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Medications for Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition characterized by loose, greasy or dry, white to yellowish scales, with or without associated reddened skin. Cradle cap is the term used when seborrheic dermatitis affects the scalp of infants.

Drugs used to treat Seborrheic Dermatitis

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

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Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
ketoconazole 7.7 21 reviews for ketoconazole to treat Seborrheic Dermatitis
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
ketoconazole topical
Brand names:
Nizoral Topical, Extina, Nizoral A-D, Xolegel, Ketodan, Kuric
Drug class:
topical antifungals
For consumers:
dosage, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
clobetasol Off-label 5.5 4 reviews for clobetasol to treat Seborrheic Dermatitis
Rx C N
Generic name:
clobetasol topical
Drug class:
topical steroids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
ciclopirox 9.3 3 reviews for ciclopirox to treat Seborrheic Dermatitis
Rx B N
Generic name:
ciclopirox topical
Brand names:
Loprox, Ciclodan, CNL8 Nail
Drug class:
topical antifungals
For consumers:
dosage, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Nizoral Topical 10 1 review for Nizoral Topical to treat Seborrheic Dermatitis
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
ketoconazole topical
Drug class:
topical antifungals
For consumers:
dosage, side effects
hydrocortisone Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
hydrocortisone topical
Brand names:
Locoid, Ala-Cort, Ala-Scalp, Ala-Scalp HP, Locoid Lipocream, Aquanil HC, Beta HC, Caldecort, Cortizone-5, Dermtex HC, Itch-X Lotion, NuCort, Pandel, Sarnol-HC, Texacort, U-Cort
Drug class:
topical steroids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
fluocinolone 10 1 review for fluocinolone to treat Seborrheic Dermatitis
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
fluocinolone topical
Brand names:
Derma-Smoothe / FS (Scalp), Capex, Derma-Smoothe / FS, Derma-Smoothe / FS (Body Oil), Synalar, Synalar Ointment
Drug class:
topical steroids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Loprox 9.0 2 reviews for Loprox to treat Seborrheic Dermatitis
Rx B N
Generic name:
ciclopirox topical
Drug class:
topical antifungals
For consumers:
dosage, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
selenium sulfide 6.2 5 reviews for selenium sulfide to treat Seborrheic Dermatitis
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
selenium sulfide topical
Brand names:
Dandrex, SelRx, Selsun Blue Medicated, Tersi Foam
Drug class:
miscellaneous topical agents
For consumers:
dosage, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
prednisone Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
prednisone systemic
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
pyrithione zinc 6.0 2 reviews for pyrithione zinc to treat Seborrheic Dermatitis
OTC N N
Generic name:
pyrithione zinc topical
Brand names:
DHS Zinc, Aveeno Nourish + Dandruff Control, Beta Med, Dermazinc, DermaZinc Shampoo, Head & Shoulders, Neutrogena T/Gel Daily Control, Selsun Blue Itchy Dry Scalp, Theraplex Z, Zincon, ZNP Bar
Drug class:
miscellaneous topical agents
For consumers:
dosage, side effects
sulfacetamide sodium 10 2 reviews for sulfacetamide sodium to treat Seborrheic Dermatitis
Rx C N
Generic name:
sulfacetamide sodium topical
Brand names:
Klaron, Ovace, Mexar, Ovace Plus, Plexion NS Shampoo
Drug class:
topical antibiotics
For consumers:
dosage, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
coal tar 7.0 1 review for coal tar to treat Seborrheic Dermatitis
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
coal tar topical
Brand names:
Neutrogena T/Gel, Anti-Dandruff, Balnetar, Betatar Gel, Cutar, DHS Tar Shampoo, Doak Tar, Elta Tar, Fototar, Ionil T, Medotar, MG217 Medicated Tar, MG217 Psoriasis, Neutrogena T/Derm, Neutrogena T/Gel Extra Strength, Oxipor VHC, PC Tar, Psoriasin, Scytera, Tarsum, Therapeutic
Drug class:
miscellaneous topical agents
For consumers:
interactions, side effects
Dexamethasone Intensol Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
dexamethasone systemic
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
dexamethasone Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
dexamethasone systemic
Brand names:
Dexamethasone Intensol, De-Sone LA, Dxevo, HiDex
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Extina 10 1 review for Extina to treat Seborrheic Dermatitis
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
ketoconazole topical
Drug class:
topical antifungals
For consumers:
dosage, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Locoid Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
hydrocortisone topical
Drug class:
topical steroids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Nizoral A-D 1.0 1 review for Nizoral A-D to treat Seborrheic Dermatitis
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
ketoconazole topical
Drug class:
topical antifungals
For consumers:
dosage, side effects
sulfacetamide sodium/sulfur 9.5 2 reviews for sulfacetamide sodium/sulfur to treat Seborrheic Dermatitis
Rx C N
Generic name:
sulfacetamide sodium/sulfur topical
Brand names:
Avar LS Cleanser, Avar, Avar-E, Avar-E Green, Avar-E LS, Avar Cleanser, Avar LS, BP 10-Wash, Clarifoam EF, Plexion, Plexion Cleanser, Plexion Cleansing Cloths, SSS 10-4, SSS 10-5, SSS Cleanser, Sulfacleanse 8/4, Sumadan, Sumaxin, Sumaxin Cleansing Pads, Suphera
Drug class:
topical antibiotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
tacrolimus Off-label 8.0 1 review for tacrolimus to treat Seborrheic Dermatitis
Rx C N
Generic name:
tacrolimus topical
Drug class:
miscellaneous topical agents
For consumers:
dosage, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
Xolegel 7.7 6 reviews for Xolegel to treat Seborrheic Dermatitis
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
ketoconazole topical
Drug class:
topical antifungals
For consumers:
dosage, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Ala-Cort Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
hydrocortisone topical
Drug class:
topical steroids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Ala-Scalp Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
hydrocortisone topical
Drug class:
topical steroids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Ala-Scalp HP Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
hydrocortisone topical
Drug class:
topical steroids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
De-Sone LA Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
dexamethasone systemic
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Derma-Smoothe / FS (Scalp) 10 1 review for Derma-Smoothe / FS (Scalp) to treat Seborrheic Dermatitis
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
fluocinolone topical
Drug class:
topical steroids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Topics under Seborrheic Dermatitis

Learn more about Seborrheic Dermatitis

Care guides

Symptoms and treatments

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.