Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW): Symptoms, Causes, and Prevention
Topical steroid withdrawal (TSW), also known as red skin syndrome, is a rare reaction that may occur after stopping topical steroid medications.
desoximetasone
Used for Eczema, Itching, Psoriasis, Skin Allergy
Used for Eczema, Itching, Psoriasis, Skin Allergy
Desoximetasone, also known by its brand name, Topicort, is a topical corticosteroid that's used to treat inflammatory skin conditions. It works by lowering certain chemicals in your body that cause inflammation. Desoximetasone (Topicort) comes as a brand-name and generic cream, ointment, gel, and spray. It's applied to the affected area(s) of the skin twice per day. Side effects aren't common but can include skin irritation and burning.
What is Desoximetasone (Topicort)?
What is Desoximetasone (Topicort) used for?
- Inflammatory skin conditions
- Plaque psoriasis in adults - desoximetasone spray (Topicort Spray) only
How Desoximetasone (Topicort) works
Desoximetasone (Topicort) is a topical corticosteroid, or also known as a topical steroid. It lowers the amount of certain chemicals in the body that cause inflammation (swelling, redness, and itchiness) in your skin. This helps treat flare-ups of skin conditions, such as plaque psoriasis.
When does Desoximetasone (Topicort) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Topicort |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Corticosteroid |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Desoximetasone (Topicort)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Side effects aren't common. See Other Side Effects.
Less Common Side Effects
- Burning
- Itching
- Skin irritation
- Dry skin
- Skin redness
When do Desoximetasone (Topicort) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
M
H
D
W
M
Burning of the skin
Itchy skin
Dry skin
Skin redness
The following Desoximetasone (Topicort) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
Flushing or redness of the skin
redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
unusually warm skin
Incidence not known
Blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin
irritation
itching, scaling, severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin
redness and scaling around the mouth
thinning of the skin with easy bruising, especially when used on the face or where the skin folds together (eg, between the fingers)
thinning, weakness, or wasting away of the skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Incidence not known
burning and itching of the skin with pinhead-sized red blisters
increased hair growth on the forehead, back, arms, and legs
lightening of normal skin color
lightening of treated areas of dark skin
reddish purple lines on the arms, face, legs, trunk, or groin
softening of the skin
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$51.32
GoodRx discount
$14.42
Pros and cons of Desoximetasone (Topicort)
Pros
- Available in different forms (cream, gel, ointment, spray)
- Available as a lower-cost generic
- Few side effects
Cons
- Must apply to the affected area of skin twice per day
- Not for long-term use because of a higher risk of side effects
Pharmacist tips for Desoximetasone (Topicort)
- Make sure to apply desoximetasone (Topicort) for the entire time your prescriber told you to. Contact your prescriber if you've used the medication for 4 weeks and your condition hasn't improved. Using it for longer periods of time raises your risk of side effects like skin thinning or redness. You might need to switch to a different treatment plan.
- Desoximetasone (Topicort) is a medium-to-high potency steroid, depending on which form of the medication you have. Use the least amount of medication possible for the shortest amount of time to treat your skin condition. This helps avoid side effects, such as skin thinning and irritation, which might be more likely to happen with stronger steroids. Only use desoximetasone (Topicort) as prescribed.
- Only apply the smallest amount of desoximetasone (Topicort) needed to cover the affected area(s) of your skin. Be sure to rub the medication into your skin gently and completely.
- Only apply desoximetasone (Topicort) onto your skin. Don't put the medication on broken skin, near your eyes, or in your mouth or vagina. Also, don't apply the topical spray on the face, armpits, or groin. Applying desoximetasone (Topicort) to these sensitive areas can cause irritation. It can also get more medication absorbed into your body, which can raise your risk of side effects.
- Wash your hands well after you apply desoximetasone (Topicort) to your skin. This helps prevent the medication from getting in your eyes. If desoximetasone (Topicort) gets in your eyes, rinse them well with water for at least 15 minutes.
- Don't place bandages or dressings over the areas where you've applied desoximetasone (Topicort) unless your prescriber instructed you to. Wrapping the treated area with tight bandages or dressings can cause more medication to get absorbed into your body than intended. This can raise your risk of side effects like burning and irritation.
- Don't apply other topical steroids to the skin while you're using desoximetasone (Topicort) unless your prescriber specifically said it's safe for you. Applying more than one topical steroid can raise your risk for side effects.
- Make sure to tell your healthcare professional if you're pregnant or breastfeeding before you start treatment with desoximetasone (Topicort). Discuss the risks and benefits of using this medication with your healthcare professional.
- For the topical spray only: Keep the topical spray away from heat or an open flame because it's flammable. Throw away the spray bottle 30 days after you open it.
Risks and warnings for Desoximetasone (Topicort)
Desoximetasone (Topicort) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Altered stress hormone levels
- Risk factors: Applying desoximetasone (Topicort) to large areas of the body | Applying desoximetasone (Topicort) for a long time | Applying more than one topical steroid onto the skin | Covering the medicated area | Applying onto damaged skin | Liver problems | Young children
It's possible for your body to absorb too much desoximetasone (Topicort) through the skin in certain situations. This includes applying the medication to larger areas of skin over longer periods of time and covering the treated area with tight bandages. Having too much desoximetasone (Topicort) in your body can cause your body to make less stress hormones (e.g., cortisol). This can affect many important bodily functions and lead to symptoms such as tiredness, nausea, and muscle aches. This problem usually goes away after you stop using desoximetasone (Topicort), but you might need additional treatment if it's severe.
Apply desoximetasone (Topicort) only as directed. Don't apply too much medication and don't use it for a longer period of time than prescribed. Also don't cover the medicated area with bandages or dressings unless your prescriber tells you to. If your prescriber thinks that desoximetasone (Topicort) is affecting your body's hormone production, they might recommend that you apply it less often or switch you to a different medication.
Cataracts and glaucoma
- Risk factors: History of cataracts or glaucoma | Vision issues
Though rare, desoximetasone (Topicort) can raise your risk of developing vision problems, like cataracts and glaucoma. Make sure your prescriber knows if you have any issues with your vision or eyes before you start using this medication. Tell your healthcare team or eye specialist if you start noticing vision problems while you're using desoximetasone (Topicort).
Flammable (topical spray only)
The topical spray version of desoximetasone is flammable, which means that it can catch on fire. Be sure to keep the spray bottle away from heat or open flames.
Desoximetasone (Topicort) dosage
The average cost for 1 tube of 15g of 0.25% of Desoximetasone (Topicort) is $14.42 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 71.90% off the average retail price of $51.32. 
Bottle of spray
Tube of cream
Bottle of spray| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100ml of 0.25% | 1 bottle | $52.04 | $52.04 |
Tube of cream| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60g of 0.05% | 1 tube | $88.69 | $88.69 |
| 100g of 0.05% | 1 tube | $133.34 | $133.34 |
| 15g of 0.05% | 1 tube | $25.11 | $25.11 |
| 60g of 0.25% | 1 tube | $30.97 | $30.97 |
| 100g of 0.25% | 1 tube | $49.85 | $49.85 |
| 15g of 0.25% | 1 tube | $14.42 | $14.42 |
Typical dosage for Desoximetasone (Topicort)
Apply a thin film of medication to the affected area(s) two times a day, and rub in gently.
Interactions between Desoximetasone (Topicort) and other drugs
Desoximetasone (Topicort) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Desoximetasone (Topicort). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
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.
How much does Desoximetasone (Topicort) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
What are alternatives to Desoximetasone (Topicort)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Desoximetasone (Topicort). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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