Comprehensive medication guide to Pandel including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$150 copay depending on plan tier; typically Tier 3 or higher on commercial formularies, which means prior authorization or step therapy (fail-first with a generic) is often required before insurance will cover Pandel.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$170 retail for a 15 g tube; $1,125–$1,175 retail for the standard 80 g tube. No generic is available, so discount cards like GoodRx offer only modest savings. Patient assistance programs through the PAN Foundation may reduce costs for eligible patients.
Medfinder Findability Score
60/100
On this page
Pandel is a prescription-only topical cream containing hydrocortisone probutate 0.1% — a synthetic corticosteroid classified as medium potency. First approved by the FDA in 1997, it is used to reduce the inflammation and itching associated with a wide range of corticosteroid-responsive skin conditions in adults 18 and older.
Pandel is manufactured and distributed by ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and is supplied in 80-gram tubes. It is a brand-name-only product — no FDA-approved generic for hydrocortisone probutate exists as of 2026.
FDA-approved indications include atopic dermatitis (eczema), contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, plaque psoriasis, scalp psoriasis, lichen simplex chronicus, discoid lupus erythematosus, granuloma annulare, pruritus ani, and genital pruritus, among other corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses.
We have a 99% success rate finding medications, even during nationwide shortages.
Need this medication?
Pandel contains hydrocortisone probutate, a double ester of hydrocortisone (17-butyrate 21-propionate). After application to the skin, the drug molecules penetrate the stratum corneum and bind to glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) inside skin cells. The drug-receptor complex enters the cell nucleus, where it regulates gene expression.
This process suppresses the production of inflammatory cytokines (interleukins, TNF-alpha), causes vasoconstriction in skin blood vessels, reduces immune cell activity (T-cells, mast cells, dendritic cells), and inhibits phospholipase A2 — reducing prostaglandin and leukotriene production. The combined effect is reduced redness, swelling, and itching at the application site.
Vasoconstrictor assay studies confirm Pandel falls in the medium potency range compared to other topical corticosteroids — more potent than OTC 1% hydrocortisone, less potent than high-potency products like clobetasol propionate. Systemic absorption is limited under normal use, but increases with large treatment areas, prolonged use, or occlusion.
0.1% (1 mg/g) — cream
Standard formulation — 80 gram tube. Apply a thin film to the affected area once or twice daily.
Pandel is not on the FDA's official drug shortage list as of 2026. However, patients frequently report difficulty filling their prescription at local pharmacies. The core issue is structural: Pandel is a brand-name-only product with no generic, which means pharmacies that see infrequent demand don't keep it in regular stock. Availability varies significantly by pharmacy and region.
Larger chain pharmacies and specialty dermatology pharmacies tend to have better access. Most pharmacies can order Pandel through their wholesale distributor within 1-2 business days if it's not on the shelf. Mail-order pharmacies typically provide the most reliable access for patients on ongoing therapy.
medfinder can help you locate which pharmacies near you have Pandel in stock — by calling pharmacies in your area and texting you the results.
Pandel is not a controlled substance, so any licensed prescriber with prescribing authority can write for it. There are no DEA registration requirements or special prescribing restrictions. A valid prescription from a licensed provider is required to dispense it.
Dermatologists — most common prescribers for eczema, psoriasis, and contact dermatitis
Primary care physicians (family medicine, internal medicine)
Nurse practitioners (NPs) — full prescribing authority in all 50 states
Physician assistants (PAs) — prescribing authority in most states
Allergists and immunologists — for atopic dermatitis patients managed alongside allergy care
Pandel can be prescribed via telehealth in all states, since it is not a controlled substance. Telehealth dermatology platforms and general practice virtual care services both commonly prescribe medium-potency topical steroids including Pandel.
No. Pandel (hydrocortisone probutate) is not a controlled substance and is not scheduled by the DEA. It is a prescription-only medication, meaning you need a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider to obtain it. However, it is not subject to the additional prescribing and dispensing restrictions that apply to opioids or other Schedule II-V medications.
