Desoximetasone

Introduction

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA
Updated on July 13, 2023

Desoximetasone (des oks i MET a sone) is a generic medication prescribed for plaque psoriasis and certain skin conditions. Desoximetasone belongs to a group of drugs called corticosteroids.

These approved uses differ based on the drug form your doctor prescribes.

This article describes desoximetasone’s uses, side effects, and more. You’ll also find some coupon options to help save desoximetasone’s cost.

Common questions about desoximetasone

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about desoximetasone.

Can desoximetasone be used for a yeast infection? Is the drug considered an antifungal?

Desoximetasone isn’t approved to treat yeast infections. The drug’s only approved to treat plaque psoriasis and skin conditions that cause itching and swelling. Desoximetasone also isn’t an antifungal medication. Instead, it belongs to a group of drugs called corticosteroids.

To learn more about treating a yeast infection, talk with your doctor.

Is desoximetasone available over the counter?

No, desoximetasone isn’t available over the counter (OTC). The medication’s only available if your doctor prescribes it. Other OTC corticosteroids are available. But desoximetasone is stronger than these medications.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to find out more about OTC corticosteroids.

Can I use desoximetasone on my face?

It depends. You should not apply desoximetasone topical* spray to your face. You may apply the topical cream, ointment, or gel to your face if your doctor specifically instructs you to do so.

Other medications are also available to treat itchiness and swelling on your face. Talk with your doctor for more information. They can recommend a treatment based on your condition and symptoms.

* “Topical” means applied to the skin.

How does desoximetasone compare with hydrocortisone?

Desoximetasone and hydrocortisone are both corticosteroids, but they differ in strength. Desoximetasone is stronger than hydrocortisone. Because of this, they’re prescribed for different conditions and areas of the body.

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What brand names are available for desoximetasone?

Desoximetasone is available as the brand-name medication Topicort. To learn more about this brand-name medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How does desoximetasone work? And how long does it take to start working?

Desoximetasone acts like a hormone called cortisol. This hormone, which your body naturally makes, helps reduce itchiness, swelling, and inflammation. For certain skin conditions, desoximetasone can help relieve these symptoms.

How long desoximetasone takes to work depends on its form and where you apply it. In general, your symptoms should improve within 4 weeks of starting the drug. Tell your doctor if your skin doesn’t improve after this time.

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Uses of desoximetasone

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as desoximetasone for certain conditions. Approved uses for desoximetasone are described below. These uses differ based on the form of desoximetasone prescribed.

Use for certain skin conditions

Doctors may prescribe desoximetasone topical* cream, ointment, and gel for treating skin conditions that cause itching and swelling. It’s used for this purpose in adults.† It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

With these conditions, the skin forms lesions that can become itchy, swollen, or irritated. They have many causes, such as irritation, infection, and autoimmune diseases. Desoximetasone helps relieve symptoms of these skin conditions.

Doctors may also prescribe desoximetasone topical spray for treating plaque psoriasis. It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

With plaque psoriasis, the skin develops dry, itchy patches that can become scaly. The elbows and knees are common places for these patches to form. Desoximetasone helps people with plaque psoriasis manage their symptoms.

* “Topical” means applied to the skin.
† Desoximetasone topical ointment is approved for children ages 10 years and older. For the topical cream and gel, the manufacturer doesn’t specify an age range for children. Your child’s doctor will determine whether desoximetasone treatment is appropriate.

Side effects of desoximetasone

Desoximetasone may cause mild or serious side effects. Its more common mild side effects and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about desoximetasone’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the drug’s prescribing information in the “Article resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of desoximetasone are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the drug form you use.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about desoximetasone’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for desoximetasone listed in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Desoximetasone topical* cream’s mild side effects include:

• skin burning
• dry skin
• irritated skin
• itchy skin
• mild allergic reaction†

Desoximetasone topical spray’s mild side effects include:

• dry skin
• irritated skin
• itchy skin
• mild allergic reaction†

* “Topical” means applied to the skin.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for desoximetasone” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of desoximetasone are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the drug form you use.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about desoximetasone’s side effects based on the form, refer to the drug’s prescribing information in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, desoximetasone’s serious side effects include:

• changes to how certain glands and hormones function
• decreased skin thickness
• infected or inflamed hair follicles
• skin color changes
• skin infections
• severe allergic reaction†

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for desoximetasone” section.

Interactions and warnings for desoximetasone

Below you’ll find information about desoximetasone’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of desoximetasone

Desoximetasone isn’t known to interact with any medications or supplements. (Interactions can affect how a drug works.) But this doesn’t mean drug interactions with desoximetasone won’t happen or be reported sometime. For instance, medications created at a later time could interact with desoximetasone.

Because of this, you should ask your doctor and pharmacist about possible interactions with desoximetasone. They can check for any interactions that may affect you, such as those with:

• vaccines
• foods or alcohol
• other drugs

Warnings for desoximetasone

Some people should not use desoximetasone, and others should use it cautiously.

Desoximetasone could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether the drug is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for desoximetasone, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Desoximetasone can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to desoximetasone or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe desoximetasone. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to desoximetasone, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of desoximetasone

If you use desoximetasone, you should not use more desoximetasone than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve used too much desoximetasone, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and desoximetasone

Information about desoximetasone and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Desoximetasone and pregnancy

It’s not known whether desoximetasone should be used during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

Desoximetasone and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether desoximetasone should be used while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about desoximetasone or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How should I apply desoximetasone?
• How does desoximetasone compare to other medications that could treat my condition?
• Am I at higher risk of side effects than other people?

Article resources

• Desoximetasone — desoximetasone cream. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/24f3d9cc-5376-4d8e-b113-9e675bd0ceec/spl-doc
• Desoximetasone — desoximetasone gel. (2016). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/ad9f736f-95d6-4d41-8d9f-f8bcb660b6f1/spl-doc
• Desoximetasone — desoximetasone ointment. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/f8e213a9-5e80-45e2-834c-7734dd39c1ac/spl-doc
• Desoximetasone — desoximetasone spray. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/e4b648f4-c65d-44b3-a97a-657730f65322/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.