Desonide (Topical application)

Desonide (Topical application) is used to help reduce redness, itching, swelling, or other discomfort from skin conditions (for example, atopic dermatitis). This medicine is a corticosteroid (cortisone-like medicine or steroid).

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

It is very important for your doctor to check your or your child's progress at regular visits to ensure this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for any unwanted effects.

If your or your child's symptoms do not improve within a few days or after 4 weeks, or if they get worse, contact your doctor.

Using too much of this medicine or using it for a long time may increase your risk of having adrenal gland problems. The risk is higher for children and patients who use large amounts for a long time. Talk to your doctor right away if you or your child have more than one of these symptoms while using this medicine: blurred vision, dizziness or fainting, a fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat, increased thirst or urination, irritability, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

This medicine may affect your blood sugar levels. Contact your doctor right away if you have increased thirst or increased urination. If you notice a change in the results of your urine or blood sugar tests, or if you have any questions, reach out to your doctor.

Contact your doctor right away if blurred vision, difficulty reading, or any other change in vision occurs during or after treatment. Your doctor may want your eyes to be checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

Contact your doctor right away if you or your child have a skin rash, burning, stinging, swelling, or irritation on the skin.

Make sure your doctor knows that you are using desonide foam. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before having surgery.

Do not use cosmetics or other skin care products on the treated areas.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to think about the risks of taking it compared to the benefits it may provide. Here are some important considerations for this medicine:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know if you have any other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Current studies have not shown any specific problems in children aged 3 months and older that would limit the use of desonide topical foam or gel. However, because this medicine can be toxic, it should be used carefully. Children may absorb large amounts through their skin, which can lead to serious side effects. If your child is using this medicine, follow your doctor’s instructions closely. For the foam and gel forms, safety and effectiveness have not been established in infants younger than 3 months. The safety and effectiveness of desonide topical cream, lotion, and ointment have not been established in children, and their use is not recommended.

Geriatric

There is no available information on how age affects the use of desonide topical cream, ointment, or lotion in older patients.

Current studies have not shown any specific problems that would limit the use of desonide topical foam or gel in elderly patients. However, older adults are more likely to have age-related kidney, liver, or heart issues, which may require caution and possible dose adjustments when using desonide topical foam or gel.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication while breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if there is a possible interaction. In such cases, your doctor may need to adjust the dose or take other precautions. Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken around the time of eating food or certain types of food due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical issues may impact the use of this medicine. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Cushing's syndrome (adrenal gland disorder) or
• Diabetes or
• Glaucoma or
• Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) or
• Intracranial hypertension (increased pressure in the head) or
• Posterior subcapsular cataracts—Use with caution. This medicine may worsen these conditions.

• Infection of the skin at or near the application site or
• Large sores, broken skin, or severe skin injury at the application site—Use with caution. This may increase the risk of additional side effects.

• Skin infection (e.g., bacteria, fungi, virus)—Must be treated first before using this medicine.

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor right away if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

• Blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin
• Burning, itching, redness, skin rash, swelling, or soreness at the application site
• Flushing or redness of the skin
• Irritation
• Itching, scaling, severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin
• Peeling of the skin
• Raised, dark red, wart-like spots on the skin, especially when used on the face
• Stinging and burning
• Unusually warm skin

Incidence not known

• Blindness
• Blurred vision or other change in vision
• Decreased vision
• Eye pain
• Headache
• Loss of vision
• Nausea
• Redness and scaling around the mouth
• Tearing
• Thinning of the skin with easy bruising, especially when used on the face or where the skin folds together (e.g., between the fingers)
• Vomiting

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Body aches or pain
• Chills
• Cough
• Difficulty with breathing
• Ear congestion
• Fever
• Headache
• Loss of voice
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

• Hoarseness
• Irritability
• Noisy breathing
• Tender, swollen glands in the neck
• Tightness in the chest
• Trouble with swallowing
• Voice changes

Incidence not known

• Acne or pimples
• Burning and itching of the skin with pinhead-sized red blisters
• Burning, itching, and pain in hairy areas, or pus at the root of the hair
• Lightening of normal skin color
• Lightening of treated areas of dark skin
• Reddish purple lines on the arms, face, legs, trunk, or groin

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Desonate
• Desowen
• LoKara
• Tridesilon
• Verdeso

In Canada

• Pms-Desonide

Available Dosage Forms:

• Gel/Jelly
• Ointment
• Cream
• Lotion
• Foam

Therapeutic Class: Corticosteroid, Strong

Pharmacologic Class: Adrenal Glucocorticoid

Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may cause unwanted side effects or skin irritation.

This medicine is for use on the skin only. Do not get it into your eyes, nose, mouth, or vagina. Do not use it on skin areas that have cuts, scrapes, or burns. If it does get on these areas, rinse it off right away with water.

This medicine should come with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

This medicine should only be used for skin conditions that your doctor is treating. Check with your doctor before using it for other conditions, especially if you think that a skin infection may be present. This medicine should not be used to treat certain kinds of skin infections or conditions, such as severe burns.

Do not use the topical gel on the groin or underarms unless directed to do so by your doctor, and do not use this form for more than 4 weeks.

To use the cream, gel, lotion, or ointment:

• Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
• Apply a thin layer of this medicine to the affected area of the skin. Rub it in gently.
• With the lotion, protect the skin from water, clothing, or anything that causes rubbing until the medicine has dried. Also, shake the lotion well before using it.
• Do not bandage or otherwise wrap the skin being treated unless directed to do so by your doctor.
• If the medicine is applied to the diaper area of an infant, do not use tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants unless directed to do so by your doctor.

To use the foam:

• Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
• Shake the can well before using it.
• Do not put the foam directly onto your face. Turn the can upside down and place a small amount of medicine in your hands. Massage it gently into the affected areas of the face until the medicine has dried. For areas other than the face, you may put it directly on the affected area.
• Do not wash or rinse the treated area right after applying the medicine.
• Do not bandage or otherwise wrap the skin being treated unless directed to do so by your doctor.
• Do not use this medicine near heat, an open flame, or while smoking.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For atopic dermatitis: For topical dosage forms (foam or gel): Adults—Apply a thin layer to the affected area of the skin 2 times a day. Children 3 months of age and older—Apply a thin layer to the affected area of the skin 2 times a day. Children younger than 3 months of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For redness, itching, and swelling of the skin: For topical dosage forms (cream, ointment, or lotion): Adults—Apply to the affected area of the skin 2 or 3 times a day. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Store the foam can at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Do not keep this medicine inside a car where it could be exposed to extreme heat. Do not poke holes in the canister or throw it into a fire, even if the canister is empty.

• What is Desonide cream used for?