FDA-filed SPL labeling · retrieved through openFDA

Desonide

Desonide is a low-potency topical corticosteroid used to treat skin inflammation and itching caused by conditions such as atopic dermatitis and other corticosteroid-responsive skin conditions.

Brand names TridesilonDesOwenLokaraVerdesoDesrx +1 more
Drug class ⓘ Corticosteroid
Rx Forms 2 Route Topical
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 25 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

At a glance
Linked label effectiveSep 8, 2025
Clinical labels in scope ⓘ25
AvailabilityRx
Earliest approval/marketing year ⓘ1972
FDA-listed product records ⓘ80
Boxed warningNone found in compared labels
How we combine label and product data →
Other forms & routes:
Topical
⭐ Desonide at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
💊
HelloPharmacist Editorial Team Bottom Line
Desonide is a mild topical steroid that effectively calms inflamed, itchy skin when used as directed. It works best when applied in a thin layer for the shortest time needed to control your symptoms — overuse, especially in children or over large areas, raises the risk of side effects. Always follow your prescriber's guidance and check in if your skin isn't improving within 2–4 weeks.
How we write & review this content — our editorial policy →

📖 Desonide: Patient Information Guide

A plain-language walkthrough of Desonide — what it treats, how it works, how it’s taken, side effects, warnings and interactions. Tap any section to expand it.

🎯What it's used for▾

Desonide is a low-potency topical corticosteroid used to treat inflamed, itchy skin conditions. Here is the full range of supported uses across desonide products:

  • Desonide Gel, 0.05% is indicated for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (eczema) in patients 3 months of age and older
  • Desonide cream, 0.05% and desonide ointment, 0.05% are indicated for the relief of inflammation and itching from corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses (skin conditions that respond to steroid treatment)
  • Desonide cream and lotion (low to medium potency) are indicated for the relief of inflammation and itching from corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses
⚙️How it works▾

Desonide is a topical corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory, anti-itch, and blood vessel-narrowing (vasoconstrictive) properties. It is believed to work by prompting the body to produce proteins called lipocortins, which block the release of arachidonic acid — a building block for inflammation-causing chemicals like prostaglandins and leukotrienes. By reducing these chemicals at the skin level, desonide calms redness, swelling, and itch.

Desonide cream and ointment are considered to be in the low potency range compared to other topical corticosteroids, meaning they have a gentler effect — which also makes them suitable for sensitive skin and for use in young children when prescribed appropriately.

💊How it's taken▾

Desonide is applied directly to the skin as a thin layer. Frequency varies by product and condition severity:

  • Desonide Gel: applied twice daily; treatment should not exceed 4 consecutive weeks
  • Desonide cream or ointment: applied two to four times daily depending on severity; should not be used for longer than two weeks unless directed by a physician
  • Desonide cream or lotion: applied two to three times daily depending on severity

Stop using it once your skin clears up, and contact your doctor if there is no improvement within the recommended timeframe. Never cover the treated area with tight, airtight dressings unless your doctor specifically instructs you to do so.

🤒Side effects — in detail▾

Most people tolerate desonide well, but some side effects can occur at the application site:

  • Burning or stinging
  • Skin rash
  • Itching
  • Dryness or irritation
  • Folliculitis (inflamed hair follicles)
  • Acne-like breakouts
  • Skin lightening (hypopigmentation)
  • Skin thinning or stretch marks with prolonged use

Some local reactions — such as stretch marks or skin thinning — can be permanent. If your skin worsens, becomes infected, or you develop an allergic reaction, stop using desonide and call your doctor.

⚠️Warnings & precautions▾
  • HPA axis suppression: Desonide can be absorbed through the skin and interfere with the adrenal glands' normal function (HPA axis suppression). This is more likely with large treatment areas, prolonged use, or covered skin. Children are at higher risk because of their larger skin-to-body-mass ratio.
  • Children: In addition to adrenal suppression, children using topical corticosteroids have shown slowed growth, delayed weight gain, and in rare cases, increased pressure in the skull (intracranial hypertension). Use only as directed and for as short a time as possible.
  • Cushing's syndrome and high blood sugar: Significant absorption of topical corticosteroids can cause Cushing's syndrome (signs of too much cortisol) and may unmask latent diabetes mellitus (bring out hidden blood sugar problems).
  • Skin infections: If a skin infection develops during treatment, appropriate antibiotic or antifungal treatment is needed. Desonide Gel should be stopped until the infection is controlled.
  • Using multiple steroid products: Using more than one corticosteroid-containing product at the same time increases total steroid exposure and the risk of side effects.
🔀What it interacts with▾

