Topical Corticosteroids for Atopic Dermatitis

All medicines have side effects. But many people don't feel the side effects, or they are able to deal with them. Ask your pharmacist about the side effects of each medicine you take. Side effects are also listed in the information that comes with your medicine.

Here are some important things to think about:

• Usually the benefits of the medicine are more important than any minor side effects.
• Side effects may go away after you take the medicine for a while.
• If side effects still bother you and you wonder if you should keep taking the medicine, call your doctor. He or she may be able to lower your dose or change your medicine. Do not suddenly quit taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Call 911 or other emergency services right away if you have:

• Trouble breathing.
• Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor if you have:

• Hives.
• A worsening of the rash.
• A burning sensation, itching, irritation, dryness, or redness where you applied the medicine.
• Blurred vision.
• Increased urination.
• Excessive thirst.
• Mood changes.

Common side effects of this medicine include:

• Headache.
• Indigestion.
• Increased appetite.
• Restlessness.
• Increased risk of infection.

The face is especially sensitive to thinning of the skin. Using topical corticosteroids on the face can result in enlarged blood vessels (telangiectasias), bruising, acne, and stretch marks (striae).

With long-term use, high-strength topical corticosteroids cause temporary thinning of the skin, making it more easily irritated. But when used carefully and mostly in low-strength doses, topical corticosteroids can be used for many years without severe side effects.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

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