Fluocinolone Cream: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Fluocinolone Cream (fluocinolone acetonide) is a medium-strength topical corticosteroid used to relieve itching, redness, and inflammation associated with various skin conditions, including psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis. It comes in several forms, such as cream, ointment, solution, shampoo, and oil. It works by acting on natural substances in the skin to reduce swelling, redness, and itching. It should be used exactly as directed, as long-term or excessive use can lead to side effects.

What is Fluocinolone Cream

Fluocinolone cream is a medium-strength topical corticosteroid medicine applied to the skin. It comes in several forms, including cream, ointment, solution, shampoo, and oil.

Fluocinolone Cream uses

• Itching, redness, dryness, crusting, scaling, inflammation, and discomfort of various skin conditions
• Psoriasis
• Eczema
• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Atopic dermatitis
• Dermatitis
• Allergic skin reactions and rashes

Benefits of Fluocinolone Cream

• Reduces swelling, redness, and itching of the skin
• Helps calm allergy-related or other skin problems

How Fluocinolone Cream works

Fluocinolone is a corticosteroid. It works by acting on natural substances in the skin to reduce swelling, redness, and itching. It may work by lowering the body's production of certain chemicals called prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which cause swelling and itching.

Fluocinolone Cream dosage

Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use exactly as directed; do not apply more or less, or more often, than prescribed. Do not apply to other areas of the body or use to treat other skin conditions unless directed by your doctor.

Apply a small amount to cover the affected area in a thin, even film and rub in gently. Wash your hands before and after use, unless treating the hands themselves. Clean and dry the affected area before applying.

For scalp use, part the hair to reach the affected skin. For shampoo, shake the bottle well, apply to the scalp, work into a lather, leave on for the directed time, then rinse thoroughly. Do not cover the head with a shower cap, bathing cap, or towel while shampoo is on the scalp unless told to do so by your doctor. For oil used on the scalp, wet the hair and scalp first, apply the oil, and cover with the supplied shower cap for several hours or overnight before washing hair as usual.

Avoid getting the medicine in the eyes, nose, or mouth, and do not swallow it. Avoid use on the face, groin, rectal area, skin creases, and armpits unless your doctor directs otherwise. Do not bandage, wrap, or cover the treated area unless your doctor tells you to, since this may increase side effects. If treating a child's diaper area, avoid tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants. Do not apply cosmetics or other skin products on the treated area without talking to your doctor.

Your skin condition should improve within the first couple of weeks; contact your doctor if it does not improve or gets worse. Children may need extra caution because they are at higher risk of side effects.

Available forms and strengths

• Ointment
• Cream
• Solution
• Shampoo
• Oil

Side effects of Fluocinolone Cream

Common

• Burning, itching, irritation, redness, or drying of the skin
• Acne
• Change in skin color
• Bruising or shiny skin
• Tiny red bumps or rash around the mouth
• Small white or red bumps on the skin
• Cracking of the skin

Serious

• Severe skin rash
• Hives
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Wheezing
• Redness, swelling, or other signs of skin infection where the medicine was applied
• Signs of Cushing's syndrome, such as roundness of the face, weight gain (especially around the middle), a hump between the shoulders, or pink or purple stretch marks
• Signs of adrenal insufficiency, such as tiredness, muscle weakness, weight loss, dizziness, or fainting
• Slowed growth and delayed weight gain in children
• Thinning of the skin and nearby tissues with long-term use
• Cataracts or increased eye pressure/glaucoma with use near the eyes

Warnings and precautions

• Using this medicine for a long time or over a large area of skin can lead to adrenal insufficiency, a condition where the adrenal glands stop making enough steroid hormone. This usually happens after stopping the drug.
• Some of the medicine can be absorbed into the bloodstream and cause too much steroid to build up in the body, leading to Cushing's syndrome. To help prevent this, don't cover the skin with airtight bandages, and avoid long-term use or use over large areas unless your doctor tells you to.
• This medicine raises the risk of skin infection. Tell your doctor right away if you have a current infection or develop a new one.
• Long-term use may cause thinning of the skin and nearby tissue. Ask your doctor how long it is safe to use this medicine.
• Do not use this medicine to treat rosacea or the rash known as perioral dermatitis (rash around the mouth).
• Never use this medicine again if you have ever had an allergic reaction to it, since doing so could be life-threatening.
• Do not use on cuts, scrapes, or damaged skin, and be careful when applying to large areas or open wounds.
• This medicine may raise the risk of cataracts or glaucoma.
• Children are at higher risk of side effects and the drug may affect their growth in some cases.
• For external use only — do not use in the eyes, mouth, or vagina. Avoid contact with the eyes. Prolonged exposure around the eyes may increase the risk of glaucoma and cataracts.
• Do not use occlusive dressings or tightly cover the treated area unless specifically directed by a doctor. Avoid applying to large areas of skin or using it for prolonged periods without medical supervision. Prolonged or excessive use may cause skin thinning, stretch marks, irritation, acne-like eruptions, or changes in skin color.
• Topical corticosteroids can sometimes be absorbed into the bloodstream and cause HPA-axis suppression, Cushing's syndrome, increased blood glucose, or glucosuria. Children are more susceptible to systemic corticosteroid effects because they can absorb proportionally larger amounts through their skin.
• It is not known how this medicine interacts with alcohol. Ask your doctor before drinking alcohol while using it.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. This medicine should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed, and the smallest area and shortest time should be used. Call your doctor right away if you become pregnant while using it.
• It isn't known if this medicine passes into breast milk and affects a nursing baby. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding. Avoid applying it directly to the nipple or the area around it, and avoid contact with the infant's skin.

Storage

• Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children
• Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom)
• Do not freeze it
• Protect from light
• Throw away unused or expired drug properly; do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless told to do so; ask your pharmacist about take-back programs
• Shampoo: throw away any unused part after 2 months

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you notice signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of the lips, tongue, face, or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing, or severe itching.
• Call your doctor right away if you notice signs of Cushing's syndrome, like a rounder face, weight gain around the middle, a hump between the shoulders, or stretch marks.
• Call your doctor right away if you notice signs of adrenal insufficiency, such as tiredness, muscle weakness, weight loss, dizziness, or fainting.
• Call your doctor right away if you notice signs of a skin infection at the treated area, such as redness, swelling, warmth, or pain.
• Get medical help right away for signs of a severe allergic reaction, including rash, hives, itching, red or peeling skin, wheezing, tightness in the chest or throat, trouble breathing or swallowing, or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor if your skin condition does not improve within the first two weeks of treatment.
• If someone swallows this medicine, contact your local poison control center right away. If the person has collapsed or is not breathing, call emergency services immediately.

Alternatives

• Hydrocortisone cream
• Mometasone furoate cream
• Fluticasone propionate cream