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Home > Drug Category > Skin Medications (Topical/Oral) > Desowen and Equivalent

Desowen Information

Desowen (desonide topical) is a corticosteroid medication applied to the skin. It is primarily used to relieve the itching, redness, dryness, crusting, scaling, inflammation, and discomfort of various skin conditions, including eczema (atopic dermatitis), psoriasis, and contact dermatitis. Desowen works by activating natural substances in the skin to reduce swelling, redness, and itching. As a low-potency corticosteroid, it is often favoured for sensitive areas or prolonged use when a milder effect is desired compared to more potent corticosteroids. It helps to calm the overactive immune response in the skin that leads to inflammatory symptoms, thereby restoring a more normal appearance and sensation to the affected areas.

Desowen Side Effects

The most common side effects of Desowen may include mild burning, itching, irritation, or stinging at the application site, as well as dryness, redness, increased hair growth in treatment areas, skin discolouration, or thinning of the skin. These local skin reactions are usually mild and temporary. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the serious side effects, such as:
• Allergic reactions (e.g., rash, hives, severe itching, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, difficulty breathing);
• Cushing's syndrome (signs of too much corticosteroid being absorbed into the body, especially with prolonged or extensive use, including round face, hump on upper back, weakness, easy bruising, and changes in mood);
• Skin infection (e.g., pus, spreading redness, fever);
• Stretch marks (striae) or severe skin thinning in treated areas may become permanent.

Desowen Precautions

Do not use Desowen if you are allergic to desonide, other corticosteroids, or any of its ingredients. Before you start using this medication, tell your doctor about your medical history, including if you have any skin infection (bacterial, fungal, or viral), as corticosteroids can worsen infections; Cushing's syndrome or other adrenal gland problems; diabetes (large amounts of corticosteroids on the skin could rarely affect blood sugar); glaucoma or cataracts (if applying near the eyes, as absorption can affect intraocular pressure); liver disease; thinning of the skin (atrophy) in the area to be treated; or tuberculosis of the skin. Tell your doctor about all your medications, including prescription, OTC, herbal supplements, and vitamins. There are generally no significant systemic drug interactions with topical desonide when used as directed, due to minimal systemic absorption. However, always inform your doctor about all topical products you are using, especially if they are applied to the same area of skin. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant before using Desowen. The safety of topical corticosteroids during pregnancy has not been fully established, and they should be used only if the potential benefits outweigh the possible risks to the fetus. Avoid large amounts, prolonged use, or application over large body areas if pregnant. Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed before using Desowen. It is unknown if topical desonide passes into breast milk or if it may harm a nursing infant. Avoid applying the medication to areas where the infant may ingest it. The safety and effectiveness of Desowen in pediatric patients (especially infants and young children) should be carefully considered, as they may absorb larger amounts of the medication and be more susceptible to systemic side effects. Use on children should be for the shortest duration and the least amount possible. Consult your doctor for more specific treatment guidelines for children.

Use your medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Desowen comes in various forms, including cream, ointment, foam, and lotion. Wash and dry the affected area of skin before applying. Apply a thin layer of the medication to the affected skin, typically once or twice daily, and wholly and gently rub it in. Do not apply to the eyes, inside the nose or mouth, or to deep open wounds. Do not bandage, cover, or wrap the treated area unless specifically instructed to do so by your doctor, especially when treating infants or young children, as this can increase absorption. Do not use this medication for longer than prescribed, or on larger areas of the body than instructed. You may notice improvement within a few days to two weeks. Continue using the medication for the full prescribed duration, even if symptoms improve, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Store Desowen at room temperature, away from moisture and heat, and keep it tightly closed. Keep all medicines out of reach of children.

Do I need a prescription to order Desowen?

Yes, a prescription is required from your physician to order Desowen.