Because Pandel is not a controlled substance, prescriptions can be called or faxed to the pharmacy, transmitted electronically, and refilled without the special requirements that apply to controlled substances. It can also be prescribed via telehealth in all states without additional registration requirements.
Most side effects of Pandel are local and mild. In clinical trials of 226 subjects, the most frequently reported reactions were:
Burning at the application site
Stinging at the application site
Dryness, irritation, or redness
Skin tingling or numbness (paresthesia)
Serious side effects — typically associated with prolonged use or large treatment areas — include:
HPA axis suppression (reversible) — fatigue, muscle weakness, dizziness, weight loss
Cushing's syndrome — moon face, buffalo hump, slow wound healing, new stretch marks
Skin thinning (atrophy), discoloration, or stretch marks (striae) with prolonged use
Hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar) with systemic absorption
Allergic contact dermatitis — worsening skin condition rather than improvement
Increased risk of cataracts or glaucoma with prolonged facial use
Know what you need? Skip the search.
Triamcinolone acetonide (Kenalog)
Medium-potency topical corticosteroid available as a widely stocked generic. Very affordable, typically $5-$20 with coupon. Comparable potency to Pandel for most body applications.
Hydrocortisone butyrate (Locoid)
Most chemically similar to Pandel — both are butyrate-family esters of hydrocortisone. Available as a generic, medium potency, widely stocked.
Mometasone furoate (Elocon)
Medium-potency topical corticosteroid with once-daily dosing advantage. Available as a generic with good insurance coverage.
Desonide (DesOwen)
Lower-potency topical corticosteroid suitable for sensitive skin areas including face and skin folds. Available as a generic.
Tacrolimus (Protopic)
Non-steroidal calcineurin inhibitor for atopic dermatitis. No skin-thinning risk; good for long-term facial and flexural use.
Prefer Pandel? We can find it.
Other topical corticosteroids
moderateConcurrent use on different body areas increases total systemic corticosteroid burden and risk of HPA axis suppression.
Antidiabetic medications (insulin, metformin, sulfonylureas)
moderateCorticosteroid absorption (especially at large treatment areas) can raise blood glucose levels and reduce effectiveness of antidiabetic drugs.
Systemic immunosuppressants (cyclosporine, methotrexate, biologics)
moderateCombination increases overall immune suppression. Clinically used in practice but should be managed by prescribing provider.
CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole, certain HIV medications)
minorMay increase systemic corticosteroid exposure if significant absorption occurs. More relevant with large treatment areas or occlusion.
Occlusive topical products (petroleum jelly)
moderateApplying occlusive agents over Pandel dramatically increases skin absorption and the risk of systemic side effects.
Pandel (hydrocortisone probutate 0.1% cream) is a well-established medium-potency topical corticosteroid with a long track record since its FDA approval in 1997. It is effective for a wide range of inflammatory and pruritic skin conditions and is safe when used as directed. The key challenge with Pandel in 2026 is access: its brand-name-only status means no generic substitute, higher pharmacy costs, and inconsistent stocking at retail pharmacies.
Patients who are prescribed Pandel should be aware that they may need to search across multiple pharmacies, request a special order, or consider a mail-order supply for ongoing therapy. For cost-sensitive patients, discussing alternatives with a prescribing provider — especially generic hydrocortisone butyrate or triamcinolone acetonide — can provide comparable clinical benefit at a fraction of the cost.
If you're struggling to find Pandel at a pharmacy near you, medfinder can help by calling pharmacies in your area and texting you which ones have it in stock. This saves time and ensures you can start treatment without unnecessary delays.
Medfinder Editorial Standards
Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
Real-time availability
Medfinder is actively checking pharmacy inventory for Pandel. We don't publish a number until we have enough verified pharmacy checks to be accurate — start a search and our team confirms current availability near you, usually within 24 hours.
ChatGPT
Claude
Gemini