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fluticasone propionate
Used for Eczema, Itching, Psoriasis, Skin Allergy
Used for Eczema, Itching, Psoriasis, Skin Allergy
Fluticasone propionate topical is a steroid medication that's used to treat different skin conditions. It's available in many different formulations, including a cream, ointment, and lotion. The typical directions are to apply a small amount of medication onto the skin one to two times a day, as directed by your provider. While side effects aren't common, it's possible to experience skin burning and itching where you used the medication. Fluticasone propionate topical is only available by prescription; it can't be purchased over the counter.
What is Fluticasone propionate topical?
What is Fluticasone propionate topical used for?
- Treatment of skin rashes and itchy skin - cream and ointment only
- Treatment of eczema
How Fluticasone propionate topical works
Fluticasone propionate topical is a corticosteroid. When it’s used on the skin, it has three actions:
- It lowers the amount of inflammatory chemicals that cause redness, itching, and swelling. This helps to lower skin inflammation.
- It can also slow down how fast new skin cells are made. This can help lower the amount of patches or scales from some skin problems (e.g., psoriasis).
- It lessens the immune response of your body, which can help with certain skin problems that are caused by a sensitive immune system (e.g., eczema).
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Cutivate |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Corticosteroid |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Fluticasone propionate topical
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
- In general, side effects aren't common. Please see Other Side Effects.
Less Common Side Effects
- Itchy skin
- Skin redness
- Skin irritation
- Hives
- Rash
- Dry skin
- Burning sensation
- Numbness of fingers
- Lightheadedness
- Excessive hair growth
Fluticasone propionate topical serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Skin reactions or infection: redness, itching, rash, hives, swelling, tenderness
- Withdrawal symptoms: long-term fatigue, muscle weakness, poor appetite, weight loss, belly pain
The following Fluticasone propionate topical 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
Less common
Breakdown of the skin
burning or stinging skin
hives or welts
irritation and redness of the skin
numbness of the fingers
raised, dark red, or wart-like spots on the skin, especially when used on the face
skin rash
Rare
red rash with watery, yellow-colored, or pus filled blisters
skin rash, encrusted, scaly, and oozing
swelling
tenderness
thick yellow to honey-colored crusts
warmth on the skin
Incidence not known
Abdominal or stomach pain
backache
black, tarry stools
bleeding gums
blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin
blood in the urine or stools
blurred vision
cough or hoarseness
facial hair growth in females
fever or chills
flushed, dry skin
fractures
fruit-like breath odor
full or round face, neck, or trunk
increased hunger
increased thirst or urination
irritability
itching, scaling, severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin
loss of sexual desire or ability
lower back or side pain
menstrual irregularities
muscle wasting
painful or difficult urination
pinpoint red spots on the skin
redness and scaling around the mouth
shortness of breath
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
sugar in the urine
sweating
swelling of the throat
swollen glands
thinning of the skin with easy bruising, especially when used on the face or where the skin folds together (e.g. between the fingers)
tightness in the chest
troubled breathing
unexplained weight loss
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
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:
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.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$28.93
GoodRx discount
$12.95
Pros and cons of Fluticasone propionate topical
Pros
- Typically few to no noticeable day-to-day side effects
- Available as a lower-cost generic medication
- Available in different strengths
- Many formulations to choose from, such as ointment, cream, and lotion
- Cream and lotion are safe to use for children 3 months and older
Cons
- Meant for short-term use (to prevent side effects like skin thinning and high blood sugar)
- Not the most potent (strongest) topical steroid, so it might not work well for more severe skin conditions
- Might cause topical steroid withdrawal if you stop using after consistent, long-term use
- Unknown if safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women
- Unknown if topical ointment is safe to use on children
Pharmacist tips for Fluticasone propionate topical
- Different formulations of fluticasone propionate topical have different directions, strengths, and age cut-offs. To make sure you're using this medication correctly, follow the specific product instructions on the package or talk with your provider or pharmacist about how to use it.
- Wash your hands before and after using fluticasone propionate topical to help prevent getting the medication in your eyes or other area of the body.
- Fluticasone propionate topical skin products should only be used on the outside of your body on skin that's not broken. You shouldn’t use it on wounds or on damaged skin. Don't use any formulation of fluticasone propionate topical in your eyes, nose, or ears to avoid side effects. Also don't insert this medication into your vagina.
- Avoid using fluticasone propionate topical near your face, underarms, or groin area unless your provider told you to.
- Don't cover the treated area with a bandage after applying fluticasone propionate topical unless directed by your provider. Also don't use this medication around the diaper area since the diaper will cover this area quite tightly. This can cause more medication to get absorbed into the body through the skin and raise the risk of serious side effects.
- If your skin doesn't improve after 2 weeks of using fluticasone propionate topical skin products, talk to your provider to see whether it's still appropriate to continue treatment. Fluticasone propionate topical isn't meant to be used long term, so ask your provider how long your treatment should last.
