Pronunciation: DES-oh-nide
Generic Name: Desonide
Brand Name: Examples include DesOwen and LoKara
DesOwen Lotion is used for:
Treating mild to moderate itching, redness, and swelling caused by certain skin conditions.
DesOwen Lotion is a topical corticosteroid. It works by reducing skin inflammation (redness, swelling, itching, and irritation).
Do NOT use DesOwen Lotion if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in DesOwen Lotion
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using DesOwen Lotion:
Some medical conditions may interact with DesOwen Lotion. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have any kind of skin infection, cuts, scrapes, or lessened blood flow to your skin
- if you have measles, tuberculosis (TB), chicken pox, or shingles, a positive TB skin test, or if you have recently had a vaccination
- if you are taking an oral corticosteroid (eg, prednisone)
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with DesOwen Lotion. Because little, if any, of DesOwen Lotion is absorbed into the blood, the risk of it interacting with another medicine is low.
Ask your health care provider if DesOwen Lotion may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use DesOwen Lotion:
Use DesOwen Lotion as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Shake well before each use.
- Apply a small amount of DesOwen Lotion to the affected area(s). Gently rub the medicine in until it is evenly distributed.
- Wash your hands immediately after applying DesOwen Lotion, unless your hands are part of the treated area.
- Do not cover the treated area(s) with bandages or other dressings unless advised to do so by your health care provider.
- If you miss a dose of DesOwen Lotion, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use DesOwen Lotion.
Important safety information:
- DesOwen Lotion is for external use only. Do not get it in your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you get it any of these areas, rinse right away with cool tap water.
- Do NOT use more than the recommended dose or use for longer than 2 weeks without checking with your doctor.
- If your symptoms do not get better within 2 weeks or if they get worse, check with your doctor.
- Talk with your doctor before you use any other medicines or cleansers on your skin.
- Do not apply DesOwen Lotion over large areas of the body, to open wounds, or to scraped, infected, or burned skin without first checking with your doctor.
- Do not use DesOwen Lotion for other skin conditions at a later time.
- Overuse of topical products may worsen your condition.
- If DesOwen Lotion was prescribed to treat the diaper area, avoid using tight-fitting undergarments or plastic pants.
- Check with your doctor before you receive any vaccine while you are using DesOwen Lotion.
- DesOwen Lotion has a corticosteroid in it. Before you start any new medicine, check the label to see if it has a corticosteroid in it too. If it does or if you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take DesOwen Lotion before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Contact your doctor if you have a cut or sore that does not heal.
- Serious side effects may occur if too much of DesOwen Lotion is absorbed through the skin. This may be more likely to occur if you use DesOwen Lotion over a larger area of the body. It may also be more likely if you wrap or bandage the area after you apply DesOwen Lotion. The risk is greater in children. Do not use more than the prescribed dose. Contact your doctor right away if you develop unusual weight gain (especially in the face), muscle weakness, increased thirst or urination, confusion, unusual drowsiness, severe or persistent headache, or vision changes. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
- DesOwen Lotion should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 3 months old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- Corticosteroids may affect growth rate in CHILDREN and teenagers in some cases. They may need regular growth checks while they use DesOwen Lotion.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using DesOwen Lotion while you are pregnant. It is not known if DesOwen Lotion is found in breast milk after topical use. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use DesOwen Lotion, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of DesOwen Lotion:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Mild, temporary stinging or burning when first applied.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); acne-like rash; inflamed hair follicles; inflammation around the mouth; severe or persistent burning, irritation, redness, or swelling of the skin; thinning, softening, or discoloration of the skin.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: DesOwen side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include blurred vision or other vision changes; muscle weakness; severe or persistent headache; symptoms of high blood sugar (eg, increased thirst or urination, confusion, unusual drowsiness); unusual weight gain, especially in the face.
Proper storage of DesOwen Lotion:
Store DesOwen Lotion between 36 and 86 degrees F (2 and 30 degrees C). Store in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep DesOwen Lotion out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about DesOwen Lotion, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- DesOwen Lotion is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about DesOwen Lotion. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More DesOwen resources
- DesOwen Side Effects (in more detail)
- DesOwen Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- DesOwen Drug Interactions
- DesOwen Support Group
- 5 Reviews for DesOwen - Add your own review/rating
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