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Eczema

What to Do When Topical Eczema Medications Aren't Enough

Talk with your dermatologist about what they recommend, and the risks and benefits of each.

Lauren Smith, MAPatricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH
Written by Lauren Smith, MA | Reviewed by Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH
Updated on December 22, 2025
Reviewed by Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH | December 17, 2025

Topical medications are a common treatment for atopic dermatitis (eczema), and there are many types to choose from. If you don’t see improvement from topical treatments, it may be time to try other options.

In this video, learn about oral medications, injectable biologics, and phototherapy, which can help treat moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.

References

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Lauren Smith, MA
Written by:
Lauren Smith, MA
Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.
Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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