Applies to fluocinolone topical: topical application cream, topical application oil, topical application ointment, topical application shampoo, topical application solution.
Serious side effects
Along with its needed effects, fluocinolone topical may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking fluocinolone topical:
More common
- Body aches or pain
- congestion
- cough
- dryness or soreness of the throat
- fever
- headache
- hoarseness
- lightening of normal skin color
- lightening of treated areas of dark skin
- sore throat
- stuffy or runny nose
- tender, swollen glands in the neck
- trouble swallowing
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- voice changes
Less common
- Acne or pimples
- accumulation of pus
- blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin
- burning, itching, and pain in hairy areas, or pus at the root of the hair
- burning and itching of the skin with pinhead-sized red blisters
- change in hearing
- cracked, dry, scaly skin
- diarrhea
- dry skin
- earache or pain in the ear
- ear drainage
- flushing or redness of the skin
- darkening of the skin
- itching, scaling, severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin
- itchy, raised, round, smooth, skin-colored bumps found on just one area of the body
- ooze thick white fluid
- raised, dark red, wart-like spots on skin, especially when used on the face
- redness or swelling in the ear
- skin irritation
- skin rash, encrusted, scaly and oozing
- spots on your skin resembling a blister or pimple
- swelling
- swollen, red, tender area of infection
- thickened patches of the skin
- vomiting
Incidence not known
- Redness and scaling around the mouth
- thinning, weakness, or wasting away of the skin
Other side effects
Some side effects of fluocinolone topical may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
- Changes in skin color
- shiny skin
Incidence not known
- increased hair growth on the forehead, back, arms, and legs
- reddish purple lines on the arms, face, legs, trunk, or groin
- softening of the skin
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to fluocinolone topical: compounding powder, topical cream, topical kit, topical lotion, topical oil, topical ointment, topical shampoo, topical solution.
General
The most commonly reported side effects were erythema, itching, irritation, and burning.[Ref]
Endocrine
Frequency not reported: Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression, Cushing's syndrome[Ref]
Immunologic
Common (1% to 10%): Facial herpes simplex, abscess, molluscum[Ref]
Local
Common (1% to 10%): Telangiectasia, erythema, itching, irritation, burning, hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation, shiny skin, folliculitis, acneiform eruptions[Ref]
Nervous system
Frequency not reported: Intracranial hypertension (including bulging fontanelles, headaches, bilateral papilledema)
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Secondary atopic dermatitis, papules and pustules, keratosis pilaris, eczema, rash
Frequency not reported: Hypertrichosis, maceration of the skin, dermatitis, perioral dermatitis, acne or worsening of acne, acne rosacea[Ref]
Metabolic
Frequency not reported: Hyperglycemia, glucosuria[Ref]
