desonide
Brand names: DesOwen
Desonide cream is a low-strength steroid medicine. It helps reduce swelling, itching, and redness of the skin.
Drug Shortage Alert
desonide is currently listed as to be discontinued by the FDA. Affected manufacturer: Actavis Pharma, Inc..
View all drug shortages →Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$0.24/unit
Generic Available
Yes (11 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
This cream treats skin problems that cause inflammation and itching.
Common side effects
Itching, Pain, Rash
Key warnings
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.
How It Works
Desonide is a type of steroid. It works by reducing inflammation. This helps to relieve itching and other skin problems.
How to Take It
Apply a thin layer of desonide cream to the affected skin. Do this two to four times each day, or as your doctor tells you. Stop using the cream when your skin gets better. Do not cover the treated area with bandages unless your doctor tells you to.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before using this medicine. It is not known if desonide can harm an unborn baby or pass into breast milk.
Missed Dose
Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store at room temperature, between 68° to 77°F. Protect from freezing.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 4,547 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 4,709 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
4,709
Death-Related Reports
186
Hospitalization Reports
1,057
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 1,136 |
| 2 | MACULAR DEGENERATION | 773 |
| 3 | OFF LABEL USE | 397 |
| 4 | PAIN | 376 |
| 5 | NAUSEA | 364 |
| 6 | HEADACHE | 313 |
| 7 | ERYTHEMA | 299 |
| 8 | PYREXIA | 298 |
| 9 | RASH | 297 |
| 10 | PRURITUS | 293 |
| 11 | PSORIASIS | 278 |
| 12 | MALAISE | 276 |
| 13 | WEIGHT DECREASED | 275 |
| 14 | THERAPEUTIC PRODUCT EFFECT INCOMPLETE | 257 |
| 15 | ABDOMINAL PAIN | 221 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.
Common Questions
What is desonide cream used for?
How often should I apply the cream?
Can I use a bandage over the cream?
What should I do if my skin doesn't improve?
Can I use this cream for a long time?
What are the common side effects?
Is desonide cream safe to use during pregnancy?
What should I do if I miss a dose?
How should I store desonide cream?
Can I buy this cream over the counter?
What are the common side effects of desonide?
What drug class is desonide?
Is desonide safe during pregnancy?
Is desonide currently in shortage?
Related Medications in Topical Corticosteroid
Other drugs grouped near desonide — same-class peers and common alternatives.
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azelaic acid
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benzoyl peroxide
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betamethasone
Diprosone, Luxiq
Betamethasone dipropionate cream is a strong steroid medicine used on the skin.
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What the FDA Data Shows for desonide
The FDA label for desonide (sold under brand names such as DesOwen) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Topical Corticosteroid class. This cream treats skin problems that cause inflammation and itching. Official labeling lists 10 commonly reported side effects, including Itching, Pain, Rash.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 4,547 voluntary reports. Interaction data is drawn directly from FDA-approved prescribing information. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.24.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC). Shortage status: FDA Drug Shortages Database.
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: July 19, 2023
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages