Important: This page is general information, not medical advice. It does not recommend or prescribe any treatment. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.
Quick facts
- Drug class
- Corticosteroid [EPC], Corticosteroid Hormone Receptor Agonists [MoA]
- How it is given
- topical
- Type
- human prescription drug
- RxNorm ID
- 197574
We do not publish dosing. How much of this medicine to take, how often, and for how long depends on your age, weight, kidney and liver function, other conditions and other medicines. That is a decision for the person who prescribes or dispenses it. Follow the directions on your own pack and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.
What it is used to treat
INDICATIONS AND USAGE Desoximetasone cream USP, 0.05%, desoximetasone cream USP, 0.25%, and desoximetasone gel USP, 0.05% are indicated for the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses.
About this medicine
DESCRIPTION Desoximetasone cream USP, 0.05%, desoximetasone cream USP, 0.25%, and desoximetasone gel USP, 0.05% contain the active synthetic corticosteroid desoximetasone. The topical corticosteroids constitute a class of primarily synthetic steroids used as anti-inflammatory and antipruritic agents. Each gram of desoximetasone cream USP, 0.05% contains 0.5 mg of desoximetasone in an emollient cream base consisting of cetostearyl alcohol, edetate disodium, isopropyl myristate, lanolin alcohol, mineral oil, purified water, and white petrolatum. Each gram of desoximetasone cream USP, 0.25% contains 2.5 mg of desoximetasone in an emollient cream base consisting of cetostearyl alcohol, isopropyl myristate, lanolin alcohol, mineral oil, purified water, and white petrolatum. Each gram of desoximetasone gel USP, 0.05% contains 0.5 mg of desoximetasone in a gel base consisting of carbomer 940, docusate sodium, edetate disodium, isopropyl myristate, purified water, SDAG-3 95% alcohol, and trolamine. The chemical name of desoximetasone is Pregna-1, 4-diene-3, 20-dione, 9-fluoro-11, 21-dihydroxy-16-methyl-,(11ß,16α)-. Desoximetasone has the molecular formula C 22 H 29 FO 4 and a molecular weight of 376.47. The CAS Registry Number is 382-67-2. The structural formula is: Chemical Structure
Who should not take it
CONTRAINDICATIONS Desoximetasone cream USP, 0.05%, desoximetasone cream USP, 0.25%, and desoximetasone gel USP, 0.05% are contraindicated in those patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any of the components of the preparation.
Reported side effects
ADVERSE REACTIONS The following local adverse reactions are reported infrequently with topical corticosteroids, but may occur more frequently with the use of occlusive dressings. These reactions are listed in an approximate decreasing order of occurrence: Burning, itching, irritation, dryness, folliculitis, hypertrichosis, acneiform eruptions, hypopigmentation, perioral dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, maceration of the skin, secondary infection, skin atrophy, striae, and miliaria. In controlled clinical studies the incidence of adverse reactions were low (0.8%) for desoximetasone cream USP, 0.25%, and included burning, folliculitis, and folliculo-pustular lesions. The incidence of adverse reactions were also 0.8% for desoximetasone cream USP, 0.05% and included pruritus, erythema, vesiculation, and burning sensation. The incidence of adverse reactions for desoximetasone gel USP, 0.05% was 0.3% with one subject reporting stinging and burning at the site of application.
If too much is taken
OVERDOSAGE Topically applied corticosteroids can be absorbed in sufficient amounts to produce systemic effects (see PRECAUTIONS ).
Before you take anything new
Tell your pharmacist or doctor about every medicine you take — including ones bought without a prescription, herbal products and supplements. Interactions are one of the most common avoidable causes of harm from medicines, and a pharmacist can check your full list in a couple of minutes.
This page is built from the openFDA record of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approved labelling for this product, effective 9 December 2023. Label text has been shortened and reformatted for readability; safety wording has not been altered in meaning. FDA labelling describes products approved in the United States — brand names, strengths, formulations and approved uses may differ in your country. Always read the leaflet that comes with your own pack. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and is not endorsed by, the FDA. Retrieved 2026-07-30.