INN monograph
Desonide (Topical)
Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class) · POM
Verified · Updated 01 Aug 2026 · Source: Local active-ingredient clinical extract; Professional class pharmacology (Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class))
Kenya market
Wholesale / list prices where loaded
Risk first
Contraindications
- Use on rosacea acne, peri-oral dermatitis, scabies, leg ulcers, tuberculous, untreated viral, bacterial or fungal infections, reaction to smallpox vaccination, first three months of pregnancy, continous prophylactic use.
Precautions
- Limit use in children or on face to maximum of 5 days.
- It should be withdrawn gradually following prolonged therapy.
- Unless fully unavoidable, potent corticosteroids should not be used on the face as they may precipitate a rosacea-like disorder and aggravate any pre-existing rosacea, avoid use in an occluded area, near the eye, use in the presence of skin infections without concomitant use of anti-microbial, children under 1yr, on weeping foci.
Point of care
Dosing
Adult
Dosing is indication-, age-, weight- and organ-function-specific for this INN. Do not use class averages for high-risk patients. Confirm the exact regimen in the current SmPC and Kenya Standard Treatment Guidelines. Typical professional workflow: (1) confirm indication, (2) check renal/hepatic function, (3) screen interactions/allergies, (4) select dose/route/duration, (5) define monitoring.
Paediatric
Paediatric dosing is weight- and age-based; use a paediatric formulary / SmPC. Do not extrapolate adult tablets without calculation.
Renal
Review renal impairment dosing; many agents need CrCl/eGFR adjustment.
- CrCl 0–120: Confirm renal dosing in product SmPC / primary label.
Hepatic
Review hepatic impairment dosing; monitor LFTs if agent is hepatically cleared or hepatotoxic.
Safety
Drug interactions
- Professional use: confirm indication, dose, duration, monitoring and patient counselling points against current Kenya STG / EML and the product SmPC.
- Document allergy status and key interactions.
Safety
Adverse effects
- Local irritation e.g burning sensation and itching, erythema rare, dryness of the skin, aggravation of concurrent untreated infections, thinning of the skin (this may be reversible), loss of skin elasticity, folliculitis, change in skin pigmentation, telangiectasia, purpura and steroid acne, increased growth of hair, severe pituitary-adrenal axis suppression and hypercotism, cushoid state, growth retardation, benign intra-cranial hypertension.
Use
Indications
- Relief of some inflammatory conditions when potentially less harmful measures are ineffective Clinical selection for Desonide (Topical) should follow culture results where relevant, Kenya STG/EML recommendations, and the current product SmPC.
- Class context: Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class).
- Confirm site-specific dose, duration and monitoring before prescribing.
Pharmacology
Mode of action
It diffuses across cell membranes and forms a complex with specific cytoplasmic receptors.
Full mechanism text
It diffuses across cell membranes and forms a complex with specific cytoplasmic receptors. These complexes then enter the cell nucleus, binds to DNA, and stimulate transcription of messenger RNA [mRNA]. Messenger RNA leads to protein synthesis of various enzymes that are responsible for the effects of systemic corticosteroids. Betamethasone may suppress transcription of mRNA in some cells like lymphocytes.
ADME
Pharmacokinetics & PD
| Onset | Product-specific |
|---|---|
| Duration | Product-specific |
| Route | See product SmPC |
| Elimination | are product-specific. Consider food effects, protein binding, hepatic CYP/UGT |
| Half-life | when adjusting for organ impairment, age and drug interactions. Verify parameters in the current SmPC. |
Full PK/PD text
Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion are product-specific. Consider food effects, protein binding, hepatic CYP/UGT metabolism, renal clearance and half-life when adjusting for organ impairment, age and drug interactions. Verify parameters in the current SmPC.
Kenya
Brands & prices
| Brand | Company | Pack | KES |
|---|---|---|---|
| No brands linked yet. | |||
Special populations
Pregnancy & lactation
Pregnancy
Use only if potential benefit justifies potential risk; prefer agents with better reproductive data when alternatives exist.
Lactation
Assess infant risk vs benefit of maternal therapy; prefer agents with lactation data.
Diet
Food & alcohol
- Food
- Food
Trust
Sources & disclaimer
Source: Local active-ingredient clinical extract; Professional class pharmacology (Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class))
Last reviewed: 01 Aug 2026
Decision support only — not a substitute for clinical judgment, product SmPC, or Kenya STG/EML.