- Don't use fluticasone propionate topical lotion regularly for more than a month, even if the medication is working for you. Similarly, don't apply fluticasone propionate topical cream regularly to your child's skin for more than a month. It's not clear whether these formulations are safe or will work after this period of time.
Risks and warnings for Fluticasone propionate topical
Fluticasone propionate topical 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.
Hormone problems and withdrawal
- Risk factors: Using high-strength topical steroids | Using fluticasone propionate topical for a long period of time | Using excessive amounts of fluticasone propionate topical on your skin | Using fluticasone propionate topical over a large area | Covering applied area with a bandage | Young children
In some rare cases, using fluticasone propionate topical for a long time or over a large area of skin can cause your body to absorb too much medication. This can sometimes lead to a medical condition called adrenal suppression. This happens when your body gets used to the medication so your adrenal gland stops making enough of your natural steroid hormones for your body. This creates a dependence on the steroid medication. If you stop the medication suddenly, it's possible to experience withdrawal symptoms, such as fever, joint or muscle pain, and low energy.
To prevent adrenal suppression from happening, your provider will prescribe the lowest possible dose of fluticasone propionate topical that works well for you for the shortest amount of time. If you need to use fluticasone propionate topical for a long period of time or for a large area, your provider might ask you to do some lab work to test whether the medication has affected your adrenal gland. Don't stop using fluticasone propionate topical suddenly after using it daily for a long time without talking to your provider first.
Risk of high blood sugar when using a large amount or long term
- Risk factors: Using fluticasone propionate topical for a long period of time | Using excessive amounts of fluticasone propionate topical on your skin
Corticosteroids can sometimes raise your blood sugar levels. This is more likely to happen when you're taking corticosteroids by mouth. But it's also possible with fluticasone propionate topical if you're using it on the skin for a long period of time or over large areas of the body. In these situations, your body can absorb more medication through the skin and into the blood. In addition, it's possible that this can raise your risk of developing diabetes, especially if your blood sugar isn't controlled. If you have diabetes, your provider might ask you to check your blood sugar regularly to make sure this medication is safe for you. Let your provider know if you have symptoms of high blood sugar like extreme thirst or hunger, frequent urination, tiredness, dry mouth, or blurry vision.
New or worsened skin infection
It's possible to have a skin infection while you're using fluticasone propionate topical. These skin infections can include fungal or bacterial infections and should be treated with appropriate medications. If you have a skin infection on the same area that you applied fluticasone propionate topical, don't use the steroid medication until the infection goes away. Let your provider know if you have redness, swelling, pain, pus, or if your current symptoms don't improve after 2 weeks of treatment. These can be signs and symptoms of a new infection.
Skin problems
- Risk factors: Excessive and inappropriate use of fluticasone propionate topical | Using a lot of fluticasone propionate topical | Covering the area of skin after using fluticasone propionate topical
Using fluticasone propionate topical more often or longer than directed by your provider or covering the treated area tightly with a bandage can raise your risk of different skin reactions. These reactions can include skin thinning, stretch marks, irritation, inflamed hair follicles, changes in skin color, or rash. To prevent severe skin reactions from happening, your provider will prescribe the lowest possible dose of fluticasone propionate topical to treat your symptoms for the shortest amount of time. Use fluticasone propionate topical as instructed by your provider. Let your provider know right away if you notice any new or worsening skin problems.
Allergic reaction
Tell your provider before using fluticasone propionate topical if you've had an allergic reaction to any steroid medications in the past. Watch out for signs and symptoms of allergic reactions, such as dry skin, itching, rash, swelling, and blisters. Stop using fluticasone propionate topical and tell your provider if you have these signs and symptoms.
You might also be allergic to fluticasone propionate topical if your skin condition doesn't get better after using the medication for a while. Contact your provider if your symptoms doesn't improve after a couple days of using the medication.
Fluticasone propionate topical dosage
The average cost for 4 tubes of 15g of 0.05% of Fluticasone propionate topical is $25.01 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 73.93% off the average retail price of $95.93.
Typical dosage for Fluticasone propionate topical
Fluticasone propionate topical lotion
- Adults and children ages 3 months and older: Apply a small amount to the affected area(s) once daily.
Fluticasone propionate topical cream
- Eczema (adults and children ages 3 months and older): Apply a small amount to the affected area(s) once or twice daily.
- Other skin condition (adults and children ages 3 months and older): Apply a small amount to the affected area(s) twice daily.
Fluticasone propionate topical ointment
- Adults: Apply a small amount to the affected area(s) twice daily.
Interactions between Fluticasone propionate topical and other drugs
Fluticasone propionate topical may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Fluticasone propionate topical. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
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 Fluticasone propionate topical cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
What are alternatives to Fluticasone propionate topical?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Fluticasone propionate topical. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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Fluticasone propionate topical images
