desoximetasone
Brand names: Topicort
Desoximetasone is a steroid medicine that you put on your skin. It helps reduce swelling, itching, and redness.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$1.43/unit
Generic Available
Yes (19 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
This medicine treats skin problems that cause inflammation and itching.
Common side effects
No common side effects listed.
Key warnings
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.
How It Works
Desoximetasone is a strong corticosteroid. It works by reducing inflammation. It also reduces itching.
How to Take It
Apply a thin layer of the cream or gel to the affected skin twice a day. Gently rub the medicine into your skin. Only use it on the areas your doctor told you to.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before using this medicine. It is not known if desoximetasone 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, away from heat and moisture.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 81,366 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 18,159 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
18,159
Death-Related Reports
4,534
Hospitalization Reports
6,570
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 9,774 |
| 2 | PAIN | 8,816 |
| 3 | FATIGUE | 8,635 |
| 4 | ALOPECIA | 8,121 |
| 5 | RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS | 8,064 |
| 6 | SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS | 7,966 |
| 7 | PEMPHIGUS | 7,742 |
| 8 | ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT | 7,697 |
| 9 | GLOSSODYNIA | 7,510 |
| 10 | SWELLING | 7,041 |
| 11 | HAND DEFORMITY | 6,818 |
| 12 | RASH | 6,712 |
| 13 | ARTHROPATHY | 6,684 |
| 14 | DRUG INTOLERANCE | 6,547 |
| 15 | SYNOVITIS | 6,373 |
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 desoximetasone used for?
How often should I apply the cream?
Can I use a bandage over the treated area?
What should I do if I get the cream in my eyes?
Can I use this cream on my face?
Are there any side effects?
Can I use this while pregnant?
How long should I use this medication?
What should I do if my skin condition gets worse?
Can I buy this over the counter?
What drug class is desoximetasone?
Is desoximetasone safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Topical Corticosteroid
Other drugs grouped near desoximetasone — same-class peers and common alternatives.
adapalene
Differin
Adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel is a medicine used on the skin to treat acne.
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apremilast
Otezla
Apremilast (Otezla/Otezla XR) is a medicine that can help adults and children manage psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis.
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azelaic acid
Finacea, Azelex
Azelaic acid gel is a topical medicine that helps treat rosacea.
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benzoyl peroxide
Benzac, PanOxyl
Benzoyl peroxide is a topical medicine that fights germs on your skin.
Compare with desoximetasone →
betamethasone
Diprosone, Luxiq
Betamethasone dipropionate cream is a strong steroid medicine used on the skin.
Compare with desoximetasone →
Medication Guides
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What the FDA Data Shows for desoximetasone
The FDA label for desoximetasone (sold under brand names such as Topicort) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Topical Corticosteroid class. This medicine treats skin problems that cause inflammation and itching. Labeling covers dosing, contraindications, and monitoring requirements derived from clinical trials.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 81,366 voluntary reports. Interaction data is drawn directly from FDA-approved prescribing information. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $1.43.
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).
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: December 9, 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