Capex
Capex (fluocinolone) is a mild-to-moderate strength steroid shampoo that treats seborrheic dermatitis (eczema) of the scalp, but it is brand name only and can be expensive if not covered by insurance.
What is Capex (fluocinolone)?
What is Capex (fluocinolone) used for?
- Seborrheic dermatitis (eczema) of the scalp
How Capex (fluocinolone) works
Capex (fluocinolone) is a topical corticosteroid. It helps treat flare-ups of scalp conditions by calming down the immune system and lessening inflammation, itching, and flaking.
Drug facts
Side effects of Capex (fluocinolone)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
See Risks and Warnings
Less Common Side Effects
- Dryness
- Inflammation of hair follicles
- Acne or pustules
- Skin inflammation around the mouth
- Eczema (allergic irritation)
- Infection
- Skin thinning
- Stretch marks
- Heat rash
- Burning
- Itching
- Irritation
- Lighter skin color
Capex (fluocinolone) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Allergic reactions
- Abnormal stress hormone levels
- Weakened immune system (from long-term use)
The following Capex (fluocinolone) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine 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:
More common
Body aches or pain
congestion
dryness or soreness of the throat
headache
hoarseness
lightening of normal skin color
lightening of treated areas of dark skin
stuffy or runny nose
tender, swollen glands in the neck
trouble swallowing
unusual tiredness or weakness
voice changes
Less common
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
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
Some side effects 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
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Capex (fluocinolone)
Pros
- Effectively treats scalp irritation from eczema
- Formulated specifically for the scalp; less oily and messy compared to alternatives
- Few serious side effects
Cons
- Can cause some local irritation on the scalp
- Each bottle is small and doesn't contain many doses
- Available as brand only, so can be expensive if not covered by insurance
Pharmacist tips for Capex (fluocinolone)
- Shake well prior to use, and use no more than 1 ounce at a time (the bottle comes with 4 ounces of shampoo). Work it into a lather and keep it on for about 5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with water.
- If Capex (fluocinolone) gets in your eyes, rinse your eyes well with water to avoid causing irritation in the eye.
- Store the bottle at room temperature. Be careful about it getting too warm if you tend to take hot showers.
- You should see significant improvement within 2 weeks. Let your provider know if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
- Discard any remaining shampoo after 2 months since it will not work as well after that time.
- Some burning or itching after using Capex (fluocinolone) is possible, but if a rash appears afterwards, please contact your healthcare provider.
Common questions about Capex
In clinical studies, about 84% of people who used this shampoo for 14 days had significant improvement in their symptoms. Make sure to use it daily for the best results.
Other corticosteroids made specifically for scalp inflammation conditions include Derma-Smoothe/FS (fluocinolone scalp oil) and Clobex (clobetasol shampoo). There are also many other non-steroid medications that can be used to treat scalp eczema (seborrheic dermatitis). Some of these are available over-the-counter, but many require a prescription. Talk to your provider if Capex isn't working well for you or if it's too expensive.
Capex shampoo is made specifically for treatment of seborrheic dermatitis (eczema) of the scalp, and may not work as well for other parts of the body. If you have a skin inflammation condition in another part of the body, it's best to talk to your provider for a medication that is more appropriate; you may need to use a cream, ointment, or solution instead.
Capex is not considered a strong (potent) corticosteroid. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, this shampoo is a mild-to-moderate strength steroid.
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Risks and warnings for Capex (fluocinolone)
Capex (fluocinolone) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
CHANGE IN HORMONES
- Risk factors: Applying Capex (fluocinolone) to large areas of the body | Using Capex (fluocinolone) for a long time | Covering the medicated area
Applying Capex (fluocinolone) to large areas, using it for long periods of time, or covering the medicated area can cause more absorption of the medication into the body. Too much of this medication can cause your body to make less of certain stress hormones that are important for many bodily functions. This problem usually goes away after you stop using Capex (fluocinolone), but you may need additional medical treatment if it is severe. Use Capex (fluocinolone) only as directed. Do not apply more of the medication or use it for longer than what your provider has prescribed. Do not cover the medicated area with bandages or dressings.
SKIN IRRITATION
Skin irritation, including burning, itching, dryness, inflammation of hair follicles, pustules, and changes in skin color, have occurred from using Capex (fluocinolone). Let your provider know if you notice any of these side effects on your scalp.
SKIN INFECTIONS
Capex (fluocinolone) can lower your body's ability to fight infections, including infections on your skin. It is especially important to treat skin infections with an appropriate antifungal or antibacterial if you are using Capex (fluocinolone). The longer you are using this medication, the higher your risk of this problem. If you notice redness, pain, swelling, or pus on your scalp, stop using it and talk to your healthcare provider right away.
Capex (fluocinolone) dosage
Bottle of shampoo| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120ml of 0.01% | 1 bottle | $274.98 | $274.98 |
Typical dosage for Capex (fluocinolone)
Adults should use no more than 1 fl oz applied to the scalp once daily. This medication is not approved for use on children.
Interactions between Capex (fluocinolone) and other drugs
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.
How much does Capex (fluocinolone) cost?
$274.98
What are alternatives to Capex (fluocinolone)?
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