Fluocinonide 0.1% Cream 60gm

Fluocinonide, a high-potency topical corticosteroid, exerts anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, and vasoconstrictive actions. It induces phospholipase A2 inhibitory proteins (lipocortins), which control the biosynthesis of potent mediators of inflammation such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes by inhibiting the release of their common precursor, arachidonic acid.

Urgent Side Effects: Seek Medical Help Right Away

While rare, some people may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects when taking this medication. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek immediate medical attention:

Signs of an allergic reaction: rash, hives, itching, red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever), wheezing, tightness in the chest or throat, difficulty breathing, swallowing, or talking, unusual hoarseness, or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Signs of high blood sugar: confusion, drowsiness, unusual thirst or hunger, frequent urination, flushing, rapid breathing, or fruity-smelling breath.
Signs of a weak adrenal gland: severe nausea or vomiting, severe dizziness or fainting, muscle weakness, extreme fatigue, mood changes, decreased appetite, or weight loss.
Signs of Cushing's syndrome: weight gain in the upper back or abdomen, moon face, severe headache, or slow wound healing.
Skin changes: acne, stretch marks, slow healing, or excessive hair growth.
Skin irritation.
Thinning of the skin.

Other Possible Side Effects

Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. Many people experience no side effects or only mild ones. If you experience any of the following side effects or any other symptoms that bother you or do not go away, contact your doctor:

Burning or stinging sensations.
Dry skin.
Itching.

This is not an exhaustive list of possible side effects. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, consult your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Before Taking This Medication: Important Information to Share with Your Doctor

It is essential to inform your doctor about the following:

Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances, such as foods or drugs. Be sure to describe the symptoms you experienced as a result of the allergy.
All medications you are currently taking, including prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, natural products, and vitamins. This information will help your doctor and pharmacist assess potential interactions between this medication and other substances you are taking.
* Any existing health problems, as this medication may interact with certain conditions.

To ensure your safety, it is crucial to verify that it is safe to take this medication with all your current medications and health conditions. Never start, stop, or adjust the dosage of any medication without first consulting your doctor.

It is essential to inform all your healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists, that you are taking this medication. Before using any other medications or skin products, such as soaps, consult with your doctor to ensure safe use.

When applying this medication, avoid putting it on cuts, scrapes, or damaged skin. Exercise caution when applying it to a large area of skin or near open wounds, and discuss this with your doctor.

Do not use this medication for a longer period than prescribed by your doctor. Additionally, if you are treating an area that will be covered by a diaper, avoid using tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants, as this can increase the amount of medication absorbed into the body.

This medication is not intended to treat acne, rosacea, or rashes around the mouth. If you are a parent or caregiver of a child using this medication, use it with caution, as children may be at a higher risk of experiencing certain side effects. In some cases, this medication may affect growth in children and teenagers, and regular growth checks may be necessary. Consult with your doctor to discuss this potential risk.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, inform your doctor, as they will need to weigh the benefits and risks of using this medication to ensure the best outcome for you and your baby.

• Improvement in redness, itching, swelling, and lesion appearance.
• Signs of skin thinning, stretch marks, easy bruising, acne-like rash, changes in skin color.
• Signs of secondary infection (e.g., increased redness, warmth, pus, fever).
• Unusual fatigue, weight gain, increased thirst/urination (rare, signs of systemic absorption).

Fluocinonide is Pregnancy Category C. Use during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Avoid large areas, prolonged use, or occlusive dressings.

Use with caution. It is not known whether topical administration of corticosteroids could result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable quantities in breast milk. Avoid applying to breast area to prevent infant ingestion.

Children may absorb proportionally larger amounts of topical corticosteroids and thus be more susceptible to systemic toxicity (e.g., HPA axis suppression, Cushing's syndrome, intracranial hypertension). Use the least potent effective corticosteroid for the shortest duration possible. Avoid use on face, groin, or axillae. Not recommended for infants. Close monitoring for growth retardation and weight gain is advised.

No specific dosage adjustments are generally needed. Use with caution in patients with fragile skin or pre-existing skin atrophy, as they may be more susceptible to local adverse effects.

• Fluocinonide 0.1% Cream is a high-potency topical corticosteroid; use sparingly and for short durations (typically no more than 2-4 weeks) to minimize adverse effects, especially skin atrophy and HPA axis suppression.
• Educate patients on proper application technique: apply a very thin film, gently rub in, and avoid occlusive dressings unless specifically instructed by a physician.
• Not for routine use on the face, groin, or axillae due to higher risk of adverse effects (e.g., skin atrophy, telangiectasias, perioral dermatitis) in these sensitive areas.
• Monitor for signs of local adverse effects (skin atrophy, striae, telangiectasias, folliculitis, secondary infections) and, rarely, systemic absorption (e.g., Cushing's syndrome symptoms), especially with prolonged use, large surface areas, or in pediatric patients.
• Consider step-down therapy to lower potency corticosteroids or non-steroidal options once acute inflammation is controlled to prevent rebound flares and minimize long-term side effects.

• Other topical corticosteroids (e.g., clobetasol propionate, betamethasone dipropionate, triamcinolone acetonide, hydrocortisone)
• Topical calcineurin inhibitors (e.g., tacrolimus, pimecrolimus) for sensitive areas or long-term use
• Topical PDE4 inhibitors (e.g., crisaborole)
• Topical JAK inhibitors (e.g., ruxolitinib)
• Emollients and moisturizers for barrier repair
• Phototherapy (e.g., UVB) for widespread conditions
• Systemic immunosuppressants (e.g., methotrexate, cyclosporine, biologics) for severe, refractory cases

If your symptoms or health issues persist or worsen, it's essential to contact your doctor for further guidance. To ensure your safety, never share your medication with others or take someone else's medication. Some medications may come with an additional patient information leaflet, so be sure to check with your pharmacist for more information. If you have any questions or concerns about your medication, don't hesitate to reach out to your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. In the event of a suspected overdose, immediately call your local poison control center or seek medical attention. When seeking help, be prepared to provide details about the medication taken, the amount, and the time it occurred.