On this page
Desonide
Overview
Active ingredients
Source: NDC DirectoryForms, strengths and routes
Source: NDC DirectoryPharmacologic classes are listed in the class section below.
Pharmacologic class
Source: NDC Directory| Class | Type | Browse |
|---|---|---|
| Corticosteroid Hormone Receptor Agonists [MoA] | MoA | All 215 members |
| Corticosteroid [EPC] | EPC | All 215 members |
Regulatory status
Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory| Product | Trade name | Form | Strength | Ingredient | Status | TE | Flags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 210198-001 | DESONIDE | CREAM | DESONIDE | Prescription | AB | RS |
Therapeutic equivalence
Source: Orange BookWhat this rating means: Therapeutically equivalent — bioequivalence demonstrated by in vivo or in vitro testing
Codes beginning with “A” indicate products the FDA considers therapeutically equivalent. Codes beginning with “B” indicate bioequivalence has not been established. See methodology.
Approval history
Source: Drugs@FDA| Type | No. | Action | Status | Date | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original application | 1 | Approved | November 20, 2019 | Standard |
Prescribing information
Source: openFDA Drug LabelingReproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20260112). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.
Indications and Usage
openFDA Drug LabelingINDICATIONS AND USAGE Desonide cream, 0.05% and desonide ointment, 0.05% are low potency corticosteroids 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.
Dosage and Administration
openFDA Drug LabelingDOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Desonide cream, 0.05% or desonide ointment, 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% and desonide ointment, 0.05% should not be used with occlusive dressings.
Contraindications
openFDA Drug LabelingCONTRAINDICATIONS Desonide cream, 0.05% and desonide ointment, 0.05% are contraindicated in those patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any of the components of the preparations.
Adverse Reactions
openFDA Drug LabelingADVERSE REACTIONS In controlled clinical trials, the total incidence of adverse reactions associated with the use of desonide cream, 0.05% was approximately 1% and desonide ointment, 0.05% was approximately 6%. The adverse reactions for desonide cream, 0.05% 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 adverse reactions for desonide ointment, 0.05% were erythema, induration, pruritus, irritation, oiliness, and peripheral edema. 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.
Description
openFDA Drug LabelingDESCRIPTION: Desonide Cream 0.05% and Lotion 0.05% contain desonide (Pregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione,11,21-dihydroxy-16,17-[(1-methylethylidene)bis(oxy)]-,(11β,16α)- a synthetic nonfluorinated corticosteroid for topical dermatologic use. The corticosteroids constitute a class of primarily synthetic steroids used topically as anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic agents. Chemically, desonide is C 24 H 32 O 6 . It has the following structural formula: Desonide has the molecular weight of 416.51. It is a white to off white odorless powder which is soluble in methanol and practically insoluble in water. Each gram of Desonide Cream contains 0.5 mg of desonide in a base of citric acid, emulsifying wax, isopropyl palmitate, polysorbate 60, potassium sorbate, propyl gallate, propylene glycol, purified water, sodium hydroxide, sorbic acid, stearic acid, and synthetic beeswax. Each gram of Desonide Lotion contains 0.5 mg of desonide in a base of cetyl alcohol, edetate sodium, glyceryl stearate SE, light mineral oil, methylparaben, propylene glycol, propylparaben, purified water, sodium lauryl sulfate, sorbitan monostearate, and stearyl alcohol. May contain citric acid and/or sodium hydroxide for pH adjustment. deso-structure
Overdosage
openFDA Drug LabelingOVERDOSAGE Topically applied desonide cream, 0.05% and desonide ointment, 0.05% can be absorbed in sufficient amounts to produce systemic effects (see PRECAUTIONS ).
How Supplied / Storage and Handling
openFDA Drug LabelingHOW SUPPLIED Desonide cream USP, 0.05% is white to off white cream and is available as follows: NDC 72578-086-01 in tube of 15 g NDC 72578-086-02 in tube of 60 g Storage Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Viona Pharmaceuticals Inc. at 1-888-304-5011 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Adverse event reports
Source: openFDA FAERSAttributed to this product's most-reported active ingredient: DESONIDE. Combination products with more than six active ingredients are not attributed, because a report count summed across a long ingredient list measures the list, not the medicine.
