Two medicines, side by side
Hydrocortisone vs desonide
Hydrocortisone and desonide are both labeled for eczema (atopic dermatitis). Drugs@FDA records approvals of hydrocortisone since 1951 and of desonide since 1972. Pharmacies paid $0.0613 per gram (Hydrocortisone 1% cream) and $0.252 per gram (Desonide 0.05% cream) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Hydrocortisone's other strengths are brand-only: $51.43 per Solu-cortef 250 mg act-o-vial.
Check it at the source: the hydrocortisone FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 19, 2026); the desonide FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 3, 2026).
Highlights of the hydrocortisone record
Hydrocortisone (Solu-Cortef) · label of August 19, 2026
Used for
From the label: indications• temporarily relieves itching associated with minor skin irritations, inflammation, and rashes due to: • eczema • psoriasis • poison ivy, oak, sumac • insect bites • detergents • jewelry • seborrheic dermatitis • cosmetics • soaps • temporarily relieves external anal and genital itching • other uses of this product should only be under the advice and supervision of a doctor
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 21, 1951
- Generic labelers
- 49 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0613 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 7
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
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Hydrocortisone label of August 19, 2026, Desonide label of February 3, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do hydrocortisone and desonide differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class corticosteroids.
Generics: hydrocortisone since 1971; desonide since 1988 (Drugs@FDA).
| Hydrocortisone | Desonide | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoarthritis, Asthma, Allergies, Herpes and shingles, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, Eczema (atopic dermatitis) | Eczema (atopic dermatitis) |
| 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 21, 1951 | January 4, 1972 |
| First generic approved | December 22, 1971 | June 15, 1988 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 49 labelers | 12 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0613 per gram (Hydrocortisone 1% cream) | $0.252 per gram (Desonide 0.05% cream) |
| 12-month price change | +1% | -21% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 7 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 97,782 | 4,960 |
| 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 hydrocortisone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions