Note: This document contains side effect information about desonide topical. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name DesOwen.

Applies to desonide topical: topical application cream, topical application foam, topical application gel/jelly, topical application lotion, topical application ointment.

Serious side effects of DesOwen

Along with its needed effects, desonide topical (the active ingredient contained in DesOwen) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking desonide topical:

Less common

• Blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin
• burning, itching, redness, skin rash, swelling, or soreness at the application site
• flushing or redness of the skin
• irritation
• itching, scaling, severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin
• peeling of the skin
• raised, dark red, wart-like spots on the skin, especially when used on the face
• stinging and burning
• unusually warm skin

Incidence not known

• Blindness
• blurred vision or other change in vision
• decreased vision
• eye pain
• headache
• loss of vision
• nausea
• redness and scaling around the mouth
• tearing
• thinning of the skin with easy bruising, especially when used on the face or where the skin folds together (eg, between the fingers)
• vomiting

Other side effects of DesOwen

Some side effects of desonide topical may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Body aches or pain
• chills
• cough
• difficulty with breathing
• ear congestion
• fever
• headache
• loss of voice
• runny or stuffy nose
• sneezing
• sore throat
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

• Hoarseness
• irritability
• noisy breathing
• tender, swollen glands in the neck
• tightness in the chest
• trouble with swallowing
• voice changes

Incidence not known

• Acne or pimples
• burning and itching of the skin with pinhead-sized red blisters
• burning, itching, and pain in hairy areas, or pus at the root of the hair
• lightening of normal skin color
• lightening of treated areas of dark skin
• reddish purple lines on the arms, face, legs, trunk, or groin

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to desonide topical: compounding powder, topical cream, topical foam, topical gel, topical kit, topical lotion, topical ointment.

General

The most commonly reported side effects were headache, insomnia, impetigo, skin infection, and rash.^[Ref]

Endocrine

Frequency not reported: Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression, Cushing's syndrome^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Postmarketing reports: Allergic reaction including facial edema^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Impetigo, skin infection, rash

Frequency not reported: Folliculitis, hypertrichosis, acneiform eruptions, hypopigmentation, perioral dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, maceration of the skin, secondary infection, skin atrophy, striae, miliaria

Postmarketing reports: Pruritus, skin disorder^[Ref]

Local

Frequency not reported: Burning, itching, irritation, dryness^[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Flu syndrome aggravated^[Ref]

Nervous system

Common (1% to 10%): Headache, insomnia^[Ref]

Metabolic

Frequency not reported: Hyperglycemia, glucosuria, latent diabetes mellitus^[Ref]