Best Corticosteroid for scalp dermatoses
Top-rated pick: Clocortolone Pivalate — pharmaranks score 72/100, the highest of the 5 Corticosteroid drugs used for scalp dermatoses, ranked by our independent FDA recall-safety score. Compare them with all treatments for scalp dermatoses or the full Corticosteroid class. Not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Quick answer: Of the 5 corticosteroid drugs we rate for scalp dermatoses, all are available as lower-cost generics, and most are topical. Our ranking reflects each drug’s FDA recall-safety record — not clinical effectiveness for scalp dermatoses; 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.
Top corticosteroid for scalp dermatoses: 1. Clocortolone Pivalate · 2. Desonide · 3. Desoximetasone
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 72/100 | Prescription | Topical | Generic | $5 | View → | |
| 2 | 72/100 | Prescription | Topical | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 3 | 72/100 | Prescription | Topical | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 4 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Topical | Generic | $5 | View → | |
| 5 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Topical | Generic | $0 | View → |
Full ranking · 5 drugs
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 50% in classdesoximetasone
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 classcloderm
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 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 50% in classFrequently asked
- What is the best corticosteroid for scalp dermatoses?
- By our independent recall-safety rating — not an efficacy measure — clocortolone pivalate ranks highest among Corticosteroid drugs used for scalp dermatoses. Always consult a professional.
- Which corticosteroid drugs treat scalp dermatoses?
- pharmaranks lists 5 Corticosteroid products used for scalp dermatoses, 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.
Where this ranking comes from
Our score is computed from public FDA data — not from opinion, sponsorship or user votes. How we rate.
- FDA Drug Enforcement (recall) database — the recall history behind the safety score
- DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine) — the FDA labels we quote for uses, dosing and warnings
- Drugs@FDA — approvals, strengths and marketing status