What is Fluocinolone used for: Side effects & Precautions?

Why is Fluocinolone prescribed?

In the treatment of the various skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, allergies, rash, itching, redness, dryness, crusting, scaling, inflammation fluocinolone topical is used.  Fluocinolone comes under the class of medications known as corticosteroids. It reduces swelling, redness, and itching in the skin by activating natural substances. Fluocinolone topical is a medium-strength corticosteroid.

How should Fluocinolone medication be used?

Fluocinolone topical is available in various strengths and forms like ointment, cream, shampoo, and oil. You can use them on the skin or scalp. If you are using the fluocinolone in ointment, cream, solution, and oil form then it is usually used two to four times a day. If you are using fluocinolone shampoo form then it is used usually once a day.

Always remember that the directions written on your prescription label, follow them very carefully, and use fluocinolone medication exactly as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. If anything that you don’t understand asks your doctor or pharmacist to explain it again. If you are using this medication and you are feeling well then continue to use fluocinolone. Don’t try to stop using it without consulting your health care professional or don’t try to use this medication more or less often than prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Without consulting your health care professional, don’t try to use it to treat other skin conditions, or not apply it to other areas of your body or wrap the affected area.

How to apply Fluocinolone ointment, cream, solution, shampoo, and oil?

  • Before using Fluocinolone, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water very gently.
  • Before applying this medication, always clean and dry first the affected area.
  • As directed by your health care professional, if you are using ointment, cream, or solution then apply the thin film of this medication three to four times a day to the affected area and rub it gently. If you are using the fluocinolone shampoo then apply a small amount of fluocinolone shampoo to the scalp and use your fingers to form a lather. 
  • Unless directed to do so by your health care professional, do not try to cover or wrap the affected area after applying the medication.
  • If you are using this medication over the infant in the diaper area, then do not use tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants.
  • In the end, wash your hands again to remove the medication.

As directed by your health care professional, if you are using oil on your scalp to treat psoriasis, then apply a small amount of the oil to the scalp and rub it in gently. After that cover the head with the shower cap supplied for at least 4 hours  and then wash your head as usual.

If you are using this medication near your eye, nose, or mouth then try to avoid getting this medication into your eyes because this may cause glaucoma. In case you get the fluocinolone topical in your eye, nose, or mouth then rinse with plenty of water.

When you are using this medication to treat the affected area and your skin condition should improve during the first two weeks of your treatment then talk to your doctor or pharmacist if your symptoms do not improve during this time. And there are some others product also available for the treatment of rash, itching, redness such as Desoximetasone that you can use for diseases.

Notes: Don’t ever try to share this medication to other people. And always remember that this medication is only used for skin infections and doctors prescribed this medicine only for current  conditions and don’t use it later.

What are other uses of Fluocinolone topical?

There are some other uses of this medicine that it’s prescribed by your health care professional. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about the prescribed treatments for other diseases of fluocinolone topical.

What special dietary plans should I take?

Ask your doctor or health care professional for instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity. Or you can continue your normal diet if your doctor or health care professional didn’t give you any instructions.

What special precautions could I take?

Some special precaution of fluocinolone medication you should have followed before using this medication:

  • If you are taking some prescription and nonprescription medications, corticosteroid medications, other topical medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products, or planning to take them, then tell your doctor and pharmacist.
  • If you are allergic to fluocinolone topical, peanuts, or any of the ingredients in fluocinolone topical products then tell your doctor and pharmacist.
  • If you have a skin infection or any other skin problems or have ever had diabetes or Cushing’s syndrome then tell your doctor and pharmacist.
  • If you have any medical history or are allergic to fluocinolone topical products or any other medications then tell your doctor and pharmacist.
  • If you are breastfeeding, pregnant, or planning to become pregnant and using the fluocinolone topical. If you become pregnant while taking fluocinolone topical then tell your doctor and pharmacist.

These are all precautions that you can take while using the fluocinolone topical. If you have experienced or faced any of the problems mentioned above then contact your doctor or pharmacists immediately.

