Fluticasone 0.005% Ointment 30gm
Overview
What is this medicine?
How to Use This Medicine
To use this medication correctly, follow your doctor's instructions and read all the information provided. It's essential to use this medication as directed, even if your symptoms improve.
Application Instructions
Apply this medication only to your skin, avoiding the mouth, nose, and eyes, as it may cause burning.
Wash your hands before and after application, unless your hand is the treated area, in which case you should not wash it after use.
Clean the affected area before applying the medication and dry it thoroughly.
Gently rub a thin layer of the medication onto the affected skin.
Avoid applying the medication to your face, underarms, or groin area unless your doctor instructs you to do so.
Do not use bandages or dressings to cover the treated area unless your doctor advises you to do so.
Do not use this medication to treat diaper rash.
Storage and Disposal
Store this medication at room temperature, away from freezing temperatures.
Keep the lid tightly closed when not in use.
Store all medications in a safe location, out of the reach of children and pets.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, apply it as soon as you remember.
If it's close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular application schedule.
* Do not apply two doses at the same time or use extra doses to make up for a missed dose.
Lifestyle & Tips
- Wash your hands before and after applying the ointment.
- Apply a thin layer of the ointment only to the affected skin areas, as directed by your doctor.
- Do not use more than the prescribed amount or apply more often than directed.
- Avoid applying the ointment to your face, groin, or armpits unless specifically instructed by your doctor.
- Do not cover the treated area with bandages or tight dressings unless your doctor tells you to, as this can increase absorption.
- Avoid contact with eyes. If contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with water.
- Do not use for longer than prescribed, especially in children, to avoid potential side effects.
Available Forms & Alternatives
Available Strengths:
- Fluticasone 50mcg Nasal Sp (120) Rx
- Fluticasone 0.05% Cream 15gm
- Fluticasone 0.05% Cream 30gm
- Fluticasone 0.005% Ointment 30gm
- Fluticasone 0.05% Cream 60gm
- Fluticasone 0.005% Ointment 60gm
- Fluticasone 0.005% Ointment 15gm
- Fluticasone 0.05% Lotion 60ml
- Fluticasone 0.05% Lotion 60ml
- Fluticasone Allergy Nasal 50mcg Sp
- Fluticasone HFA 220mcg Oral Inh
- Fluticasone HFA 110mcg Oral Inh
- Fluticasone HFA 44mcg Inh 120inh
- Fluticasone 250mcg Diskus (60 Inh)
- Fluticasone 50mcg Diskus (60 Inh)
- Fluticasone 100mcg Diskus (60 Inh)
Dosing & Administration
Adult Dosing
Condition-Specific Dosing:
Pediatric Dosing
Dose Adjustments
Renal Impairment:
Hepatic Impairment:
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption:
Distribution:
Elimination:
Pharmacodynamics
Safety & Warnings
Side Effects
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, such as:
+ Rash
+ Hives
+ Itching
+ Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever
+ Wheezing
+ Tightness in the chest or throat
+ Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
+ Unusual hoarseness
+ Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Signs of high blood sugar, including:
+ Confusion
+ Feeling sleepy
+ Unusual thirst or hunger
+ Passing urine more often
+ Flushing
+ Fast breathing
+ Breath that smells like fruit
Signs of a weak adrenal gland, such as:
+ Severe upset stomach or vomiting
+ Severe dizziness or passing out
+ Muscle weakness
+ Feeling very tired
+ Mood changes
+ Decreased appetite
+ Weight loss
Signs of Cushing's syndrome, including:
+ Weight gain in the upper back or belly
+ Moon face
+ Severe headache
+ Slow healing
Signs of skin infection, such as:
+ Oozing
+ Heat
+ Swelling
+ Redness
+ Pain
Skin changes, including:
+ Pimples
+ Stretch marks
+ Slow healing
+ Hair growth
Skin irritation
Thinning of the skin
Change in eyesight
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 notice any of the following side effects or any other unusual symptoms, contact your doctor or seek medical help:
Burning or stinging
This is not an exhaustive list of possible side effects. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, contact your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:
- Worsening of your skin condition or no improvement after a few weeks.
- Signs of a new skin infection (e.g., increased redness, swelling, pus, warmth, pain).
- Severe burning, itching, or irritation where the ointment is applied.
- Changes in your skin, such as thinning, easy bruising, or stretch marks.
- Unusual tiredness, weakness, or dizziness (rare, but can indicate systemic absorption).
Before Using This Medicine
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.
If the patient is a child, as this medication is not intended for pediatric use.
Potential interactions with other medications or health conditions. To ensure safe use, disclose all prescription and over-the-counter medications, natural products, and vitamins you are taking to your doctor and pharmacist.
