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Diflorasone Coupon - Diflorasone 60g of 0.05% tube of ointment

diflorasone

Generic Apexicon E
Used for Eczema, Psoriasis, Itching, Skin Allergy
Used for Eczema, Psoriasis, Itching, Skin Allergy

Diflorasone (Apexicon E) is one of the strongest topical steroid medications used to relieve inflammation and itching caused by various skin conditions. It's applied to the skin, typically one to three times a day. Some of the more common side effects of diflorasone (Apexicon E) include mild burning or itching. But it generally doesn't cause many serious side effects if used short-term as directed by your provider. Diflorasone is available as a cream or ointment.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
reviewer
Connie Zheng, PharmD
Last reviewed on March 21, 2023
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsCostAlternativesLatest newsImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Diflorasone (Apexicon E)?

What is Diflorasone (Apexicon E) used for?

  • Inflammatory skin conditions

How Diflorasone (Apexicon E) works

Diflorasone (Apexicon E) is a topical corticosteroid. It helps treat flare-ups of skin conditions by calming down the immune system and lessening inflammation.

Drug Facts

Common BrandsApexiCon E
Drug Class Corticosteroid
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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$774.56(save 95.97%)
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$31.20
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What are the side effects of Diflorasone (Apexicon E)?

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

  • Burning skin
  • Itchy skin
  • Irritated skin
  • Dryness
  • Red or inflamed hair follicles
  • Excessive hair growth

Other Side Effects

  • Acne
  • Skin color changes
  • Red rash around the nose or mouth
  • Itchy rash
  • Skin thinning
  • Stretch marks
  • Infection

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Eye problems: blurry vision, changes to eyesight

Source: DailyMed

The following 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:

Incidence not known

Blindness

blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin

blurred vision

decreased vision

eye pain

headache

irritation

itching, scaling, severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin

nausea

redness and scaling around the mouth

tearing

thinning of the skin with easy bruising, especially when used on the face or where the skin folds together (eg, between the fingers)

vomiting

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

Acne or pimples

burning and itching of the skin with pinhead-sized red blisters

burning, itching, and pain in hairy areas, or pus at the root of the hair

increased hair growth on the forehead, back, arms, and legs

lightening of normal skin color or of treated areas of dark skin color

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.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Diflorasone (Apexicon E)

thumbs-up

Pros

One of the strongest topical steroids available

Low risk of serious side effects if used for short periods of time

Available as a lower-cost generic

Available as a cream and an ointment

thumbs-down

Cons

Can cause skin irritations, such as dry skin and acne

Not well-studied in children, but likely higher risk of side effects in children

Unknown if safe to use in pregnant or breastfeeding females

Can't be used to treat skin infections

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Diflorasone (Apexicon E)

pharmacist

  • Before applying diflorasone (Apexicon E), make sure the affected areas of skin are clean and dry. When you apply the medication, be sure to rub it in gently and completely.

    • After you've applied diflorasone (Apexicon E), avoid touching other areas of skin, other people, or pets until you've wash your hands well. This will help prevent the medication from accidentally being transferred to others or other parts of your body that don't need the medication.

      • Avoid getting diflorasone (Apexicon E) in your eyes. Don't rub your eyes after applying this medications, until you've washed your hands. Doing so can raise your risk of vision problems.

        • Only apply the smallest amount of diflorasone (Apexicon E) needed to cover the affected areas of your skin. Also, only use diflorasone (Apexicon E) for the amount of time your provider instructed you to use it. Doing so will lower your risk of side effects, such as skin irritations.

          • You might notice some mild burning or itching after applying diflorasone (Apexicon E). But if your symptoms are severe or if a rash appears afterward, contact your healthcare provider. You might need more medical attention.

            • Don't place bandages or dressings over the areas where diflorasone (Apexicon E) is applied unless your provider has instructed you to do so. Doing so can cause your skin to absorb more medication, which can raise your risk of side effects, such as skin irritations.

              • Check with your provider first before using other corticosteroid products with diflorasone (Apexicon E). Using multiple corticosteroids raises your risk of serious side effects, such as hormone changes and skin sensitivity.

                faqs

                Frequently asked questions about Diflorasone (Apexicon E)

                Is diflorasone (Apexicon E) stronger than hydrocortisone?
                Diflorasone (Apexicon E) is a much stronger (more "potent") topical steroid than hydrocortisone. In fact, diflorasone (Apexicon E) is one of the strongest topical steroids available, so it's mainly used for very serious inflammatory skin conditions.
                Can I put a bandage on after applying diflorasone (Apexicon E)?
                Ask your provider if you should use bandages over areas where you've applied diflorasone (Apexicon E). Certain coverings can cause more medication to be absorbed into your body, which can lead to more side effects. Make sure to only use bandages or other coverings if your provider told you it was ok to do so.
                Is diflorasone (Apexicon E) safe if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
                There isn't enough information to know if diflorasone (Apexicon E) is safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding. In animal studies, strong corticosteroids like diflorasone (Apexicon E) have caused birth defects when applied to the skin. The risks are likely higher if you use this medication in large amounts or for long periods of time. Also, it's unclear whether diflorasone (Apexicon E) can get into breast milk. But if it does, there's a chance it can cause harm to nursing babies. If you're pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant, or breastfeeding, discuss the risks and benefits of using this medication with your healthcare provider.
                Can children use diflorasone (Apexicon E)?
                Diflorasone (Apexicon E) hasn't been studied well in children, so it isn't known if it's safe or works well for them. Children have a higher risk for certain side effects, such as hormone changes and stretch marks, from steroids used on the skin. Your provider can help guide you to the best treatment options for your child's skin conditions.
                Is diflorasone (Apexicon E) good for psoriasis?
                You should only use diflorasone (Apexicon E) for psoriasis if your provider instructed you to do so. Topical steroids, like diflorasone (Apexicon E), play an important part in treating psoriasis. But they might not be appropriate for everyone. It's important to remember that psoriasis treatment and prevention involves many other important steps as well, including maintaining healthy habits, keeping your skin well-moisturized, and avoiding triggers like alcohol, stress, and cold weather. Talk to your provider about what to do to get the best effect from using diflorasone (Apexicon E).
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                What are the risks and warnings for Diflorasone (Apexicon E)?

