Desoximetasone is a prescription topical cream used to treat various skin conditions. This medication belongs to a class of drugs called corticosteroids, which work by reducing inflammation in the skin.
What is desoximetasone used for?
Desoximetasone works by reducing the inflammation and swelling of the affected area. This medication is available in both cream and ointment form. It is used to treat a variety of skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, and psoriasis.
Desoximetasone Brand Names
Desoximetasone is the generic name used. Below is a list of the brand names used around the world.
United States:
- Topicort
- Topicort LP
Canada:
- Desoxi
- Taro-Desoximetasone
- Topicort Mild
United Kingdom and Europe:
- Topisolon cream
Which body parts should be avoided when using desoximetasone?
Desoximetasone should only be applied to the skin. It should not be applied to the face, groin, or underarms unless your doctor instructs you to.
If the medication needs to be applied near the eyes, avoid getting the medication directly in your eyes because doing so could exacerbate or even start glaucoma. Additionally, avoid getting this medicine in your mouth or nose. Rinse with lots of water if you accidentally get the medication in your eyes, nose, or mouth.
How long does desoximetasone stay in your system?
The amount of time that desoximetasone stays in your system is dependent on the duration of use of the medicine. Some research suggests that suppression of cortisol levels is still apparent 96 hours after topical use of corticosteroid creams, which implies that desoximetasone can stay in your system for long periods of time, possibly for up to a few weeks. Desoximetasone is not recommended for long term use. More research is required about the half-life of desoximetasone and how long it stays in your system.
According to the NHS, for people who use desoximetasone for extended periods of time (more than 12 months in adults), a withdrawal reaction may occur which can include:
- redness or changes in skin color (hyperpigmentation)
- burning, stinging, itching or peeling of the skin, or oozing, open sores
What are the side effects of desoximetasone?
According to Mayo Clinic, the side effects of desoximetasone are as follows. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
- Flushing or redness of the skin
- redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- unusually warm skin
Incidence not known
- Blindness
- blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin
- blurred vision
- decreased vision
- eye pain
- headache
- irritation
- itching, scaling, severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin
- nausea or vomiting
- 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)
- thinning, weakness, or wasting away of the skin
There are certain potential side effects that often do not require medical treatment. During therapy, these side effects could fade away as your body gets used to the medication. Additionally, your healthcare provider might be able to provide you with information on how to avoid or lessen some of these adverse effects. If any of the following side effects persist, are troublesome, or if you have any questions about them, speak with your doctor:
Why does desoximetasone burn when I apply it to my skin?
If your skin burns after applying desoximetasone to your skin, you may have an allergic reaction to the steroid cream and your skin cannot tolerate it. Desoximetasone also contains cetostearyl alcohol which may cause acute allergic reactions.
What happens if you use desoximetasone too often?
If you use desoximetasone too frequently or for an extended period of time, tolerance or tachyphylaxis to that potency level of steroid cream may develop. Desoximetasone is not recommended for extended use which may result in some of the common side effects listed above. Consult with your doctor if you have concerns.
Which steroid creams are weaker than Desoximetasone?
Desoximetasone is classified as a super-potent strength steroid cream. Weaker steroid creams down the topical steroid ladder include:
- Amcinonide
- Betamethasone dipropionate
- Augmented betamethasone dipropionate
- Augmented Diflorasone diacetate
- Diflorasone diacetate
- Fluocinonide
- Halcinonide
- Mometasone furoate
- Diflorasone diacetate
- Fluticasone propionate
- Triamcinolone acetonide 0.5%
- Betamethasone valerate
- Fluocinolone acetonide
- Flurandrenolide
- Hydrocortisone valerate
- Triamcinolone acetonide
- Betamethasone valerate 0.1%
- Clocortolone pivalate
- Hydrocortisone butyrate
- Hydrocortisone probutate
- Hydrocortisone valerate 0.2%
- Prednicarbate
- Alclometasone dipropionate
- Desonide 0.05%
- Hydrocortisone 0.5% – 2.5%
- Hydrocortisone
Which steroid creams are stronger than desoximetasone?
Desoximetasone is among the top steroids in the topical steroid potency chart. Augmented betamethasone dipropionate and clobetasol propionate may be considered stronger than desoximetasone.
Does desoximetasone cause topical steroid withdrawal?
More research is required to understand the complexity of Topical Steroid Withdrawal and its specific connection to desoximetasone. Desoximetasone is a highly potent corticosteroid commonly used for skin conditions and the side effects of discontinuing the use of this topical steroid medicine is yet to be studied.
Throughout online groups and communities, there are serious concerns, accounts, discussions and images about corticosteroid creams (not just desoximetasone) causing Topical Steroid Withdrawal. The accounts and experiences of the Topical Steroid Withdrawal community continues to grow and has gathered media wide attention for the aesthetic physical severity of many people suffering.
Topical Steroid Withdrawal is an iatrogenic health phenomena that requires more research and studies. The International Topical Steroid Awareness Network (ITSAN) is currently building a patient registry to begin preliminary studies.
Is there treatment for Topical Steroid Withdrawal?
Currently, there is no global protocol or medical treatment for topical steroid withdrawal. However, medical advice favours the gradual reduction of topical steroids, rather than stopping usage abruptly.
At TSW Assist, we are identifying crowd sourced insights that can help manage the inflammation and symptoms during the withdrawal period from topical steroids. Currently, there is no quick cure for Topical Steroid Withdrawal.
Through the community, we are finding insights of the management of the symptoms of TSW, through the tracking of the efficacy of specific products, methods and therapies.
Disclaimer: The information on this website is not medical advice. There is no known medical cure for topical steroid withdrawal, but there are collective methods to manage the symptom and inflammation during the withdrawal period. It should not be mistaken that all usage of steroid creams will cause topical steroid withdrawal. More clinical research is required to understand the cause of Topical Steroid Withdrawal within an individual.
