Desonide .5 mg/g Cream
🆔 Identity & classification
Where does this data come from?
🏷️ RxNorm drug class
This medicine belongs to the Corticosteroid class.
Where does this data come from?
🏭 Manufacturer & labeler
Where does this data come from?
🩺 Clinical
- 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 bab...
- What skin problems is desonide actually used for?
- 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 dependi...
- 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...
Patient education
Supplement & herbal interactions
Some supplements/herbs that may interact with Desonide — tap one for details:
Where does this data come from?
Ask a licensed pharmacist directly — free, answered by our team.
🧪 Inactive Ingredients / Excipients
Inactive ingredients, also called excipients, are components of the drug product other than the active ingredient. They may include fillers, dyes, coatings, preservatives, flavors, or other formulation ingredients.
Where does this data come from?
IACT rows and label-wide narrative are kept separate; availability and product-level specificity depend on the submitted label.Inactive ingredient FAQ
Are inactive ingredients the same for every manufacturer?
Why might an inactive ingredient be missing?
Can inactive ingredients matter?
💲 Pricing
A drug doesn't have one price. Each row is a different public payment system, and none is what you'd pay at the counter — that depends on your insurance. The ⓘ on each row explains what it measures.
| Price system | Per g | Per package |
|---|---|---|
| Retail pharmacies payNADAC · weekly | $0.200 | $11.98 / 60 g |
| Medicaid paysCMS SDUD · 12 mo | $0.5128 | $30.77 / 60 g |
| Medicare drug plans payPart D · Q2 2026 | $0.6421 | $38.53 / 60 g |
Where does this data come from?
🔁 Therapeutic equivalents
| Product | Labeler | Pack | NADAC/unit | TE | Status | Price vs. this |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desonide .5 mg/gthis 16714-0729-02 | NORTHSTAR | 1 tube | $0.200 | AB | Availability likely | — |
| Desonide .5 mg/g 00472-0804-15 | Actavis | 1 tube | $0.266 | AB | Discontinued | +33% |
| Desonide .5 mg/g 00713-0661-15 | Cosette | 1 tube | $0.302 | AB | Availability likely | +52% |
| Desonide .5 mg/g 51672-1280-01 | Sun | 1 tube | $0.302 | AB | Availability likely | +52% |
| Desonide .5 mg/g 62332-0632-15 | Alembic | 1 tube | $0.302 | AB | Availability likely | +52% |
| Desonide .5 mg/g 72578-0086-01 | Viona | 1 tube | $0.302 | AB | Availability likely | +52% |
| Desonide .5 mg/g 45802-0423-35 | Padagis | 1 tube | $0.410 | AB | Availability likely | +105% |
| Desonide .5 mg/g 72603-0164-01 | NORTHSTAR | 1 tube | $0.410 | AB | Availability likely | +105% |
| Desonide .5 mg/g 51672-1281-01 | Sun | 1 tube | $0.410 | AB | Availability likely | +105% |
| Desonide .5 mg/g 62332-0485-15 | Alembic | 1 tube | $0.410 | AB | Availability likely | +105% |
| Desonide .5 mg/g 46708-0632-15 | Alembic | 1 tube | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Desonide .5 mg/g 63187-0747-15 | Proficient | 1 tube | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Desonide .5 mg/g 63629-2506-01 | Bryant | 1 tube | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Desonide .5 mg/g 63629-2507-01 | Bryant | 1 tube | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Tridesilon Cream .03 g/60g 69482-0600-60 | Encore | 1 tube | — | — | FDA listed | — |
| Desonide .5 mg/g 70771-1381-01 | Zydus | 1 tube | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Desonide .5 mg/g 72162-2005-02 | Bryant | 1 tube | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Desonide .5 mg/g 80425-0371-01 | Advanced | 1 tube | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Desonide .5 mg/g 80425-0418-01 | Advanced | 1 tube | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Desonide .5 mg/g 24470-0920-60 | Cintex | 1 tube | — | — | FDA listed | — |
| Desonide .5 mg/g 46708-0485-15 | Alembic | 1 tube | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
Where does this data come from?
⏳ Availability & generic status
This product is an FDA-approved generic. Other versions of the same drug are listed under Therapeutic equivalents, least expensive first.
Where does this data come from?
🗺️ Medicaid utilization & spend
💊 Medicaid utilization by pack size
📊 Medicare Part D spend CMS · PART D · 2026 (Q1)
🔬 Reported adverse events (FAERS)
Top reported reactions
Reporter sex
Serious outcomes
Where does this data come from?
📦 Packaging — all sizes for this product
| Package NDC | Description | Per unit | Per pack | Marketing start | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16714-0729-01 | 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (16714-729-01) / 15 g in 1 TUBE | $0.3025 / g | $4.54 | 2017-06-01 | Active |
| 16714-0729-02 You're viewing this | 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (16714-729-02) / 60 g in 1 TUBE | $0.1996 / g | $11.98 | 2017-06-01 | Active |
This pack has the lowest per-g cost of the 2 priced pack sizes ($0.1996 NADAC).
This pack accounts for about 47% of this product's recent Medicaid fills; most go to a different pack size. See all packs ↓
Pack size FAQ
What quantity is in NDC 16714-0729-02?
What NDC number is used to bill for this package of Desonide .5 mg/g Cream?
Prices are the latest CMS NADAC pharmacy acquisition cost per NDC; per-pack figures are per-unit × pack quantity, shown only when the pack is denominated in the same measure NADAC prices.
📄 Full prescribing information FDA SPL
🎯 Indications and Usage ▾
INDICATIONS AND USAGE Desonide cream, 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.