                Diflorasone (Apexicon E) 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.

                risk-warning

                Change in stress hormones

                • Risk factors: Applying diflorasone (Apexicon E) to large areas of the body | Using diflorasone (Apexicon E) for a long time | Covering the medicated area with bandages | Younger age

                  If you absorb too much diflorasone (Apexicon E) through the skin, you can experience symptoms of too much stress hormones, such as bruising easily or high blood sugar levels.

                  In addition, absorbing too much diflorasone (Apexicon E) can also cause your body to make less of its own stress hormones. This becomes a problem when you stop using diflorasone (Apexicon E) and your body can't ramp up making its own stress hormones quickly enough. This can put you at risk for a problem called adrenal insufficiency, where you have too little stress hormone.

                  To lower your risk of these problems, don't use more diflorasone (Apexicon E) than what's prescribed by your provider. Also, don't put any bandages over skin areas where you just applied the medication. Don't stop using diflorasone (Apexicon E) unless your provider tells you to do so. Sometimes, your provider might need to lower how often you apply this medication slowly over time, before you can safely stop it. Your body will typically recover from these problems after you stop using diflorasone (Apexicon E).

                  risk-warning

                  Skin irritation and changes

                  Skin irritation and changes, including burning, itching, dryness, inflammation of hair follicles, excessive hair growth, and changes in skin color, have occurred from using diflorasone (Apexicon E). Let your provider know if you experience any of these side effects.

                  risk-warning

                  Risk of skin infection

                  Diflorasone (Apexicon E) can lower your body's ability to fight infections, including infections on your skin. It's especially important to treat skin infections with an appropriate antifungal or antibacterial if you're using diflorasone (Apexicon E). The longer you're using this medication, the higher your risk of this problem is. If you notice redness, pain, swelling, or pus where you're applying diflorasone (Apexicon E), stop using it and talk to your healthcare provider right away.

                  risk-warning

                  Risk of eye problems

                  Topical steroids can raise your risk for eye problems such as cataracts and glaucoma. This is more commonly seen in people who applied topical steroid drops into their eyes for various eye conditions. However, are reports of this happening in people who used diflorasone (Apexicon E) for skin conditions. If you notice any changes in your vision, contact your provider.

                  dosage

                  Diflorasone (Apexicon E) dosage forms

                  The average cost for 1 tube of 60g of 0.05% of Diflorasone (Apexicon E) is $87.50 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 88.7% off the average retail price of $774.56.
                  tube of cream
                  Tube of cream
                  DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                  15g of 0.05%1 tube$31.20$31.20
                  30g of 0.05%1 tube$50.68$50.68
                  60g of 0.05%1 tube$75.86$75.86
                  tube of ointment
                  Tube of ointment
                  DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                  15g of 0.05%1 tube$31.99$31.99
                  30g of 0.05%1 tube$46.88$46.88
                  45g of 0.05%1 tube$67.32$67.32
                  60g of 0.05%1 tube$87.50$87.50

                  Typical dosing for Diflorasone (Apexicon E)

                  The typical dose is to apply to the affected area(s) 1 to 3 times a day as instructed by your healthcare provider.

                  interactions

                  Interactions between Diflorasone (Apexicon E) and other drugs

                  Diflorasone (Apexicon E) 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 Diflorasone (Apexicon E). 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.

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                  How much does Diflorasone (Apexicon E) cost?

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                  Diflorasone (Apexicon E) (generic)
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                  $31.20

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                  alternatives

                  What are alternatives to Diflorasone (Apexicon E)?

                  There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Diflorasone (Apexicon E). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                  Diflorasone (Apexicon E)
                  Used for:

                  • Inflammatory skin conditions

                  $31.20 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                  Flurandrenolide (Cordran)
                  Used for:

                  • Inflammatory and itchy skin conditions

                  $86.06 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                  Halcinonide (Halog)
                  Used for:

                  • Inflammatory and itchy skin conditions

                  $208.88 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
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                  Diflorasone (Apexicon E) images

                  This medicine is Colorless Tube Of Ointment.

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                  References

                  Best studies we found

                  American Academy of Dermatology Association. (n.d.). Psoriasis clinical guideline.

                  ANI Pharmaceuticals. (2022). Apexicon E - diflorasone diacetate cream [package insert]. DailyMed.

                  Ference, J. D., et al. (2009). Choosing topical corticosteroids. American Family Physician. 

                  View All References (5)

                  National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2018). Cushing's syndrome.

                  National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2018). Symptoms and causes of adrenal insufficiency and Addison's disease.

                  Sihota, R., et al. (2006). Prospective, long-term evaluation of steroid-induced glaucoma. Eye.

                  Taro Pharmaceuticals U.S.A. (2020). Diflorasone diacetate ointment [package insert]. DailyMed.

                  GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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