Packaging and NDCs
Source: NDC Directory| Package NDC | Product NDC | Labeler | Description | Marketing start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80425-0371-1 | 80425-0371 | Advanced Rx of Tennessee, LLC | 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (80425-0371-1) / 60 g in 1 TUBE | December 7, 2023 |
| 80425-0418-1 | 80425-0418 | Advanced Rx of Tennessee, LLC | 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (80425-0418-1) / 60 g in 1 TUBE | July 17, 2024 |
| 62332-632-15 | 62332-632 | Alembic Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (62332-632-15) / 15 g in 1 TUBE | December 8, 2022 |
| 62332-632-60 | 62332-632 | Alembic Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (62332-632-60) / 60 g in 1 TUBE | December 8, 2022 |
| 46708-632-15 | 46708-632 | Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited | 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (46708-632-15) / 15 g in 1 TUBE | April 29, 2025 |
| 46708-632-60 | 46708-632 | Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited | 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (46708-632-60) / 60 g in 1 TUBE | April 29, 2025 |
| 63629-2506-1 | 63629-2506 | Bryant Ranch Prepack | 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (63629-2506-1) / 60 g in 1 TUBE | May 18, 2021 |
| 63629-2507-1 | 63629-2507 | Bryant Ranch Prepack | 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (63629-2507-1) / 15 g in 1 TUBE | May 18, 2021 |
| 72162-2005-2 | 72162-2005 | Bryant Ranch Prepack | 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (72162-2005-2) / 15 g in 1 TUBE | June 17, 2020 |
| 72162-2005-6 | 72162-2005 | Bryant Ranch Prepack | 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (72162-2005-6) / 60 g in 1 TUBE | June 17, 2020 |
| 0713-0661-15 | 0713-0661 | Cosette Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (0713-0661-15) / 15 g in 1 TUBE | August 19, 2016 |
| 0713-0661-60 | 0713-0661 | Cosette Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (0713-0661-60) / 60 g in 1 TUBE | August 19, 2016 |
| 51508-209-01 | 51508-209 | Hubei Gedian Humanwell Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. | 1 kg in 1 CONTAINER, FLEXIBLE INTERMEDIATE BULK (51508-209-01) | May 9, 2025 |
| 16714-729-01 | 16714-729 | NORTHSTAR RX LLC | 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (16714-729-01) / 15 g in 1 TUBE | June 1, 2017 |
| 16714-729-02 | 16714-729 | NORTHSTAR RX LLC | 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (16714-729-02) / 60 g in 1 TUBE | June 1, 2017 |
| 63187-747-15 | 63187-747 | Proficient Rx LP | 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (63187-747-15) / 15 g in 1 TUBE | October 3, 2016 |
| 63187-747-60 | 63187-747 | Proficient Rx LP | 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (63187-747-60) / 60 g in 1 TUBE | October 3, 2016 |
| 51672-1280-1 | 51672-1280 | Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. | 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (51672-1280-1) / 15 g in 1 TUBE | June 30, 1992 |
| 51672-1280-3 | 51672-1280 | Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. | 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (51672-1280-3) / 60 g in 1 TUBE | June 30, 1992 |
| 72578-086-01 | 72578-086 | Viona Pharmaceuticals Inc | 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (72578-086-01) / 15 g in 1 TUBE | June 17, 2020 |
| 72578-086-02 | 72578-086 | Viona Pharmaceuticals Inc | 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (72578-086-02) / 60 g in 1 TUBE | June 17, 2020 |
| 70771-1381-1 | 70771-1381 | Zydus Lifesciences Limited | 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (70771-1381-1) / 15 g in 1 TUBE | November 25, 2019 |
| 70771-1381-3 | 70771-1381 | Zydus Lifesciences Limited | 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (70771-1381-3) / 60 g in 1 TUBE | November 25, 2019 |
| 80425-0371 | 80425-0371 | Advanced Rx of Tennessee, LLC | — | December 7, 2023 |
| 80425-0418 | 80425-0418 | Advanced Rx of Tennessee, LLC | — | July 17, 2024 |
| 62332-632 | 62332-632 | Alembic Pharmaceuticals Inc. | — | December 8, 2022 |
| 46708-632 | 46708-632 | Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited | — | April 29, 2025 |
| 63629-2506 | 63629-2506 | Bryant Ranch Prepack | — | June 17, 2020 |
| 63629-2507 | 63629-2507 | Bryant Ranch Prepack | — | June 17, 2020 |
| 72162-2005 | 72162-2005 | Bryant Ranch Prepack | — | June 17, 2020 |
| 0713-0661 | 0713-0661 | Cosette Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | — | August 19, 2016 |
| 51508-209 | 51508-209 | Hubei Gedian Humanwell Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. | — | May 9, 2025 |
| 16714-729 | 16714-729 | NORTHSTAR RX LLC | — | June 30, 1992 |
| 63187-747 | 63187-747 | Proficient Rx LP | — | August 1, 2013 |
| 51672-1280 | 51672-1280 | Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. | — | June 30, 1992 |
| 72578-086 | 72578-086 | Viona Pharmaceuticals Inc | — | June 17, 2020 |
| 70771-1381 | 70771-1381 | Zydus Lifesciences Limited | — | November 25, 2019 |
Sources for this page
| Dataset | Agency | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| NDC Directory | FDA | Identity, ingredients, strengths, forms, routes, labelers, packages |
| Drugs@FDA | FDA | Application, sponsor, submissions, review documents, marketing status |
| Orange Book | FDA | Therapeutic equivalence codes, reference drug flags, patents, exclusivity |
| Drug Labeling | FDA / NLM | Prescribing information reproduced above |
| FAERS | FDA | Adverse event report counts |
Generated September 25, 2026 · 12 sections on this page.