Fluocinolone (Topical application)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 1, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Capex
• Derma-Smoothe/FS
• Synalar

In Canada

• Fluoderm Mild Cream
• Fluoderm Mild Ointment
• Fluoderm Regular Cream
• Fluoderm Regular Ointment
• Fluolar Mild
• Fluolar Regular
• Fluonide Mild-Cream
• Synalar Mild
• Synalar Regular
• Synamol

Available Dosage Forms:

• Ointment
• Cream
• Oil
• Solution
• Shampoo

Therapeutic Class: Corticosteroid, Strong

Pharmacologic Class: Fluocinolone

Uses for fluocinolone

Fluocinolone topical is used to relieve redness, itching, swelling, or other discomfort caused by skin conditions. Fluocinolone scalp oil is used to treat psoriasis of the scalp, and fluocinolone shampoo for seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp. Fluocinolone is a corticosteroid (cortisone-like medicine or steroid).

Fluocinolone is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using fluocinolone

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For fluocinolone, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to fluocinolone or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of fluocinolone topical in the pediatric population. However, because of fluocinolone's toxicity, it should be used with caution. Children may absorb large amounts through the skin, which can cause serious side effects. If your child is using fluocinolone, follow your doctor's instructions very carefully. For the body oil form, safety and efficacy in children 3 months of age and younger have not been established.

Geriatric

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of fluocinolone topical in geriatric patients.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacc...