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 Ointment Kit.
Applies to desonide topical: topical application cream, topical application foam, topical application gel/jelly, topical application lotion, topical application ointment.
Serious side effects
Along with its needed effects, desonide topical (the active ingredient contained in DesOwen Ointment Kit) 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
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]
