Fluocinonide is a high to super-high potency topical corticosteroid that may be used to reduce inflammation and itching caused by skin conditions that respond to topical corticosteroids, such as plaque psoriasis.

It is approved for adults and children over the age of 12 years and should not be used for more than two consecutive weeks. The potency varies depending on the product and its concentration.

Fluocinonide topical is available in a cream, gel, ointment, and solution.

• Fluocinonide 0.1% cream: Vanos cream (super high potency)
• Fluocinonide 0.05% cream/gel/ointment/solution: generic only (high potency)

Fluocinonide was first approved on June 30, 1971.

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Fluocinonide is a highly potent, Class I or Class II corticosteroid that can be absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream and cause reversible hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression with the potential for glucocorticosteroid insufficiency, including Cushing’s syndrome, hyperglycemia, and glucosuria. Do not use for longer than 2 weeks and do not exceed the recommended dose. Periodic monitoring for HPA suppression may be required.

Fluocinonide may affect growth in children and teens in some cases. They may need regular growth checks. Talk with your doctor.

Use care when using fluocinonide topical on a large part of the skin or where there are open wounds.

Do not use fluocinonide on cuts, scrapes, damaged skin, or on open wounds.

Use fluocinonide exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Do not take it by mouth. Topical medicine is for use only on the skin. Do not use on open wounds or sunburned, windburned, dry, or irritated skin. Rinse with water if this medicine gets in your eyes or mouth.

Wash your hands before and after using fluocinonide, unless you are using this medicine to treat the skin on your hands.

Apply a thin layer of the medicine to the affected skin and rub it in gently. Do not apply fluocinonide over a large area of skin unless your doctor has told you to.

• The 0.05% cream, gel, or ointment is usually applied two to four times a day
• The 0.1% cream is usually applied once or twice daily for atopic dermatitis or eczema, and once daily for psoriasis.

Do not cover the treated skin area with a bandage or other covering unless your doctor tells you to. Covering treated areas can increase the amount of medicine absorbed through your skin and may cause harmful effects.

Stop using fluocinonide and call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 2 weeks of treatment, or if they get worse.

You should not use fluocinonide topical if you are allergic to it. Do not apply to lesions that are exuding serum or to skin folds (where two areas of skin touch each other).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• any type of skin infection;
• a skin reaction to any steroid medicine;
• liver disease; or
• an adrenal gland disorder.

Topical corticosteroids can increase the glucose (sugar) levels in your blood or urine. Tell your doctor if you have diabetes.

Children are more susceptible to systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids. Fluocinonide topical is not approved for use by anyone younger than 12 years old.

It is not known whether fluocinonide topical will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. If you are instructed to use fluocinonide topical use only a small amount for the shortest time possible.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. If you are instructed to use fluocinonide topical, use only a small amount for the shortest time possible. Do not apply to the breasts.

Apply the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not apply two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medication.

High doses or long-term use of fluocinonide topical can lead to thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.

• Do not get fluocinonide topical in your eyes. If contact does occur, rinse with water.
• Avoid applying fluocinonide to your face, scalp, underarms, or groin area.
• Do not use fluocinonide topical to treat any skin condition that has not been checked by your doctor.
• Avoid using other topical steroid medications on the areas you treat with fluocinonide topical unless your doctor tells you to.
• Do not use more than 60 grams per week (1/2 of a 120g tube).

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to fluocinonide topical such as hives; difficulty breathing; or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• worsening of your skin condition;
• redness, warmth, swelling, oozing, or severe irritation of any treated skin;
• blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;
• high blood sugar - increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor; or
• possible signs of absorbing this medicine through your skin - weight gain (especially in your face or your upper back and torso), slow wound healing, thinning or discolored skin, increased body hair, muscle weakness, nausea, diarrhea, tiredness, mood changes, menstrual changes, sexual changes.

Common fluocinonide topical side effects may include:

• Headache
• Burning of treated skin
• Nasopharyngitis
• Nasal congestion
• Other application site reactions.

Other side effects that may occur with topical corticosteroids include:

• acne
• discoloration of the skin where the tape has been applied
• dryness
• excessive hair growth
• miliaria
• ophthalmic side effects such as cataracts or glaucoma
• perioral dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis
• redness or crusting around your hair follicles (folliculitis)
• skin thinning
• spider veins
• stretch marks
• upper respiratory tract infection
• high blood sugar levels.

Topical corticosteroids can cause reversible hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression with the potential for glucocorticosteroid insufficiency.

If you develop a skin infection while using fluocinonide topical your doctor may give you an antimicrobial cream to use as well. If this does not resolve the infection, your doctor may discontinue the tape until the infection has cleared.

If irritation develops, stop using fluocinonide topical.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Fluocinonide topical is unlikely to interact with other medications you may take. But you should not use it with other topical or oral corticosteroids, because they may have an additive effect.

Tell your healthcare providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.