Desowen Cream (Desonide)

To make sure DESOWEN topical is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• any type of skin infection.

Also tell your doctor if you have diabetes. Steroid medicines may increase the glucose (sugar) levels in your blood or urine. You may also need to adjust the dose of your diabetes medications.

It is not known whether DESOWEN topical will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.  It is not known whether DESOWEN topical passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

DESOWEN topical is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old. Children can absorb larger amounts of this medication through the skin and may be more likely to have unwanted side effects.

Topical steroid medicine can be absorbed through the skin, which may cause steroid side effects throughout the body. Stop using DESOWEN topical and call your doctor if you have:

• blurred vision, or seeing halos around lights;
• uneven heartbeats;
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• weight gain, puffiness in your face; or
• tired feeling.

Also stop using DESOWEN topical and call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe skin redness where the medicine was applied; or
• signs of skin infection (swelling, redness, warmth, oozing).

Common side effects may include:

• stinging or burning of treated skin;
• skin itching or irritation;
• dry, scaly, or peeling skin;
• acne, skin rash;
• stretch marks;
• lightened color of treated skin; or
• folliculitis (redness or crusting around your hair follicles).

Avoid getting this medicine in your eyes. If contact does occur, rinse with water. Do not use DESOWEN topical on broken or infected skin. Also avoid using this medicine in open wounds.  Do not use DESOWEN topical to treat any condition that has not been checked by your doctor.

It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on topically applied DESOWEN. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

This medicine is usually applied 2 or 3 times daily. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Do not take by mouth. DESOWEN topical is for use only on the skin.

Wash your hands before and after using DESOWEN topical, unless you are using the medicine to treat the skin on your hands.  Apply a small amount to the affected area and rub it gently into the skin. Do not apply DESOWEN topical over a large area of skin.  Do not cover the treated skin area unless your doctor tells you to.

Use DESOWEN topical regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.  Call your doctor if your skin condition does not improve after 2 weeks of treatment, or if it gets worse while using DESOWEN topical.

An overdose of DESOWEN topical is not expected to produce life threatening symptoms. However, long term use of high steroid doses can lead to symptoms such as thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.

Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.