desonide since 1988; tacrolimus since 2009 (Drugs@FDA).
| Desonide | Tacrolimus | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Eczema (atopic dermatitis) | Organ transplant rejection, Eczema (atopic dermatitis) |
| Pharmacologic class | Corticosteroid | Calcineurin Inhibitor Immunosuppressant |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | Fecal elimination accounted for 92.4±1.0% and the elimination half-life based on radioactivity was 48.1±15.9 hours whereas it was 43.5±11.6 hours based on tacrolimus concentrations. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | January 4, 1972 | April 8, 1994 |
| First generic approved | June 15, 1988 | August 10, 2009 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 12 labelers | 33 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.252 per gram (Desonide 0.05% cream) | $0.970 per gram (Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment) |
| 12-month price change | -21% | +3% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 9 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 4,960 | 156,020 |
| 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 desonide
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions