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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.

See also: sub-topics

Drugs used to treat Seborrheic Dermatitis

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
ketoconazole 7.8 18 reviews
Rx/OTC C N

Generic name: ketoconazole topical

Brand names:  Nizoral Topical, Nizoral A-D, Extina, Xolegel, Ketodan, Kuric …show all

Drug class: topical antifungals

For consumers: dosage, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

clobetasol Off-label 5.5 4 reviews
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

Nizoral Topical 10 1 review
Rx/OTC C N

Generic name: ketoconazole topical

Drug class: topical antifungals

For consumers: dosage, side effects

ciclopirox 9.3 3 reviews
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

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, 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

selenium sulfide 6.2 5 reviews
Rx/OTC C N

Generic name: selenium sulfide topical

Brand names:  Dandrex, SelRx, Selsun Blue Medicated, Tersi Foam …show all

Drug class: miscellaneous topical agents

For consumers: dosage, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Loprox 9.0 2 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: ciclopirox topical

Drug class: topical antifungals

For consumers: dosage, side effects

For professionals: 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

fluocinolone 10 1 review
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 …show all

Drug class: topical steroids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

dexamethasone Rate Add review
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

Nizoral A-D 1.0 1 review
Rx/OTC C N

Generic name: ketoconazole topical

Drug class: topical antifungals

For consumers: dosage, side effects

pyrithione zinc 6.0 2 reviews
OTC N N

Generic name: pyrithione zinc topical

Brand names:  DHS Zinc, Aveeno Nourish + Dandruff Control, Beta Med, Dermazinc, DermaZinc Shampoo, Neutrogena T/Gel Daily Control, Selsun Blue Itchy Dry Scalp, Theraplex Z, Zincon, ZNP Bar …show all

Drug class: miscellaneous topical agents

For consumers: dosage, side effects

sulfacetamide sodium 10 1 review
Rx C N

Generic name: sulfacetamide sodium topical

Brand names:  Klaron, Ovace, Mexar, Ovace Plus, Plexion NS Shampoo …show all

Drug class: topical antibiotics

For consumers: dosage, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

coal tar 7.0 1 review
Rx/OTC C N

Generic name: coal tar topical

Brand names:  Neutrogena T/Gel, Balnetar, Betatar Gel, Cutar, DHS Tar Shampoo, Doak Tar, Elta Tar, Estar, Fototar, Ionil T, Medotar, MG217 Medicated Tar, Neutrogena T/Derm, Oxipor VHC, Psoriasin, Scytera, Tarsum, Theraplex T …show all

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

Extina 10 1 review
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

sulfacetamide sodium/sulfur 9.5 2 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: sulfacetamide sodium/sulfur topical

Brand names:  Clarifoam EF, Avar, Avar-E, Avar-E Green, Avar-E LS, Avar Cleanser, Avar LS, Avar LS Cleanser, BP 10-Wash, Cerisa Wash, Clenia Emollient Cream, Plexion, SSS 10-4, SSS 10-5, SSS Cleanser, Sulfacleanse 8/4, Sulfatol, Sumadan, Sumaxin, Sumaxin Cleansing Pads, Suphera …show all

Drug class: topical antibiotics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Xolegel 7.7 6 reviews
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
Rx/OTC C N

Generic name: fluocinolone topical

Drug class: topical steroids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Dxevo Rate Add review
Rx C N

Generic name: dexamethasone systemic

Drug class: glucocorticoids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

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.
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

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