Comprehensive medication guide to Urea including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$50 copay for prescription-strength urea on most commercial plans and Medicare Part D; OTC strengths typically not covered; prior authorization may be required for some brand-name or high-concentration formulations.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$10–$25 for OTC urea 10% lotion; $80–$141 retail for generic urea 40% cream; as low as $29–$79 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons for a 30-day supply.
Medfinder Findability Score
88/100
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Urea topical (also called carbamide) is a keratolytic emollient — a medication that both moisturizes and softens thickened, hardened skin and nails. It is available over-the-counter in concentrations from 2% to 20% and by prescription in concentrations from 20% to 50%. The urea in pharmaceutical preparations is synthetically manufactured, not derived from urine.
Urea is sold under more than 60 brand names, including Carmol, Keralac, Aluvea, Kerafoam, Hydro 40, Gordons Urea, Nutraplus, and many others. Many older brand names have been discontinued; prescribing generic urea at the appropriate concentration ensures patients can fill their prescriptions.
Urea is one of the most versatile and widely prescribed dermatological agents, used by dermatologists, podiatrists, primary care providers, and nurse practitioners alike. It is indicated for dry rough skin, eczema, psoriasis, ichthyosis, keratosis pilaris, calluses, corns, keratoderma, and damaged or ingrown nails.
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Urea works through two concentration-dependent mechanisms. At lower concentrations (2%–10%), urea acts as a humectant — drawing moisture from the environment and deeper skin layers into the stratum corneum (outer skin layer), increasing water retention and improving the skin's natural barrier function. This makes low-concentration urea an effective daily moisturizer for dry skin conditions.
At higher concentrations (20%–50%), urea becomes keratolytic — it dissolves the intercellular matrix (the protein "glue" holding dead skin cells together), loosening the stratum corneum and causing controlled shedding of thickened, hyperkeratotic skin. At 40%–50%, urea can dissolve the intercellular matrix of the nail plate itself, enabling non-surgical softening and removal of damaged, ingrown, or thickened nails.
Beyond moisturizing and exfoliating, urea also acts as a penetration enhancer (increasing absorption of co-applied topicals like corticosteroids and antifungals), plays a role in keratinocyte proliferation regulation, exhibits mild antimicrobial activity, and has antipruritic (anti-itch) effects.
10% — cream/lotion
OTC; general moisturizing, mild dry skin; suitable for face and sensitive areas
20% — cream/lotion
OTC or Rx; keratosis pilaris, moderate dry skin, diabetic foot care
40% — cream/lotion/foam
Rx only; severe hyperkeratosis, calluses, nail debridement; apply twice daily
45–47% — cream/gel
Rx only; nail softening, severe nail conditions; apply to nail twice daily
50% — cream/gel/ointment/emulsion
Rx only; maximum keratolytic strength for nail debridement and wound debridement
There is no active FDA-declared national shortage of urea topical in 2026. Lower-concentration OTC urea products (2%–20%) are widely available at virtually all major pharmacies, drugstores, and online retailers. However, prescription-strength urea products (40%+) can be significantly harder to find, because they are specialty dermatology items that many retail pharmacies do not consistently stock.
The availability challenge is compounded by brand fragmentation: over 60 brand names have been used for urea topical products, and many are now discontinued. Prescriptions written for discontinued brands cannot be filled. Patients should ask their prescriber to write generically (e.g., "urea 40% cream") to maximize pharmacist flexibility in finding an available product.
To find which pharmacies near you have your specific urea product in stock, use medfinder — medfinder contacts local pharmacies on your behalf and texts you which ones have your medication available.
Because urea topical is not a controlled substance, it can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider with prescribing authority. There are no DEA requirements, special certifications, or prescriber-specific restrictions for urea.