What side effects fluocinolone cause?

Don’t use it for a longer time period than prescribed, but in case, If you’re using this medication for prolonged or repeated long periods then it may result in some serious side effects. If you notice or feel any of the new or worsening symptoms then tell your doctor or pharmacist.

This medication only uses serious side effects because people that are using fluocinolone topically have some serious side effects. Don’t use this medication without your doctor’s prescription, Doctors will suggest fluocinolone medication by judging the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.

Some common side effects of fluocinolone topical:

Stop taking or using fluocinolone topical if you experience any of these common side effects or symptoms, and call your doctor immediately:

  • You’ll feel bruising or shiny skin.
  • You’ll feel tiny red bumps or rash around the mouth.
  • You’ll feel small white or red bumps on the skin.
  • You’ll feel burning, itching, irritation, redness, or drying of the skin
  • You’ll feel acne.
  • You’ll feel a change in skin color.

Some serious side effects of fluocinolone topical:

Stop taking or using fluocinolone topical, if you experience any of these serious side effects or symptoms, and call your doctor immediately:

  • You’ll feel difficulty breathing or swallowing.
  • You’ll feel wheezing.
  • You’ll feel redness, swelling, or other signs of skin infection.
  • You’ll feel a severe skin rash.
  • You’ll feel hives.
  • You’ll feel stretch marks, or skin thinning/discoloration
  • You’ll feel extreme/unwanted hair growth or hair bumps.

This medication can absorb the bloodstream from the skin. This side is more likely found in the people who are using this medication for a very long time or in children. This medication can also lead to side effects of too much corticosteroid.

Before using it on your children, talk to your child’s doctor because fluocinolone topical can increase the risk of side effects such as delayed weight gain and slowed growth. If you have any unusual problems apart from these then immediately contact your healthcare professionals because this is not the complete list of all symptoms.

What can I do after I forget a dose?

When you start to take fluocinolone topically, always remember to write down all of the instructions that your doctor or pharmacist tells you when you ask a question: what can I do if I forget a dose?

The answer is if you forgot to take fluocinolone topically and if it is near the time of your next dose then we suggest you please skip that dose and take it at the next dose at the regular time. Don’t take the dose at irregular times. It makes your dose double and it would be harmful to you.

What happens if I overdose?

Some of the symptoms or side effects that can occur because of an overdose of fluocinolone topical. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have experienced any of the following symptoms or side effects immediately. These are very harmful to you.

What can I know about the storage and disposal of this medication?

Store this medication at room temperature and keep them away from light or excessive heat and moisture. And put them away from the reach of the pets and children, we suggest you put that medicine in a tightly closed container in which they came. Ensure that the liquid form of this product doesn’t freeze.

You should have disposed of all the medication that is unneeded in a special way to ensure that children, pets, and other people can’t consume them. You can not flush them or pour them into the drain. You can return them to the pharmacist or the best way is that you can take back the program for returning your medicines.

What other information should I know?

Don’t miss any of your doctor and laboratory appointments because your doctor will check the response of this medicine then he/she will tell you the update or other pieces of information. So, keep all your appointments with your doctor, pharmacist, and the laboratory. 

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you feel your health condition is getting worse or your dose may need to be adjusted.

It is very important to tell your pharmacist about all your prescriptions and non prescriptions you were taking and make a list of them and carry the list all time it would help you in case of emergencies. When you meet or visit your doctor you should bring the list. It’s important to your doctor.

And ensure that no one is taking your medicine or no one has them. And every time when you meet your pharmacist or doctor asks them any of the questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Brand names

  • Capex Shampoo
  • Derma-Smoothe/FS
  • Fluocet
  • Fluonid
  • Fluotrex
  • Neo-Synalar (as a combination product containing Fluocinolone and Neomycin)
  • Synalar

Hope you find this blog useful. Please tell us your experience with this blog in the comment section and keep visiting for further pieces of information.

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