Fluocinonide

Introduction

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA
Updated on August 15, 2023

Fluocinonide (floo oh SIN oh nide) is a generic medication prescribed for certain skin conditions that may cause itching and inflammation. Fluocinonide belongs to a group of drugs called corticosteroids.

This article doesn’t provide coupons for all forms of fluocinonide. To find coupons for fluocinonide emulsified topical cream, see this article.

Uses of fluocinonide

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as fluocinonide for certain conditions. Approved uses for fluocinonide are described below.

Use for certain skin conditions

Doctors may prescribe fluocinonide topical cream, ointment, gel, or solution for treating certain skin conditions that may cause itching and inflammation. It’s used for this purpose in adults and children. It can be prescribed as a short-term or long-term treatment.

With skin conditions that cause itching and inflammation, the skin becomes irritated. In addition to itching, other symptoms can occur, such as swelling, dryness, redness, crusting, or scaliness. Examples of conditions that can cause these symptoms include allergic reactions, skin infections, eczema, and psoriasis. Fluocinonide can help relieve symptoms of these conditions.

Side effects of fluocinonide

Fluocinonide may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of fluocinonide and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about fluocinonide’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for fluocinonide listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with fluocinonide are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about fluocinonide’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for fluocinonide listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Fluocinonide’s mild side effects include:

• burning
• dryness
• irritation
• itchiness
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for fluocinonide” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of fluocinonide are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about fluocinonide’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for fluocinonide listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, fluocinonide’s serious side effects include:

• adrenal insufficiency (when the adrenal glands don’t make enough cortisol)
• Cushing syndrome (high levels of cortisol)
• increased blood sugar levels
• increased risk of skin infection
• loss of skin color
• skin thinning or breakdown
• slowed growth in children
• stretch marks
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for fluocinonide” section.

Common questions about fluocinonide

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about fluocinonide.

Is fluocinonide an antifungal?

No, fluocinonide isn’t an antifungal medication. So it can’t clear a fungal infection. Fluocinonide is a corticosteroid that’s prescribed to relieve itching and inflammation.

Doctors usually don’t prescribe corticosteroids for fungal infections. Corticosteroids can make these infections worse. But doctors might decide to prescribe them in some cases.

Talk with your doctor before using fluocinonide for a skin infection. 

Can fluocinonide be used for dark spots?

It’s possible. Fluocinonide isn’t approved to lighten dark spots on the skin. But doctors may prescribe it off-label for this use. Off-label drug use is when doctors prescribe a drug for conditions other than its approved uses.

To learn more about using fluocinonide for dark spots, talk with your doctor.

Can I use fluocinonide on my face?

No, you should not use fluocinonide on your face unless your doctor instructs you to do so.

Fluocinonide is a very strong corticosteroid. It’s usually too strong for the thin skin on your face. Even short-term use can cause the skin on your face to become too thin and break down. It can also cause you to lose tissue underneath your skin. This can cause your face to look less full.

If you have questions about using fluocinonide on your face, talk with your doctor.

What brand names are available for fluocinonide?

Fluocinonide is available as the brand-name drugs Lidex and Vanos. Fluocinonide is the generic version of these brand-name products.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less compared to brand-name drugs.

You can learn more about this by talking with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is fluocinonide available over the counter?

No, fluocinonide isn’t available over the counter. Your doctor will need to prescribe this medication to you.

There are other corticosteroids that you can buy over the counter. But they aren’t as strong as fluocinonide. They usually help relieve minor skin itching or irritation. But they usually can’t provide the same level of relief as fluocinonide.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to find out more about using over-the-counter corticosteroids for your condition.

How does fluocinonide work? And how long does it take to start working?

Fluocinonide works by acting as a hormone called cortisol. Your body naturally makes cortisol. One of cortisol’s functions is to suppress inflammation. By copying its actions, fluocinonide helps reduce itching, swelling, and irritation.

The time it takes for fluocinonide to start working can vary from person to person. The site where you apply it and the form of drug you’re prescribed can play a role in how fast it works. In general, fluocinonide should start relieving symptoms soon after you start using it. But it may take a couple of weeks to see its full effects.

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions and warnings for fluocinonide

Below, you’ll find information about fluocinonide’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of fluocinonide

Fluocinonide isn’t known to interact with any medications or supplements. (Interactions can affect how a drug works.) But this doesn’t mean drug interactions with fluocinonide won’t happen or be reported sometime. For instance, medications created at a later time could interact with fluocinonide.

Because of this, you should ask your doctor and pharmacist about possible interactions with fluocinonide. They can check for any interactions that may affect you, such as those with:

• vaccines
• foods or alcohol
• other drugs

Warnings for fluocinonide

Some people should not use fluocinonide, and others should use it cautiously.

Fluocinonide could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether fluocinonide is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for fluocinonide, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Fluocinonide can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to fluocinonide or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe fluocinonide. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to fluocinonide, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of fluocinonide

If you use fluocinonide, you should not use more fluocinonide than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve used too much fluocinonide, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and fluocinonide

Information about fluocinonide and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Fluocinonide and pregnancy

It’s not known whether fluocinonide should be used during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

Fluocinonide and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether fluocinonide should be used while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about fluocinonide or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How does fluocinonide compare to other medications that can treat my condition?
• How should I use fluocinonide?
• Should I use fluocinonide in addition to other medications to treat my condition, or will I use it on its own?

Resources

• Fluocinonide cream. (2019). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/aeb31b41-4304-427d-a78c-10f7d2e98316/spl-doc
• Fluocinonide cream. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/a61ad82a-1889-4f8a-9627-bc81196cfbc2/spl-doc
• Fluocinonide gel. (2017). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/2aa35781-40e0-7ce9-45fa-f97333f29085/spl-doc
• Fluocinonide ointment. (2016). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/bccf8840-3919-9f2d-0c91-496f224f76a5/spl-doc
• Fluocinonide topical solution USP, 0.05%. (2021). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/f560ead8-946f-3c79-e053-2995a90a9ea2/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.