Dermatologists — most common prescribers for skin conditions requiring prescription-strength urea
Primary care physicians (PCPs) — frequently prescribe urea for dry skin, eczema, psoriasis
Podiatrists — regularly prescribe urea 40%–50% for calluses, corns, cracked heels, and nail conditions
Nurse practitioners (NPs) — full prescribing authority for urea in most states
Physician assistants (PAs) — can prescribe urea under collaboration agreements
Pediatricians — prescribe urea for children with ichthyosis, keratosis pilaris, and other pediatric skin conditions
Telehealth is a convenient option for obtaining a urea prescription. Because urea is not a controlled substance, dermatology telehealth platforms can prescribe it in all 50 states after a virtual consultation. Platforms including Teladoc, MDLive, Curology, and Apostrophe offer dermatology telehealth services.
No. Urea topical is not a controlled substance and has no DEA scheduling. It has no abuse potential, no addiction risk, and no special prescribing requirements.
This means urea can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider with prescribing authority — including primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dermatologists, and podiatrists. It can be prescribed via telephone or telehealth in all 50 states. There are no limits on prescription refills attributable to controlled substance regulations.
Lower-concentration urea products (2%–10%) are available over the counter without any prescription at pharmacies, grocery stores, and online retailers. Concentrations of 40% and above require a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
Urea topical is generally very well tolerated. Most side effects are local, mild, and transient:
Transient stinging or burning at the application site (most common, especially at higher concentrations)
Mild itching (pruritus) during the first few days of use
Local skin irritation or mild redness at the treated area
Skin peeling or flaking (expected with high-concentration products — this is the keratolytic effect working)
Photosensitivity — increased sun sensitivity with some formulations; use SPF 30+ if treating exposed areas
Serious side effects (seek immediate care):
Allergic reaction: hives, rash, blistering/peeling skin, facial swelling, difficulty breathing — stop use immediately and call your doctor
Significant worsening of the treated skin condition — contact your prescriber
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Ammonium Lactate (Lac-Hydrin, AmLactin)
Alpha-hydroxy acid keratolytic; comparable efficacy to urea 10%–20% for xerosis and mild KP; gentler than high-concentration urea; available OTC at 12%
Salicylic Acid (Kerasal, Compound W)
Beta-hydroxy acid with strong keratolytic action; effective for calluses, corns, warts, psoriasis; available OTC and by prescription
Lactic Acid (AmLactin, LacHydrin)
Alpha-hydroxy acid; humectant and mild keratolytic; first-choice for keratosis pilaris by 44% of dermatologists; 10% lactic acid reduced KP by 66% in 12-week studies
Tretinoin/Topical Retinoids (Retin-A)
Rx only; promotes deep keratinocyte turnover; used for severe ichthyosis and extensive psoriasis when urea is insufficient
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Topical Corticosteroids
minorUrea enhances penetration of co-applied corticosteroids — intentionally used in combination products (e.g., Carmol HC). Extended-use combinations may increase steroid systemic absorption risk.
Topical Antifungals
minorUrea 40% used with antifungals (ciclopirox, amorolfine, bifonazole) for onychomycosis; urea enhances nail penetration of antifungals — this is an intentional, clinically useful combination.
Topical Retinoids
minorCombination with topical retinoids may increase skin irritation and peeling; use as directed by dermatologist.
Other Topical Skin Products
minorUrea increases skin permeability for any topical product applied to the same area; inform your dermatologist about all topicals used in the treatment area.
Urea topical is one of the most effective and well-tolerated medications in the entire dermatology pharmacopeia. Its dual action — moisturizing at lower concentrations and keratolytic at higher concentrations — makes it useful for an exceptionally broad range of skin and nail conditions. It has an excellent safety profile, no meaningful drug interactions, and is available in formulations from mild OTC moisturizers to potent prescription nail debriders.
The main challenge patients face with urea is not the medication itself — it's finding the right concentration at a pharmacy that has it in stock. The prescription-strength market is fragmented across dozens of brands (many discontinued) and concentrations, and retail pharmacies stock these products inconsistently. For patients on chronic urea therapy, establishing a reliable pharmacy relationship or switching to mail order is the most effective long-term solution.
If you're having trouble locating your urea prescription at a pharmacy near you, medfinder contacts local pharmacies on your behalf to identify which ones have your specific urea product in stock — and texts you the results.
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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
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