The FDA label does not list specific drug-drug interactions for desonide, but there is one important consideration to be aware of:

  • Other corticosteroid products: Using more than one product containing a corticosteroid (steroid) at the same time — including other topical steroids — increases the total amount of steroid absorbed into your body and raises the risk of side effects like adrenal suppression

This is not a complete list of interactions. Always talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

📋Before taking it▾
  • Do not use desonide if you are allergic to any of its ingredients
  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant — desonide has shown potential to cause birth defects in animal studies, and it should only be used in pregnancy if the benefit clearly outweighs the risk
  • Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding — it is not known whether topically applied desonide passes into breast milk, so use with caution
  • Desonide Gel is not recommended for infants younger than 3 months of age — safety and effectiveness have not been established in this age group
  • Children are at greater risk of HPA axis suppression, Cushing's syndrome, growth retardation, and intracranial hypertension — monitor closely and use for the shortest time needed
  • Tell your doctor if you have liver failure — this can increase how much desonide is absorbed through the skin
  • Older adults should use with care; age-related changes in organ function and the use of other medications may affect how the drug works
🚑If you take too much▾

Although desonide is applied to the skin and not taken by mouth, too much can be absorbed into the body if used over large areas, for long periods, or under tight coverings. This can cause systemic (whole-body) effects similar to taking too much steroid internally — including adrenal gland suppression. If you suspect overuse or notice symptoms like unusual fatigue or weakness, contact your doctor.

📡Pharmacodynamics — effects in the body▾

In a clinical study of desonide gel, one out of 37 pediatric subjects (3%) who applied it twice daily for 4 weeks over at least 35% of their body surface area showed evidence of adrenal gland suppression based on a stimulation test. It was not known whether this suppression reversed after stopping the medication. This finding confirms that even a low-potency topical steroid like desonide can have measurable effects on the body's hormone system when used extensively.

🔬Pharmacokinetics — how your body processes it▾

How much desonide is absorbed through the skin depends on several factors — including the specific product formulation, the condition of the skin barrier, and whether the area is covered with an occlusive dressing. Inflamed or damaged skin allows more of the medication to pass through. Desonide cream and ointment are considered low-potency formulations, meaning less medication is absorbed compared to stronger topical steroids. Covering treated skin tightly for extended periods can significantly increase absorption.

📦How to store it▾

Store between 2° and 30°C (36° and 86°F).

📄 Written from Desonide’s FDA-approved label information, summarized in plain language with AI, and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Every point is grounded in that labeling — nothing is invented. How we use AI →

🩺 Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Desonide — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

What skin problems is desonide actually used for? ▾
Desonide is a mild topical steroid used to calm inflamed, itchy skin. Desonide gel is specifically approved for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis — commonly called eczema — in babies as young as 3 months and older. The cream and ointment forms are used more broadly for a range of skin conditions that respond to steroid treatment, such as inflammatory rashes and dermatitis. Your doctor or pharmacist can help confirm whether it's the right choice for your specific skin issue.
How do I apply desonide correctly? ▾
Apply a thin layer to the affected skin only — you don't need a thick coat. The gel is typically used twice a day; the cream or ointment may be used two to four times a day depending on how severe your symptoms are. Rub it in gently, avoid your eyes and mucous membranes, and don't wrap the area with tight coverings like plastic wrap unless your doctor specifically tells you to. Always follow the directions on your prescription label.
How long can I use desonide? ▾
Desonide is meant to be used for the shortest time needed to get your skin under control. The gel form should not be used for more than 4 consecutive weeks. The cream and ointment should not be used for longer than 2 weeks unless your doctor directs otherwise. Once your skin clears up, stop using it. If you're not seeing improvement within the recommended timeframe, check back with your doctor — the diagnosis may need to be reconsidered.
Is it safe to use desonide on my child? ▾
Desonide is one of the milder topical steroids and is approved for use in children — desonide gel can be used in babies as young as 3 months. That said, children do absorb more steroid through their skin relative to their body size, which means they're at greater risk of side effects like slowed growth or effects on their adrenal glands if it's overused. Use it only as directed by your child's doctor, for as short a time as possible, and avoid covering the treated area with diapers or tight clothing that acts like an occlusive dressing.
What side effects should I watch for? ▾
The most common side effects are mild and local — a little burning, stinging, or itching right where you apply it. With prolonged use, you might notice skin thinning, stretch marks, or lightening of the skin color in that area — some of these can be permanent, so it's important not to overuse it. If you notice the skin getting worse instead of better, developing an infection, or if you or your child seem unusually tired or unwell, contact your doctor.
Can I use desonide if I am pregnant or breastfeeding? ▾
If you're pregnant, desonide should only be used if your doctor decides the benefit outweighs the potential risk — animal studies have shown possible effects on fetal development, though there are no well-controlled studies in pregnant women. If you're breastfeeding, it's not known whether enough medication absorbs through the skin to pass into breast milk, so use caution and talk to your doctor first. Always let your healthcare team know before using any steroid medication during pregnancy or while nursing.
Is Desonide available over the counter? ▾
Desonide is dispensed by prescription according to its FDA labeling, so it isn't sold over the counter. Your prescriber and pharmacist will determine if it's appropriate for you.
When was Desonide first available? ▾
Desonide has been available in the United States since at least 1972, based on FDA approval history (Drugs@FDA) and product marketing records.
Who makes Desonide? ▾
Desonide is supplied by 38 manufacturers listed in the FDA NDC Directory, including Bryant Ranch Prepack, Alembic Pharmaceuticals Inc., Taro Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc..

