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Desonide
Overview
Active ingredients
Source: NDC Directory| Ingredient | Strength | RxCUI | Monograph |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desonide | .5 mg/mL | 204135 | View |
Forms, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 072354-001 | DESOWEN | LOTION | DESONIDE | Discontinued | AB |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supplement | 9 | Labeling | Approved | April 13, 2015 | Standard |
| Supplement | 6 | Labeling | Approved | June 12, 1998 | — |
| Supplement | 5 | Manufacturing (CMC) | Approved | June 12, 1998 | — |
| Supplement | 4 | Labeling | Approved | July 28, 1995 | — |
| Supplement | 3 | Manufacturing (CMC) | Approved | July 28, 1995 | — |
| Supplement | 2 | Manufacturing (CMC) | Approved | November 1, 1994 | — |
| Supplement | 1 | Labeling | Approved | May 19, 1993 | — |
| Original application | 1 | Approved | January 24, 1992 | — |
Review documents
- 0 · Original application · January 27, 2012
Prescribing information
Source: openFDA Drug LabelingReproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20260123). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.
Indications and Usage
openFDA Drug LabelingINDICATIONS AND USAGE: Desonide Cream and Lotion are low to medium potency corticosteroids indicated for the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid responsive dermatoses.
Dosage and Administration
openFDA Drug LabelingDOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION: Desonide Cream or Lotion should be applied to the affected areas as a thin film two or three times daily depending on the severity of the condition. SHAKE LOTION WELL BEFORE USING. As with other corticosteroids, therapy should be discontinued when control is achieved. If no improvement is seen within 2 weeks, reassessment of diagnosis may be necessary. Desonide Cream and Lotion should not be used with occlusive dressings.
Contraindications
openFDA Drug LabelingCONTRAINDICATIONS: Desonide Cream and Lotion 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 was approximately 8%. These were: stinging and burning approximately 3%, irritation, contact dermatitis, condition worsened, peeling of skin, itching, intense transient erythema, and dryness/scaliness, each less than 2%. The following additional local adverse reactions have been reported infrequently with other topical corticosteroids, and they may occur more frequently with the use of occlusive dressings, especially with higher potency corticosteroids. These reactions are listed in an approximate decreasing order of occurrence: folliculitis, acneiform eruptions, hypopigmentation, perioral dermatitis, secondary infection, skin atrophy, striae, and miliaria. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Alembic Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-866-210-9797 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
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. desowen-structure-01
Overdosage
openFDA Drug LabelingOVERDOSAGE: Topically applied Desonide Cream and Lotion can be absorbed in sufficient amounts to produce systemic effects (See PRECAUTIONS ).
How Supplied / Storage and Handling
openFDA Drug LabelingHOW SUPPLIED Desonide Lotion USP, 0.05% is supplied in 59 mL and 118 mL bottles containing: 2 fl oz (59 mL) NDC 62332-550-59 4 fl oz (118 mL) NDC 62332-550-18 Storage Conditions: Store between 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Manufactured for: Alembic Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Bedminster, NJ 07921, USA Manufactured by: Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited (Derma Division), Karakhadi, Vadodara 391450, India. Mfg. License No.: G/25/2216 Revised: 07/2025
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0472-0803-02 | 0472-0803 | Actavis Pharma, Inc. | 1 BOTTLE in 1 CARTON (0472-0803-02) / 59 mL in 1 BOTTLE | May 28, 2009 |
| 0472-0803-04 | 0472-0803 | Actavis Pharma, Inc. | 1 BOTTLE in 1 CARTON (0472-0803-04) / 118 mL in 1 BOTTLE | May 28, 2009 |
| 62332-550-18 | 62332-550 | Alembic Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 1 BOTTLE in 1 CARTON (62332-550-18) / 118 mL in 1 BOTTLE | August 28, 2020 |
| 62332-550-59 | 62332-550 | Alembic Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 1 BOTTLE in 1 CARTON (62332-550-59) / 59 mL in 1 BOTTLE | August 28, 2020 |
| 46708-550-18 | 46708-550 | Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited | 1 BOTTLE in 1 CARTON (46708-550-18) / 118 mL in 1 BOTTLE | March 26, 2025 |
| 46708-550-59 | 46708-550 | Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited | 1 BOTTLE in 1 CARTON (46708-550-59) / 59 mL in 1 BOTTLE | March 26, 2025 |
| 63629-8739-1 | 63629-8739 | Bryant Ranch Prepack | 1 BOTTLE in 1 CARTON (63629-8739-1) / 59 mL in 1 BOTTLE | August 19, 2021 |
| 51672-4079-4 | 51672-4079 | Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. | 1 BOTTLE in 1 CARTON (51672-4079-4) / 59 mL in 1 BOTTLE | October 31, 2014 |
| 51672-4079-8 | 51672-4079 | Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. | 1 BOTTLE in 1 CARTON (51672-4079-8) / 118 mL in 1 BOTTLE | October 31, 2014 |
| 0472-0803 | 0472-0803 | Actavis Pharma, Inc. | — | May 28, 2009 |
| 62332-550 | 62332-550 | Alembic Pharmaceuticals Inc. | — | August 28, 2020 |
| 46708-550 | 46708-550 | Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited | — | March 26, 2025 |
| 63629-8739 | 63629-8739 | Bryant Ranch Prepack | — | May 28, 2009 |
| 51672-4079 | 51672-4079 | Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. | — | October 31, 2014 |
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.