Desowen
Generic Name: desonide topical (DEH so nide)
Brand Names: Delonide, Desowen, Tridesilon
What is Desowen (desonide topical)?
Desonide is a topical steroid. It reduces or inhibits the actions of chemicals in the body that
cause inflammation, redness, and swelling.
Desonide is used to treat inflammation caused by a number of conditions such as allergic
reactions, eczema, and psoriasis.
Desonide topical may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication
guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Desowen (desonide topical)?
Do not use plastic bandages, dressings, or diapers that do not allow air to circulate to the
area (occlusive dressings) unless your doctor directs you to do so. The use of occlusive dressings can
greatly increase the amount of drug the body absorbs. If you do use an occlusive dressing, do not use
it for more than 12 hours a day.
Do not use desonide topical to treat any area of the body that it is not prescribed for. This
could be dangerous.
Desonide topical has not been approved for use by children. Children are more sensitive
to the effects of desonide topical. Do not use desonide topical to treat a child unless it is prescribed
by a doctor.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using Desowen (desonide topical)?
Return to your doctor if the condition does not improve or if it gets worse. Desonide topical
alone will not treat the condition if it is an infection.
Desonide topical is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known
whether desonide topical will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without first
talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. If it is
necessary to use desonide topical during pregnancy, the smallest amount possible should be applied,
for the shortest time necessary to treat the condition, under the supervision of a doctor.
It is not known whether desonide passes into breast milk. Do not use desonide topical
without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Desonide topical has not been approved for use by children. Children are much more
sensitive to the effects of desonide topical. Do not use desonide to treat a child unless it is prescribed
by a doctor.
How should I use Desowen (desonide topical)?
Apply the medication exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these
directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Wash your hands before and after each application, unless you are using desonide topical to
treat a hand condition.
Apply a small amount to the affected area and rub it gently into the skin.
Use caution on areas where the skin creases, such as armpits, knees, and elbows. These areas
may absorb more medication. Also, avoid the eyes, mouth, and mucous membranes.
If you need to protect the area, it can be covered with a breathable cotton gauze dressing.
Avoid using plastic, occlusive dressings that do not allow air to circulate to the area. Plastic pants
and diapers may be harmful if used over desonide on a child.
Do not use desonide topical to treat any area of the body that it is not prescribed for. This
could be dangerous.
It is important to use desonide topical regularly to get the most benefit.
Store desonide topical at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next
dose, skip the dose you missed and apply the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use a double
dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
What happens if I overdose?
An overdose of desonide topical is not likely to threaten life. If the medication is ingested, or
if a large amount is used over a large area and side effects are being experienced, call an emergency
room or a poison control center for advice.
What should I avoid while using Desowen (desonide topical)?
Do not use plastic bandages, dressings, or diapers that do not allow air to circulate to the
area unless your doctor directs you to do so. The use of occlusive dressings can greatly increase the
amount of drug the body absorbs. If you do use an occlusive dressing, do not use it for more than 12
hours a day.
Do not use other topical products on the treated area, unless otherwise directed by your
doctor.
Desowen (desonide topical) side effects
No serious systemic side effects are expected unless a large amount of desonide topical is
used for a long period of time. If the drug is being absorbed by the body, you may experience
blurred vision, halos around lights, an irregular heartbeat, insomnia, mood changes, weight gain, or
fatigue. If you experience any unusual side effects, notify your doctor.
Less serious side effects are more likely to occur. You may experience some redness,
blistering, burning, itching, or peeling. Continue to use desonide topical and talk to your doctor.
Other local side effects may also occur, especially with prolonged use of desonide topical.
These may include thinning of the skin, prolonged redness, and stretch marks.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side
effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Desowen (desonide topical)?
Do not use other topical products on the treated area, unless otherwise directed by your
doctor.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with desonide topical. Talk to your
doctor and pharmacist before taking or using any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines,
including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
Where can I get more information?
-
Your pharmacist has additional information about desonide written for health professionals
that you may read.
What does my medication look like?
Desonide topical is available with a prescription under the brand names DesOwen and
Tridesilon. Other brand or generic formulations of this medication may also be available. Ask your
pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
-
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your
medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
- Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date,
and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has
been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses
outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs,
diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare
practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the
expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in
no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum
does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The
information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic
reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 5.02. Revision Date: 2/13/04 4:02:49 PM.
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