💬 Answers drafted from Desonide’s FDA-approved label information, summarized in plain language with AI, and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Grounded in that labeling — nothing is made up. How we use AI →

🧰 Keep exploring

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💊 How Desonide comes

Desonide is available in 2 forms. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Topical cream, ointment or gel

By mouth · On the skin
Brands DesOwen Desrx Tridesilon Cream
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Desonide cream and ointment are indicated for the relief of inflammation and itching caused by corticosteroid-responsive skin conditions
  • Desonide cream and lotion are indicated as low to medium potency corticosteroids for inflammatory and itchy skin conditions
Important instructions
  • Desonide cream or ointment: Apply a thin film to the affected area two to four times daily depending on severity
  • Desonide cream: Do not use with occlusive dressings
  • Desonide cream or ointment: Discontinue use once the condition is controlled
  • Desonide cream or ointment: If no improvement after two weeks, contact your doctor for reassessment
Available strengths 4 strengths
0.5 mg/g 0.5 mg/mL 0.03 g/60 g 1 kg/kg
70 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Inhaler

On the skin
Brands Verdeso
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Verdeso (desonide gel) is indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in patients 3 months of age and older
Important instructions
  • Verdeso: Apply a thin layer to the affected area twice daily and rub in gently
  • Verdeso: Do not use with occlusive dressings (airtight coverings)
  • Verdeso: Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes
  • Verdeso: Treatment beyond 4 consecutive weeks is not recommended
Available strengths 1 strength
0.5 mg/g
1 FDA-listed product record ⓘ

📊 Desonide across the U.S. market

How Desonide appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

2
Dose forms ⓘ
38
Manufacturers
6
Brand names
80
FDA-listed product records ⓘ
1972
First marketed ⓘ

FDA-listed product records by dose form (tablet variants merged) — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

Also listed with the FDA, not a patient dose form: Powder (9) — bulk drug substance sold to compounders/manufacturers and multi-item kits. These aren’t counted in the dose-form total above.

Bryant Ranch Prepack13%
Alembic Pharmaceuticals Inc.8%
Taro Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.6%
Northstar Rx Llc6%
Actavis Pharma, Inc.5%
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA4%
Other makers59%

Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

📈 How widely Desonide is used

A general measure of how commonly Desonide is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

Think of this as a proxy for how widely Desonide is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

133,862
Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q1–Q4 2025)
$3.6M gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

How commonly is Desonide prescribed? Of the 1,594 medications we measure, Desonide ranks #464 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 71% of them.

Where Desonide ranks among the drugs we measure · Q1–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5
Total prescriptions — #464 of 1,594
#459 Lubiprostone 135,857 Rx #460 Hydroxyurea 135,027 Rx #461 Leucovorin 134,894 Rx #462 Ranolazine 134,744 Rx #463 Dextromethorphan and B... 134,150 Rx #464 Desonide Topical 133,862 Rx #465 Desonide 133,862 Rx #466 Liothyronine 133,453 Rx #467 Dextroamphetamine 132,973 Rx #468 Epinephrine / Lidocain... 132,083 Rx #469 Tranexamic Acid 131,595 Rx

Utilization by Desonide product

Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.

The 0.5 mg/mL topical cream is the most-dispensed Desonide product — about 51% of these Medicaid prescriptions.

desonide 0.5 MG/ML Topical Cream Most dispensed

68,821 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 51% of Desonide prescriptions shown $1.8M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $26 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 12 of 29 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 349351

desonide 0.0005 MG/MG Topical Ointment

62,624 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 47% of Desonide prescriptions shown $1.7M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $27 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 10 of 26 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 204135

desonide 0.5 MG/ML Topical Lotion

2,417 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 2% of Desonide prescriptions shown $159,245 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $66 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 6 of 15 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 197572

Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.

Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Desonide, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 28 of 70 listed Desonide NDCs with Medicaid activity.

🔍 Compare Desonide products

A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Desonide — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

Showing 80 of 80 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 80 Desonide NDCs →

RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength

This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.

Ingredient (IN) Desonide RxCUI 3254 6 dose forms · 6 strengths
  1. Dose form (SCDF) Otic Solution RxCUI 654357 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 0.5 MG/ML RxCUI 654358
  2. Dose form (SCDF) Topical Cream RxCUI 377668 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 0.5 MG/ML RxCUI 349351
  3. Dose form (SCDF) Topical Foam RxCUI 668349 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 0.5 MG/ML RxCUI 668350
  4. Dose form (SCDF) Topical Gel RxCUI 438864 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 0.0005 MG/MG RxCUI 669081
  5. Dose form (SCDF) Topical Lotion RxCUI 378605 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 0.5 MG/ML RxCUI 197572
  6. Dose form (SCDF) Topical Ointment RxCUI 378983 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 0.0005 MG/MG RxCUI 204135

Look up RxCUI 3254 in the RxCUI Atlas →

RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.

🏷️ Sold under these brand names

Tridesilon DesOwen Lokara Verdeso Desrx Tridesilon Cream

🏭 Manufacturers & labelers

Bryant Ranch Prepack 10 Alembic Pharmaceuticals Inc. 6 Taro Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. 5 Northstar Rx Llc 5 Actavis Pharma, Inc. 4 Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA 3 Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. 3 Padagis Israel Pharmaceuticals Ltd 3 Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited 3 Zydus Lifesciences Limited 2 Alembic Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2 Proficient Rx LP 2 Hubei Gedian Humanwell Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. 2 Galderma Laboratories, L.P. 2 Advanced Rx of Tennessee, LLC 2 E. Fougera & Co. a division of Fougera Pharmaceuticals Inc. 2 Aleor Dermaceuticals Limited 2 Viona Pharmaceuticals Inc 2 Symbiotica Speciality Ingredients Sdn.bhd 1 Symbiotec Pharmalab Limited 1 Teligent Pharma, Inc. 1 Advanced Rx Pharmacy of Tennessee, LLC 1 Unit Dose Services 1 Sicor S.r.l. 1

…and 14 more on the FDA NDC directory.

RxNorm drug class

Desonide belongs to the Corticosteroid class.

Pharmacologic class Corticosteroid
Drug family (ATC) Corticosteroids, moderately potent (group II), Corticosteroids, plain
How it works Corticosteroid Hormone Receptor Agonists

Classified by RxNorm RxClass — the U.S. National Library of Medicine's standardized drug-classification service (Established Pharmacologic Class from the FDA, the ATC drug family from the WHO, and mechanism of action). Reference only, not medical advice.

🔬 Where this comes from

Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

📄
FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Sep 8, 2025
🏭
Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Desonide.
📈
Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
🚨
Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Desonide after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
Clinical labels in scope
25
NDC products indexed
80
Distinct labelers/manufacturers represented
38
Linked representative label ⓘ
Actavis Pharma, Inc.
Linked label effective
Sep 8, 2025
Composite sections available
21
Linked SPL Set ID
ff5d4cd8-ab4d-4a9e-b84b-445c81eeea99
Linked SPL Document ID
f3953b9e-138f-4d86-8eea-0fc03c3c2747
Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗

How we combine label and product data

HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records; we don’t author the underlying clinical facts. We identified 25 FDA-filed SPL label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. The representative label is the starting point for the displayed reference monograph; the 12 largest stored in-scope SPL records, which may include that representative, are compared section by section, and the longest available version of each section is retained. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, product-listed strengths, and product-record counts are aggregated separately from ingredient-matched FDA NDC Directory records; package records listed above are associated with the linked SPL; and the normalized concept hierarchy comes from NLM RxNorm.

For canonical ingredient pages, bounded product-attributed indication and administration excerpts may be added to the AI evidence, and the generator is instructed to preserve available product, brand, route, and form qualifiers instead of treating one label as universal. Where a section is identified as AI-written, its plain-language text is generated from bounded label evidence. New draft drug pages remain in the admin review queue before first publication. Actavis Pharma, Inc. is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates; it is not the sole source used for the page.

This is general education, not medical advice — always consult your doctor or pharmacist about your medications and any medical condition. For the exact wording of the linked representative label, view that label on DailyMed; some displayed composite sections may come from other in-scope SPL labels. Learn how we use AI and our data sources & update cadence.