Best Corticosteroid for inflammation
Top-rated pick: Desoximetasone — pharmaranks score 72/100, the highest of the 30 Corticosteroid drugs used for inflammation, ranked by our independent FDA recall-safety score. Compare them with all treatments for inflammation or the full Corticosteroid class. Not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Quick answer: Of the 30 corticosteroid drugs we rate for inflammation, 15 are available as lower-cost generics, and most are topical. Our ranking reflects each drug’s FDA recall-safety record — not clinical effectiveness for inflammation; the right choice depends on your situation, so confirm it with your prescriber.
How corticosteroid work
Corticosteroids mimic the body's natural stress hormone cortisol: they enter cells and bind a glucocorticoid receptor that switches off genes for inflammatory chemicals, calming swelling, redness, and an overactive immune response.
Other drug classes for inflammation
Top corticosteroid for inflammation: 1. Desoximetasone · 2. Fml Forte · 3. Impoyz
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 72/100 | Prescription | Topical | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 2 | 72/100 | Prescription | Drops | Generic | $13 | View → | |
| 3 | 72/100 | Prescription | Topical | No data | — | View → | |
| 4 | 72/100 | Prescription | Spray/Inhaler | No data | — | View → | |
| 5 | 70/100 | Prescription | Spray/Inhaler | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 6 | 70/100 | Prescription | Spray/Inhaler | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 7 | 70/100 | Prescription | Topical | No data | — | View → | |
| 8 | 70/100 | Prescription | Suspension | No data | — | View → | |
| 9 | 70/100 | Prescription | Topical | Generic | $5 | View → | |
| 10 | 70/100 | Prescription | Topical | Generic | $0 | View → |
Full ranking · 30 drugs
desoximetasone
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Desoximetasone is a corticosteroid used to treat Facial Dermatoses, Foot Dermatoses, Hand Dermatoses, Inflammation.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.33· 6 forms Save up to 64% in class
fml forte
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Fml Forte (Fluorometholone) is a corticosteroid used to treat Conjunctivitis, Inflammation, Keratitis.
Pharmacy pays
$12.87 /mL
Save up to 98% in classimpoyz
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Impoyz (Clobetasol Propionate) is a corticosteroid used to treat Dermatitis, Facial Dermatoses, Foot Dermatoses, Hand Dermatoses.
Price varies
sernivo
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Sernivo (Betamethasone Dipropionate) is a corticosteroid used to treat Atopic Dermatitis, Facial Dermatoses, Foot Dermatoses, Hand Dermatoses.
Price varies
asmanex hfa
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Asmanex Hfa (Mometasone Furoate) is a corticosteroid used to treat Facial Dermatoses, Foot Dermatoses, Hand Dermatoses, Inflammation.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.26· 4 forms Save up to 65% in classasmanex twisthaler
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Asmanex Twisthaler (Mometasone Furoate) is a corticosteroid used to treat Facial Dermatoses, Foot Dermatoses, Hand Dermatoses, Inflammation.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.26· 4 forms Save up to 65% in classbeta-val
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Beta-Val (Betamethasone Valerate) is a corticosteroid used to treat Atopic Dermatitis, Facial Dermatoses, Foot Dermatoses, Hand Dermatoses.
Price varies
byqlovi
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Byqlovi (Clobetasol Propionate) is a corticosteroid used to treat Dermatitis, Facial Dermatoses, Foot Dermatoses, Hand Dermatoses.
Price varies
clocortolone pivalate
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Clocortolone Pivalate is a corticosteroid used to treat Facial Dermatoses, Foot Dermatoses, Hand Dermatoses, Inflammation.
Pharmacy pays
$5.21 /g
Save up to 97% in classdesonide
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Desonide is a corticosteroid used to treat Facial Dermatoses, Foot Dermatoses, Hand Dermatoses, Inflammation.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.23· 3 forms Save up to 49% in classdiprolene
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Diprolene (Betamethasone Dipropionate) is a corticosteroid used to treat Atopic Dermatitis, Facial Dermatoses, Foot Dermatoses, Hand Dermatoses.
Price varies
fluocinonide emulsified base
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Fluocinonide Emulsified Base (Fluocinonide) is a corticosteroid used to treat Facial Dermatoses, Foot Dermatoses, Hand Dermatoses, Inflammation.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.21· 5 forms Save up to 53% in class
nasonex 24hr allergy
Over-the-counterFDA-sourced
Nasonex 24hr Allergy (Mometasone Furoate) is a corticosteroid used to treat Facial Dermatoses, Foot Dermatoses, Hand Dermatoses, Inflammation.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.26· 4 forms Save up to 65% in classalrex
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Alrex (Loteprednol Etabonate) is a corticosteroid used to treat Allergic Conjunctivitis, Bacterial Conjunctivitis, Viral Conjunctivitis, Edema.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$18.21· 2 forms Save up to 99% in class
betamethasone valerate
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Betamethasone Valerate is a corticosteroid used to treat Atopic Dermatitis, Facial Dermatoses, Foot Dermatoses, Hand Dermatoses.
Price varies
clobex
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Clobex (Clobetasol Propionate) is a corticosteroid used to treat Dermatitis, Facial Dermatoses, Foot Dermatoses, Hand Dermatoses.
Price varies
cloderm
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Cloderm (Clocortolone Pivalate) is a corticosteroid used to treat Facial Dermatoses, Foot Dermatoses, Hand Dermatoses, Inflammation.
Pharmacy pays
$5.21 /g
Save up to 97% in classcordran
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Cordran (Flurandrenolide) is a corticosteroid used to treat Facial Dermatoses, Foot Dermatoses, Hand Dermatoses, Inflammation.
Pharmacy pays
$1.16 /mL
Save up to 79% in classdesowen
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Desowen (Desonide) is a corticosteroid used to treat Facial Dermatoses, Foot Dermatoses, Hand Dermatoses, Inflammation.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.23· 3 forms Save up to 49% in classemflaza
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Emflaza (Deflazacort) is a corticosteroid used to treat Inflammation, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Price varies
eysuvis
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Eysuvis (Loteprednol Etabonate) is a corticosteroid used to treat Allergic Conjunctivitis, Bacterial Conjunctivitis, Viral Conjunctivitis, Edema.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$18.21· 2 forms Save up to 99% in classflurandrenolide
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Flurandrenolide is a corticosteroid used to treat Facial Dermatoses, Foot Dermatoses, Hand Dermatoses, Inflammation.
Pharmacy pays
$1.16 /mL
Save up to 79% in classiluvien
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Iluvien (Fluocinolone Acetonide) is a corticosteroid used to treat Atopic Dermatitis, Facial Dermatoses, Foot Dermatoses, Hand Dermatoses.
Price varies
inveltys
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Inveltys (Loteprednol Etabonate) is a corticosteroid used to treat Allergic Conjunctivitis, Bacterial Conjunctivitis, Viral Conjunctivitis, Edema.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$18.21· 2 forms Save up to 99% in classFrequently asked
- What is the best corticosteroid for inflammation?
- By our independent recall-safety rating — not an efficacy measure — desoximetasone ranks highest among Corticosteroid drugs used for inflammation. Always consult a professional.
- Which corticosteroid drugs treat inflammation?
- pharmaranks lists 30 Corticosteroid products used for inflammation, per NIH RxClass drug-classification data — each independently rated and ranked above.
- How are these ranked?
- By our independent score, currently based on FDA regulatory recall-safety data (the methodology blends additional sources as they come online). See the How we rate page.