⏱️ Dosage and Administration ▾
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Desonide cream, 0.05% should be applied to the affected area as a thin film two to four times daily depending on the severity of the condition. As with other corticosteroids, therapy should be discontinued when control is achieved. If no improvement is seen within two weeks, reassessment of diagnosis may be necessary. Desonide cream, 0.05% should not be used with occlusive dressings.
⛔ Contraindications ▾
CONTRAINDICATIONS Desonide cream, 0.05% is contraindicated in those patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any of the components of the preparation.
🤒 Adverse Reactions ▾
ADVERSE REACTIONS In controlled clinical trials, the total incidence of adverse reactions associated with the use of desonide cream, 0.05% was approximately 1%. The adverse reactions for desonide cream, 0.05% were pruritus, pain, folliculitis, rash, peripheral edema, pustular rash, sweating, erythema, irritation, and burning. Laboratory abnormalities were found in 3% of the patients.
These were hyperglycemia (2%) and liver function abnormality (1%). The following additional local adverse reactions have been reported infrequently with topical corticosteroids, and they may occur more frequently with the use of occlusive dressings and higher potency corticosteroids. These reactions are listed in approximate decreasing order of occurrence: dryness, folliculitis, acneiform eruptions, perioral dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, secondary infection, skin atrophy, striae, miliaria, burning and hypopigmentation.
🤰 Pregnancy ▾
Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects Corticosteroids have been shown to be teratogenic in laboratory animals when administered systemically at relatively low dosage levels. Some corticosteroids have been shown to be teratogenic after dermal application in laboratory animals. Animal reproductive studies have not been conducted with desonide cream, 0.05%.
It is also not known whether desonide cream, 0.05% can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Desonide cream, 0.05% should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
🧒 Pediatric Use ▾
Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established. Because of a higher ratio of skin surface area to body mass, pediatric patients are at a greater risk than adults of HPA axis suppression and Cushing's syndrome when they are treated with topical corticosteroids. They are therefore also at greater risk of adrenal insufficiency during or after withdrawal of treatment.
Adverse effects including striae have been reported with inappropriate use of topical corticosteroids in infants and children. HPA axis suppression, Cushing's syndrome, linear growth retardation, delayed weight gain and intracranial hypertension have been reported in children receiving topical corticosteroids. Manifestations of adrenal suppression in children include low plasma cortisol levels and absence of response to ACTH stimulation.
Manifestations of intracranial hypertension include bulging fontanelles, headaches, and bilateral papilledema.
🆘 Overdosage ▾
OVERDOSAGE Topically applied desonide cream, 0.05% can be absorbed in sufficient amounts to produce systemic effects (see PRECAUTIONS ).
🧬 Clinical Pharmacology ▾
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Like other topical corticosteroids, desonide has anti-inflammatory, antipruritic and vasoconstrictive properties. The mechanism of the anti-inflammatory activity of the topical steroids, in general, is unclear. However corticosteroids are thought to act by the induction of phospholipase A 2 inhibitory proteins, collectively called lipocortins.
It is postulated that these proteins control the biosynthesis of potent mediators of inflammation such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes by inhibiting the release of their common precursor arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid is released from membrane phospholipids by phospholipase A 2 . Pharmacokinetics The extent of percutaneous absorption of topical corticosteroids is determined by many factors, including the vehicle and the integrity of the epidermal barrier.
Occlusive dressings with hydrocortisone for up to 24 hours have not been demonstrated to increase penetration; however, occlusion of hydrocortisone for 96 hours markedly enhances penetration. Topical corticosteroids can be absorbed from normal intact skin. Inflammation and/or other disease processes in the skin may increase percutaneous absorption.
Studies performed with desonide cream, 0.05% indicate that it is in the low range of potency as compared with other topical corticosteroids.
📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling ▾
HOW SUPPLIED Desonide Cream, 0.05% is supplied in 15 g (NDC 16714-729-01) tubes. Desonide Cream, 0.05% is supplied in 60 g (NDC 16714-729-02) tubes. STORAGE Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Protect from freezing.
📦 Storage and Handling ▾
STORAGE Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Protect from freezing.
📋 Description ▾
DESCRIPTION Desonide Cream, 0.05% contains desonide (Pregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione,11,21-dihydroxy-16,17-[(1-methylethylidene)bis(oxy)]-,(11β,16α-)) a synthetic corticosteroid for topical dermatologic use. The corticosteroids constitute a class of primary synthetic steroids used topically as anti-inflammatory and antipruritic agents. Chemically, desonide, the active ingredient in Desonide Cream, 0.05%, is C 24 H 32 O 6 .
It has the following structural formula: The molecular weight of desonide is 416.51. It is a white to off-white odorless powder which is soluble in methanol and practically insoluble in water. Each gram of Desonide Cream, 0.05% contains 0.5 milligram of desonide in a compatible vehicle buffered to the pH range of normal skin.
It contains aluminum acetate basic, cetearyl alcohol/sodium lauryl sulfate/sodium cetearyl sulfate, glycerin, mineral oil, purified water, white petrolatum and white wax. It is preserved with methylparaben. Chemical Structure
💬 Information for Patients ▾
Information for Patients Patients using topical corticosteroids should receive the following information and instructions: This medication is to be used as directed by the physician. It is for external use only. Avoid contact with the eyes.
This medication should not be used for any disorder other than that for which it was prescribed. The treated skin area should not be bandaged, or otherwise covered or wrapped, so as to be occlusive unless directed by the physician. Patients should report to their physician any signs of local adverse reactions.