fluocinolone
Fluocinolone, also known by its brand name, Synalar, is a prescription topical steroid used to treat many inflammatory and itchy skin conditions, such as psoriasis or eczema. It comes as a lower-cost generic cream, ointment, and topical solution. The medication is typically applied to the skin two to four times per day, depending on the condition. Side effects aren't common, but can include skin burning and irritation.
What is Fluocinolone?
What is Fluocinolone used for?
- Inflammatory and itchy skin conditions
How Fluocinolone works
Fluocinolone is a topical steroid. It blocks certain substances in the body that cause inflammation, which can lead to symptoms like swelling, redness, and itching. This helps treat flare-ups in certain skin conditions.
Drug facts
Side effects of 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
- Burning
- Itching
- Irritation
Less Common Side Effects
- Dryness
- Inflamed hair follicles
- Excess hair growth
- Acne or pustules
- Lighter skin color
- Skin thinning
- Stretch marks
- Heat rash
- Infection
The following 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 Fluocinolone
Pros
- Can treat various inflammatory and itchy skin conditions
- Available in different forms (cream, ointment, topical solution)
- Available as a lower-cost generic
Cons
- Needs to be applied two to four times per day
- Not meant for long-term use
- Young children might be at higher risk for side effects
Pharmacist tips for Fluocinolone
- Apply fluocinolone as a thin layer to the affected area(s) of your skin 2 to 4 times per day, as prescribed.
- Avoid applying fluocinolone on cuts or scrapes in the skin. Keep the medication away from your eyes as well.
- Wash your hands well after you apply fluocinolone to your skin. This helps prevent the medication from getting in your eyes.
- Don't place bandages or dressings over the areas where you've applied fluocinolone unless your prescriber instructed you to. This can cause more medication to get absorbed into your body than intended. It can also raise your risk of side effects, like burning and irritation.
- If your prescriber recommended that you cover the area with bandages or dressings after applying fluocinolone, and you notice redness, itching, pain, or swelling, contact them. These could be signs of a skin infection.
- Don't apply other topical steroids to the skin while you're using fluocinolone unless your prescriber specifically said it's safe for you. Applying more than one topical steroid can raise your risk for side effects.
- Make sure to tell your prescriber if you're pregnant or breastfeeding before you start treatment with fluocinolone. Discuss the risks and benefits of using this medication with them.
- Store fluocinolone at room temperature and in a dry place.
Common questions about Fluocinolone
Yes, fluocinolone is a topical steroid. It's used to lower symptoms of skin inflammation, such as redness, itching, and swelling. Fluocinolone is a low-to-medium potency topical steroid; whether it's low or medium depends on the strength of the medication you have.
No, fluocinolone isn't an antifungal. Instead, it’s a topical steroid. Topical steroids help reduce inflammation on the skin, but they don't treat infections. On the other hand, antifungal medications treat fungal infections.
You shouldn't use fluocinolone inside your eyes, mouth, or nose. This can cause serious irritation and side effects in these areas. Only apply fluocinolone as prescribed.
No, fluocinolone doesn't work to treat pimples (acne). In fact, topical steroids can potentially cause or worsen acne, especially if you use them for a long time. Talk to your prescriber if you notice acne after using fluocinolone.
Yes, fluocinolone can expire. There should be an expiration date that's written on the product box or tube. Don't use the medication past the written expiration date because it might not work well to help treat your skin condition.
Possibly. You can use fluocinolone on the face if your prescriber specifically instructed you to do so for your condition. Just be sure to avoid contact with your eyes or mouth. Keep in mind that the medication can cause skin thinning and skin damage, even with short-term use. Use the smallest amount of the medication for the shortest amount of time. Check with your care team if you're not sure whether you need to use fluocinolone on your face and for how long.
Both fluocinolone and fluocinonide are prescription topical steroids used for several inflammatory skin conditions. A major difference is the potency (strength) of each steroid. Fluocinolone is a low-to-medium potency whereas fluocinonide is a high potency. This means fluocinonide is more suitable for more severe skin conditions. Another difference is the type of product each comes as. Both medications come as a topical solution, whereas fluocinolone also comes as a cream and an ointment. Speak with your prescriber if you have questions comparing the two medications.
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Risks and warnings for Fluocinolone
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.
Altered stress hormone levels
- Risk factors: Applying fluocinolone to large areas of the body | Applying fluocinolone for a long time | Applying more than one topical steroid onto the skin | Covering the medicated area | Applying onto damaged skin | Children
It's possible for your body to absorb too much fluocinolone through the skin in certain situations, like applying the medication to larger areas of skin over longer periods of time and covering the treated area with tight bandages. This can cause changes in your stress hormone levels (e.g., cortisol), affecting many bodily functions. Symptoms can include tiredness, nausea, and muscle aches, which usually go away after stopping the medication, though severe cases may require additional treatment. And very rarely, more serious problems related to having too much medication in the body can include having higher blood sugar levels and, in children, possibly delayed growth. So it's important to apply fluocinolone only as directed by your prescriber.
Skin thinning
- Risk factors: Applying fluocinolone to the folds of the skin or face
Unless instructed by your prescriber, don't apply fluocinolone to the face. This medication can cause skin thinning and skin damage, even with short-term use. Apply the smallest amount needed for the shortest duration possible.
Fluocinolone dosage
Typical dosage for Fluocinolone
Fluocinolone comes as a cream, ointment, and topical solution.
The typical dose is to apply a thin layer to the affected area(s) 2 to 4 times daily, depending on the condition that's being treated.
Interactions between 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.
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