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Medications for Eczema

Other names: Atopic Eczema; Dermatitis, Atopic; Discoid Eczema; Infantile Eczema

Eczema, or dermatitis as it is sometimes called, is a group of skin conditions which can affect all age groups. The severity of the disease can vary. In mild forms the skin is dry, hot and itchy, whilst in more severe forms the skin can become broken, raw and bleeding. Although it can sometimes look unpleasant, eczema is not contagious. With treatment the inflammation of eczema can be reduced, though the skin will always be sensitive to flare-ups and need extra care.

Drugs used to treat Eczema

The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
triamcinolone 7.0 17 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: triamcinolone topical

Brand names:  Kenalog, Aristocort A, Aristocort R, Cinolar, DermacinRx Silazone, DermacinRx Trizapak, Dermasorb TA, Juulissa Pharmapak, Oralone, SilaLite Pak, Treziopak, Trianex, Triderm, Tritocin …show all

Drug class: topical steroids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

mometasone 9.0 46 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: mometasone topical

Brand name:  Elocon

Drug class: topical steroids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

hydrocortisone 8.9 12 reviews
Rx/OTC C N

Generic name: hydrocortisone topical

Brand names:  Cortizone-10, Locoid Lipocream, Beta HC, Locoid, Ala-Cort, Ala-Scalp, Ala-Scalp HP, Aquanil HC, Aquax-H, Bioelements Immediate Comfort, Caldecort, Cortizone-5, Dermarest Plus Anti-Itch, Dermtex HC, Itch-X Lotion, NuCort, Pandel, Sarnol-HC, Texacort, U-Cort …show all

Drug class: topical steroids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

methotrexate Off-label 8.5 6 reviews
Rx X N X

Generic name: methotrexate systemic

Drug class: antimetabolites, antirheumatics, antipsoriatics, other immunosuppressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Off-label: Yes

Dupixent 6.7 170 reviews
Rx N

Generic name: dupilumab systemic

Drug class: interleukin inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

clobetasol 5.3 5 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: clobetasol topical

Brand names:  Clobex, Dermovate, Temovate, Clobevate, Clodan, Cormax, Cormax Scalp, Embeline, Embeline E, Olux, Olux-E, Tovet …show all

Drug class: topical steroids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

dupilumab 6.7 177 reviews
Rx N

Generic name: dupilumab systemic

Brand name:  Dupixent

Drug class: interleukin inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

Elidel 7.4 46 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: pimecrolimus topical

Drug class: miscellaneous topical agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

fluocinonide 8.7 8 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: fluocinonide topical

Brand names:  Fluocinonide-E, Vanos

Drug class: topical steroids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

desonide 9.1 20 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: desonide topical

Brand names:  DesOwen, Desonate, Verdeso, DesRx, LoKara …show all

Drug class: topical steroids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

prednisone 7.4 36 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: prednisone systemic

Drug class: glucocorticoids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Elocon 8.9 35 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: mometasone topical

Drug class: topical steroids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

desoximetasone 8.3 10 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: desoximetasone topical

Brand name:  Topicort

Drug class: topical steroids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

halobetasol 8.4 8 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: halobetasol topical

Brand names:  Ultravate, Halonate

Drug class: topical steroids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

pimecrolimus 7.4 49 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: pimecrolimus topical

Brand name:  Elidel

Drug class: miscellaneous topical agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Cortizone-10 9.3 3 reviews
OTC C N

Generic name: hydrocortisone topical

Drug class: topical steroids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

dexamethasone 10 6 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: dexamethasone systemic

Brand names:  Dexamethasone Intensol, De-Sone LA, Dxevo, HiDex …show all

Drug class: glucocorticoids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Topicort 8.0 2 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: desoximetasone topical

Drug class: topical steroids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

fluocinolone Rate Add review
Rx N N

Generic name: fluocinolone otic

Brand names:  DermOtic Oil, Flac

Drug class: otic steroids

For consumers: dosage, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

fluocinolone 9.0 1 review
Rx/OTC C N

Generic name: fluocinolone topical

Brand names:  Capex, Derma-Smoothe / FS, Derma-Smoothe / FS (Body Oil), Derma-Smoothe / FS (Scalp), Synalar, Synalar Ointment …show all

Drug class: topical steroids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Kenalog 6.0 2 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: triamcinolone topical

Drug class: topical steroids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Cloderm 10 2 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: clocortolone topical

Drug class: topical steroids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Dexamethasone Intensol Rate Add review
Rx C N

Generic name: dexamethasone systemic

Drug class: glucocorticoids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

fluticasone Rate Add review
Rx C N

Generic name: fluticasone topical

Brand names:  Cutivate, Beser

Drug class: topical steroids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

alclometasone Rate Add review
Rx C N

Generic name: alclometasone topical

Drug class: topical steroids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Alternative treatments for Eczema

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Eczema. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Eczema.

Learn more about Eczema

Care guides

Symptoms and treatments

Medicine.com guides (external)

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.
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.

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