Desoximetasone Spray: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Desoximetasone Spray is a prescription topical corticosteroid (generic name desoximetasone) used to treat plaque psoriasis and to relieve redness, itching, and swelling caused by certain skin conditions. It is a medium-to-high potency steroid applied directly to the skin. It works by calming inflammation in the skin and should be used exactly as directed by a doctor.

What is Desoximetasone Spray

Desoximetasone spray is a prescription corticosteroid medicine applied to the skin. It is a medium-to-high potency steroid used to calm inflamed, itchy, and irritated skin, especially plaque psoriasis.

Desoximetasone Spray uses

• Treating plaque psoriasis in adults
• Relieving skin redness, itching, and swelling caused by certain skin conditions
• Treats plaque psoriasis
• Reduces skin inflammation
• Relieves redness
• Helps reduce itching
• Reduces psoriasis-associated swelling and irritation

Benefits of Desoximetasone Spray

• Reduces redness, swelling, itching, and scaling from plaque psoriasis
• Delivers a measured, thin film to affected skin without needing to rub in a thick cream or ointment
• Provides potent localized corticosteroid action
• Helps reduce inflammatory psoriasis symptoms
• Spray formulation can be convenient for larger affected skin areas
• Limits systemic exposure compared with oral corticosteroids when used appropriately

How Desoximetasone Spray works

Desoximetasone is a corticosteroid that calms the immune cells in the skin that cause inflammation, blocks substances that trigger inflammation, and narrows blood vessels in the treated area to help reduce swelling.

Desoximetasone Spray dosage

Apply to the affected skin area twice a day, rubbing in gently. This medicine is for use on the skin only; do not get it in your eyes, nose, mouth, or vagina. Do not use the spray on your face, underarms, or groin unless your doctor tells you to, and do not use it on skin that is thinning, has cuts, scrapes, burns, or is infected. Do not bandage, wrap, or cover the treated skin unless your doctor tells you to. Wash your hands before and after applying the spray.

Keep using it for the full length of treatment prescribed, but do not use the spray for more than 4 weeks unless your doctor says to. Stop using it once your skin condition is under control, and tell your doctor if there is no improvement within 4 weeks. Avoid heat, open flame, or smoking while applying and shortly after using the spray, since the contents are flammable. Children should only use this medicine as directed and dosed by a doctor.

Available forms and strengths

• Topical cream
• Topical gel
• Topical ointment
• Topical spray

Side effects of Desoximetasone Spray

Common

• Dryness, burning, or stinging of the skin
• Irritation or itching at the application site
• Inflamed hair follicles (folliculitis)
• Bumps that may look like acne

Serious

• Severe allergic reaction (breathing problems, swelling of face/lips/tongue/throat, hives, dizziness, fainting)
• Reduced adrenal gland function (adrenal insufficiency)
• Cushing's syndrome from too much cortisol exposure
• High blood sugar
• Skin thinning, stretch marks, or skin infections at the application site
• Vision problems, including cataracts and glaucoma, which can lead to blindness

Warnings and precautions

• Do not bandage, wrap, or seal the treated skin area unless your health care provider tells you to, since this can increase the amount absorbed into your blood and raise the risk of side effects.
• Avoid using the spray on the face, groin, or armpits, and avoid areas where the skin is thinning.
• The spray is flammable. Avoid fire or flame, including smoking, during and shortly after use.
• In children, this medicine may slow height and weight growth, especially with long-term use.
• Do not use this medicine together with other corticosteroid-containing products, as this may cause serious unwanted effects.
• Watch children carefully after applying this medicine so they do not get it in their eyes or mouth, since swallowing it can cause serious side effects.
• It is not known if or how this medicine could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
• It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. Talk to your health care provider about whether you should use it while breastfeeding, and avoid getting it on your nipple or the area around it.
• Elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require caution and dose adjustment.
• Liver problems can increase the risk of serious side effects. Tell your health care provider if you have any known or suspected liver problems.
• It is not known if drinking alcohol affects this medicine.
• Desoximetasone spray generally does not impair driving.

Storage

• Store at room temperature, between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C)
• Can be exposed to temperatures between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C) for shorter periods, such as during transport
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from heat, moisture, and direct light; keep from freezing
• Do not expose the spray to heat or flame; the spray bottle is flammable
• Throw away any unused spray 30 days after opening it
• Keep out of the reach of children
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed; ask your healthcare professional how to dispose of unused medicine

When to see a doctor

• Stop using the medicine and get help right away if you have signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as breathing problems, a racing heart, swelling of the face or throat, trouble swallowing, hives, dizziness, or fainting.
• Tell your health care provider right away if you notice blurred vision, cloudy or foggy vision, eye pain or redness, severe headache, vomiting, or seeing halos around lights, since these can be signs of serious eye problems.
• Check with your doctor right away if you or your child notice thinning skin with easy bruising, reddish-purple lines, acne, changes in skin color, blistering, burning, crusting, or severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin.
• Talk to your doctor if you have blurred vision, dizziness or fainting, a fast or irregular heartbeat, increased thirst or urination, irritability, or unusual tiredness or weakness, since these may be signs of adrenal gland problems.
• If you or someone else has used too much of this medicine, get medical help right away or contact your local poison control center.

Alternatives

• Clobetasol topical
• Betamethasone
• Fluocinonide
• Mometasone topical