What is the most important information I should know about fluocinonide topical?
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.
What is fluocinonide topical?
Fluocinonide is a steroid. It prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.
Fluocinonide topical (for the skin) is used to treat the inflammation and itching caused by a number of skin conditions such as allergic reactions, eczema, and psoriasis.
Fluocinonide topical may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using fluocinonide topical?
You should not use fluocinonide topical if you are allergic to it.
To make sure fluocinonide topical is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- any type of skin infection.
Also tell your doctor if you have diabetes. Steroid medicines may increase the glucose (sugar) levels in your blood or urine. You may also need to adjust the dose of your diabetes medications.
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
It is not known whether fluocinonide topical passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
Do not use this medicine on a child without a doctor's advice. Children can absorb larger amounts of this medication through the skin and may be more likely to have side effects.
How should I use fluocinonide topical?
This medicine is usually applied 1 or 2 times daily. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Do not take by mouth. Fluocinonide topical is for use only on the skin.
Wash your hands before and after using fluocinonide topical, unless you are using the medicine to treat the skin on your hands.
Apply a small amount to the affected area and rub it gently into the skin. Do not apply fluocinonide topical over a large area of skin.
If you are treating your scalp, part the hair and apply the medicine directly to the scalp, rubbing in gently. Avoid washing or rubbing the treated scalp area right away. Wait until the medicine has dried thoroughly.
Do not cover the treated skin area unless your doctor tells you to. Covering the skin that is treated with fluocinonide topical can increase the amount of medicine your skin absorbs, which may lead to unwanted side effects. Follow your doctor's instructions.
When treating the diaper area of a baby, do not use plastic pants or tight-fitting diapers.
Use fluocinonide topical regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using fluocinonide topical. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Call your doctor if your skin condition does not improve after 2 weeks of treatment, or if it gets worse while using fluocinonide topical.
If you use this medicine long-term, you may need frequent medical tests at your doctor's office.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medication.
An overdose of fluocinonide topical is not expected to produce life threatening symptoms. However, long term use of high steroid doses can lead to symptoms such as thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.
What should I avoid while using fluocinonide topical?
Avoid getting this medicine in your eyes. If contact does occur, rinse with water. Do not use fluocinonide topical on broken or infected skin. Also avoid using this medicine in open wounds.
Avoid applying fluocinonide topical to the skin of your face, underarms, or groin area without your doctor's instruction. This medicine should not be used to treat rosacea.
Do not use fluocinonide topical to treat any condition that has not been checked by your doctor.
What are the possible side effects of fluocinonide topical?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Topical steroid medicine can be absorbed through the skin, which may cause steroid side effects throughout the body. Stop using fluocinonide topical and call your doctor if you have:
- blurred vision, or seeing halos around lights;
- uneven heartbeats;
- sleep problems (insomnia);
- weight gain, puffiness in your face; or
- tired feeling.
Also stop using fluocinonide topical and call your doctor at once if you have:
- severe skin irritation where the medicine was applied; or
- signs of skin infection (swelling, redness, warmtth, oozing).
Common side effects may include:
- burning or itching of treated skin;
- skin dryness or irritation;
- acne, increased hair growth;
- lightened color of treated skin;
- folliculitis (redness or crusting around your hair follicles);
- headache; or
- stuffy nose, sore throat.
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.
What other drugs will affect fluocinonide topical?
It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on topically applied fluocinonide. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about fluocinonide topical.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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