WARNINGS
No information provided.
PRECAUTIONS
General: Systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids can produce reversible
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression with the potential for
glucocorticosteroid insufficiency after withdrawal of treatment. Manifestations
of Cushing's syndrome, hyperglycemia, and glucosuria can also be produced in
some patients by systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids while on treatment.
Patients applying a topical steroid to a large surface area or to areas under
occlusion should be evaluated periodically for evidence of HPA axis suppression.
This may be done by using the ACTH stimulation, A.M. plasma cortisol, and urinary
free cortisol tests. Patients receiving superpotent corticosteroids should not
be treated for more than 2 weeks at a time and only small areas should be treated
at any one time due to the increased risk of HPA axis suppression.
If HPA axis suppression is noted, an attempt should be made to withdraw the
drug, to reduce the frequency of application, or to substitute a less potent
corticosteroid. Recovery of HPA axis function is generally prompt and complete
upon discontinuation of topical corticosteroids. Infrequently, signs and symptoms
of glucocorticosteroid insufficiency may occur requiring supplemental systemic
corticosteroids. For information on systemic supplementation, see prescribing
information for those products.
Pediatric patients may be more susceptible to systemic toxicity from equivalent
doses due to their larger skin surface to body mass ratios. (See PRECAUTIONS
- Pediatric use).
If irritation develops, DesOwen® (desonide cream, ointment and lotion) Cream, Ointment or Lotion should be discontinued
and appropriate therapy instituted. Allergic contact dermatitis with corticosteroids
is usually diagnosed by observing failure to heal rather than noting
a clinical exacerbation as with most topical products not containing corticosteroids.
Such an observation should be corroborated with appropriate diagnostic patch
testing.
If concomitant skin infections are present or develop, an appropriate antifungal
or antibacterial agent should be used. If a favorable response does not occur
promptly, use of DesOwen® (desonide cream, ointment and lotion) Cream, Ointment
or Lotion should be discontinued until the infection has been adequately controlled.
Laboratory tests: The following tests may be helpful in evaluating patients
for HPA axis suppression:
ACTH stimulation test
A.M. plasma cortisol test
Urinary free cortisol test
Carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, and impairment of fertility: Long-term
animal studies have not been performed to evaluate the carcinogenic potential
or the effect on reproduction with the use of DesOwen® (desonide cream, ointment and lotion) Cream, Ointment,
and Lotion.
Pregnancy:Teratogenic effects: Pregnancy category C:
Corticosteroids have been shown to be teratogenic in laboratory animals when
administered systemically at relatively low dosage levels. Some corticosteroids
have been shown to be teratogenic after dermal application in laboratory animals.
Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with DesOwen® (desonide cream, ointment and lotion) Cream,
Ointment or Lotion. It is also not known whether DesOwen® (desonide cream, ointment and lotion) Cream, Ointment
or Lotion can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can
affect reproduction capacity. DesOwen® (desonide cream, ointment and lotion) Cream, Ointment and Lotion should
be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.
Nursing mothers: Systemically administered corticosteroids appear in
human milk and could suppress growth, interfere with endogenous corticosteroid
production, or cause other untoward effects. It is not known whether topical
administration of corticosteroids could result in sufficient systemic absorption
to produce detectable quantities in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted
in human milk, caution should be exercised when DesOwen® (desonide cream, ointment and lotion) Cream, Ointment
or Lotion is administered to a nursing woman.
Pediatric use: Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not
been established. Because of a higher ratio of skin surface area to body mass,
pediatric patients are at a greater risk than adults of HPA axis suppression
when they are treated with topical corticosteroids. They are therefore also
at greater risk of glucocorticosteroid insufficiency after withdrawal of treatment
and of Cushing's syndrome while on treatment. Adverse effects including striae
have been reported with inappropriate use of topical corticosteroids in infants
and children.
HPA axis suppression, Cushing's syndrome, linear growth retardation, delayed
weight gain and intracranial hypertension have been reported in children receiving
topical corticosteroids. Manifestations of adrenal suppression in children include
low plasma cortisol levels, and absence of response to ACTH stimulation. Manifestations
of intracranial hypertension include bulging fontanelles, headaches, and bilateral
papilledema.