All your health problems, as they may affect the safety of taking this medication.
Remember to consult with your doctor before starting, stopping, or changing the dose of any medication, including this one, to guarantee safe and effective treatment.
Precautions & Cautions
To minimize potential risks, avoid applying this medication to cuts, scrapes, or damaged skin. When applying it to a large area of skin or near open wounds, exercise caution and discuss the application with your doctor.
Adhere to your doctor's prescribed treatment duration, as using this medication for an extended period beyond the recommended timeframe may exacerbate your skin condition. Additionally, using this medication too frequently can worsen your skin problem.
This medication may increase the risk of developing cataracts or glaucoma; therefore, it is crucial to discuss this potential risk with your doctor. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, inform your doctor to weigh the benefits and risks of using this medication for both you and your baby.
When breastfeeding, take precautions to avoid applying this medication directly to the nipple or the surrounding area to prevent any potential harm to your baby.
Overdose Information
Overdose Symptoms:
- Prolonged or excessive use, especially over large areas, under occlusion, or in children, can lead to systemic side effects.
- Symptoms of systemic absorption may include: Cushing's syndrome (e.g., moon face, buffalo hump, central obesity), hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), glucosuria (sugar in urine), and suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis (e.g., fatigue, weakness, nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure).
What to Do:
If you suspect an overdose or experience systemic symptoms, stop using the ointment and contact your doctor immediately or call a poison control center (1-800-222-1222). Treatment is supportive and may involve gradual withdrawal of the corticosteroid.
Drug Interactions
Moderate Interactions
- Ritonavir (and other strong CYP3A4 inhibitors)
Monitoring
Baseline Monitoring
Rationale: To assess severity of dermatosis and guide treatment duration.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy
Routine Monitoring
Frequency: Regularly during treatment (e.g., weekly to bi-weekly)
Target: Improvement in symptoms
Action Threshold: Lack of improvement or worsening symptoms may require re-evaluation of diagnosis or treatment.
Frequency: Regularly during treatment
Target: Absence or minimal reactions
Action Threshold: Presence of significant or worsening local reactions may require discontinuation or change in therapy.
Frequency: Periodically, if risk factors are present
Target: Normal HPA axis function
Action Threshold: Symptoms or signs of HPA axis suppression warrant immediate evaluation (e.g., ACTH stimulation test) and potential discontinuation/tapering.
Symptom Monitoring
- Worsening of skin condition
- Signs of skin infection (redness, pus, warmth, pain)
- Severe burning, itching, or irritation at application site
- Skin thinning, easy bruising, stretch marks (striae)
- Unusual fatigue or weakness
- Weight loss
- Swelling in ankles or feet (rare, systemic effect)
Special Patient Groups
Pregnancy
Use during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Minimal systemic absorption is expected with topical use, but large amounts or prolonged use should be avoided.
Trimester-Specific Risks:
Lactation
Considered low risk. Minimal systemic absorption of fluticasone propionate is expected, making infant exposure via breast milk unlikely to be clinically significant. Apply to skin areas away from the breast to avoid direct infant ingestion.
Pediatric Use
Pediatric patients may absorb proportionally larger amounts of topical corticosteroids and thus be more susceptible to systemic adverse effects, including HPA axis suppression and Cushing's syndrome. Use the least potent effective corticosteroid for the shortest duration possible. Avoid use in infants and young children unless specifically directed by a physician. Monitor for growth retardation if prolonged use.
Geriatric Use
No specific dose adjustments are required. However, elderly patients may have thinner skin, which could increase the risk of local adverse effects like skin atrophy or purpura. Monitor for skin integrity.
Clinical Information
Clinical Pearls
- Fluticasone propionate 0.005% ointment is a medium-potency topical corticosteroid.
- Ointments are generally more potent than creams for the same concentration and are preferred for dry, scaly lesions.
- Educate patients on the 'thin film' application technique to avoid overuse and minimize systemic absorption.
- Warn patients about the potential for skin atrophy, striae, and telangiectasias with prolonged use, especially in intertriginous areas or on the face.
- Consider HPA axis suppression testing (e.g., ACTH stimulation test) if extensive body surface area is treated, especially in children or with occlusive dressings.
- Avoid abrupt discontinuation after prolonged, extensive use to prevent rebound flares of the dermatosis.
Alternative Therapies
- Other topical corticosteroids (e.g., triamcinolone, mometasone, clobetasol, hydrocortisone)
- Topical calcineurin inhibitors (e.g., tacrolimus, pimecrolimus) for steroid-sparing therapy
- Emollients and moisturizers for barrier repair
- Systemic therapies (e.g., oral corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, biologics) for severe, widespread disease