What is Desonide?

Desonide topical is used to help relieve redness, itching, swelling, or other discomfort caused by skin conditions (e.g., atopic dermatitis). This medicine is a corticosteroid (cortisone-like medicine or steroid).

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

It is very important that you use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may cause unwanted side effects or skin irritation.

This medicine is for use on the skin only. Do not get it in your eyes, nose, mouth, or vagina. Do not use it on skin areas that have cuts, scrapes, or burns. If it does get on these areas, rinse it off right away with water.

This medicine should only be used for skin conditions that your doctor is treating. Check with your doctor before using it for other conditions, especially if you think that a skin infection may be present. This medicine should not be used to treat certain kinds of skin infections or conditions, such as severe burns.

Do not use the topical gel on the groin or underarms unless directed to do so by your doctor, and do not use this form for more than 4 weeks.

To use cream, gel, lotion, or ointment:

• Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
• Apply a thin layer of this medicine to the affected area of the skin. Rub it in gently.
• With the lotion, protect the skin from water, clothing, or anything that causes rubbing until the medicine has dried. Also, shake the lotion well before using it.
• Do not bandage or otherwise wrap the skin being treated unless directed to do so by your doctor.
• If the medicine is applied to the diaper area of an infant, do not use tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants unless directed to do so by your doctor.

To use the foam:

• Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
• Shake the foam well before using it.
• Do not put the foam directly on your face. Turn the can upside down and place a small amount of medicine in your hands. Massage it gently into the affected areas of the face until the medicine has dried. For areas other than the face, you may put it directly on the affected area.
• Do not wash or rinse the treated area right after applying the medicine.
• Do not use this medicine near heat, an open flame, or while smoking.

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For atopic dermatitis:
  • For topical dosage forms (foam or gel):
    • Adults and teenagers—Apply to the affected area of the skin two times per day.
    • Children 3 months of age and older—Apply to the affected area of the skin two times per day.
    • Children younger than 3 months of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For redness, itching, and swelling of the skin:
  • For topical dosage forms (cream, ointment, or lotion):
    • Adults—Apply to the affected area of the skin two or three times per day.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Store the foam can at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Do not keep this medicine inside a car where it could be exposed to extreme heat. Do not poke holes in the canister or throw it into a fire, even if the canister is empty.

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of desonide topical foam or gel in children 3 months of age and older. However, because of this medicine's toxicity, it should be used with caution. Children may absorb large amounts through the skin, which can cause serious side effects. If your child is using this medicine, follow your doctor's instructions very carefully. For the foam and gel forms, safety and efficacy have not been established in infants younger than 3 months of age. The safety and efficacy of desonide topical cream, lotion, and ointment have not been established in children and use is not recommended.

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of desonide topical cream, ointment, or lotion in geriatric patients.

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of desonide topical foam or gel in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney, liver, or heart problems, which may require caution in patients receiving desonide topical foam or gel.

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Cushing's syndrome (adrenal gland disorder) or
• Diabetes or
• Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) or
• Intracranial hypertension (increased pressure in the head)—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

• Infection of the skin at or near the place of application or
• Large sores, broken skin, or severe skin injury at the place of application—The chance of side effects may be increased.

It is very important that your doctor check the progress of you or your child at regular visits for any unwanted effects that may be caused by this medicine.

If your or your child's symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Using too much of this medicine or using it for a long time may increase your risk of having adrenal gland problems. The risk is greater for children and patients who use large amounts for a long time. Talk to your doctor right away if you or your child have more than one of these symptoms while you are using this medicine: blurred vision; dizziness or fainting; a fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat; increased thirst or urination; irritability; or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you or your child have a skin rash, burning, stinging, swelling, or irritation on the skin.

Make sure your doctor knows that you are using desonide foam. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before having surgery.

Do not use cosmetics or other skin care products on the treated areas.