Desonide

Desonide cream, 0.05% is a low potency corticosteroid indicated for the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid responsive dermatoses.

Prescribing label

Selected manufacturer label information, organised into consistent sections by Sofidex. This source is written for healthcare professionals; ask your pharmacist to explain instructions that are unclear. Read the full label at DailyMed ↗

Drug facts

Used for: Desonide cream, 0.05% is a low potency corticosteroid indicated for the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid responsive dermatoses.
How to take it: 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…
Do not take if: Desonide Cream, 0.5% is contraindicated in those patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any of the components of the preparation.

What it is used for

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.

How to take it

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.

Side effects, and when to stop

In controlled clinical trials, the total incidence of adverse reactions associated with the use of Desonide Cream, 0.05% was approximately 1%. These adverse reactions 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. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Cosette Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-800-922-1038 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Who should not take it

Desonide Cream, 0.5% is contraindicated in those patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any of the components of the preparation.

General

Systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids can produce reversible hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression with the potential for glucocorticosteroid insufficiency after withdrawal of treatment. Manifestations of Cushing’s syndrome, hyperglycemia, and glucosuria can also be produced in some patients by systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids while on treatment. Patients applying a topical steroid to a large surface area or to areas under occlusion should be evaluated periodically for evidence of HPA axis suppression. This may be done by using the ACTH stimulation, A.M. plasma cortisol, and urinary free cortisol tests. Patients receiving superpotent corticosteroids should not be treated for more than two weeks at a time and only small areas should be treated at any one time due to the increased risk of HPA suppressions. One of ten patients treated for one week under occlusion (30% of body surface) with Desonide Cream, 0.05% developed HPA axis suppression as determined by metapyrone testing. If HPA axis suppression is noted, an attempt should be made to withdraw the drug, to reduce the frequency of application, or to substitute a less potent corticosteroid. Recovery of HPA axis function is generally prompt upon discontinuation of topical corticosteroids. Infrequently, signs and symptoms of glucocorticosteroid insufficiency may occur requiring supplemental systemic corticosteroids. For information on systemic supplementation, see prescribing information for those products. Pediatric patients may be more susceptible to systemic toxicity from equivalent doses due to their larger skin surface to body mass ratios (see PRECAUTIONS – Pediatric Use ). If irritation develops, Desonide Cream, 0.05% should be discontinued and appropriate therapy instituted. Allergic contact dermatitis with corticosteroids is usually diagnosed by observing a failure to heal rather than noting a clinical exacerbation as with most topical products not containing corticosteroids. Such an observation should be corroborated with appropriate diagnostic patch testing. If concomitant skin infections are present or develop, an appropriate antifungal or antibacterial agent should be used. If a favorable response does not occur promptly, use of Desonide Cream, 0.05% should be discontinued until the infection has been adequately controlled. Desonide Cream, 0.05% should not be used in the presence of infection at the treatment site, hypersensitivity to corticosteroids, or pre-existing skin atrophy. Desonide Cream, 0.05% should not be used in the eyes. FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY.

Cite this page

NLM: sofidex [Internet]. Daloreum; c2026. Desonide; [reviewed 2026 Aug 2; cited 2026 Nov 10]. Available from: https://sofidex.com/patients/medicines/desonide
APA 7th: sofidex. (2026, August 2). Desonide. Daloreum. Retrieved November 10, 2026, from https://sofidex.com/patients/medicines/desonide
AMA 11th: Desonide. sofidex. Reviewed August 2, 2026. Accessed November 10, 2026. https://sofidex.com/patients/medicines/desonide

The cited date is today’s, because a citation records when you read the page. The reviewed date is when a clinician last checked it.