Fluticasone Topical application Advanced Patient Information - Drugs.com

Skip to main content
Print
Save

# Fluticasone (Topical application)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 10, 2022.

## Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

- Cutivate

Available Dosage Forms:

- Cream
- Lotion
- Ointment

Therapeutic Class: Corticosteroid, Intermediate

Pharmacologic Class: Fluticasone

## Uses for fluticasone

Fluticasone topical is used to help relieve redness, itching, swelling, or other discomfort caused by skin conditions (eg, atopic dermatitis). Fluticasone is a corticosteroid (cortisone-like medicine or steroid).

Fluticasone is available only with your doctor's prescription.

## Before using fluticasone

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For fluticasone, the following should be considered:

### Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to fluticasone or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

### Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of fluticasone topical cream or lotion in children 3 months of age and older. However, because of fluticasone's toxicity, it should be used with caution. Children may absorb large amounts through the skin, which can cause serious side effects. If your child is using fluticasone, follow your doctor's instructions very carefully.

Use of fluticasone ointment is not recommended in children.

### Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of fluticasone topical in the elderly.

### Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

### Interactions with medicines

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.

### Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

### Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of fluticasone. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

- Cushing's syndrome (adrenal gland disorder) or
- Diabetes or
- Eye or vision problems or
- Glucosuria (sugar in the urine) or
- Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) or
- Intracranial hypertension (increased pressure in the head)—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

- Formaldehyde (formalin) allergy, history of—Should not be used in patients with this condition.

- Infection of the skin at or near the place of application or
- Large sores, broken skin, or severe skin injury at the place of application—The chance of side effects may be increased.

- Perioral dermatitis (skin problem) or
- Rosacea (skin problem) or
- Skin atrophy—Fluticasone ointment should not be used in patients with these conditions.

## Related/similar drugs

prednisone, fluticasone topical, methylprednisolone, Medrol, Dupixent, Medrol Dosepak, Solu-Medrol

## Proper use of fluticasone

It is very important that you use fluticasone only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may cause unwanted side effects or skin irritation.

Fluticasone is for use on the skin only. Do not get it in your eyes, mouth, or vagina. Do not use it on skin areas that have cuts, scrapes, or burns. Do not apply Cutivate® ointment to your nipple or areola, if you are breastfeeding. If it does get on these areas, rinse it off right away with water.

Fluticasone comes with a patient information insert. Read and follow the instructions in the insert carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Fluticasone should only be used for skin conditions that your doctor is treating. Check with your doctor before using it for other conditions, especially if you think that a skin infection may be present. Fluticasone should not be used to treat certain kinds of skin infections or conditions, including severe burns.

Do not use fluticasone on the face, groin, or underarms unless directed to do so by your doctor.

To use:

- Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using fluticasone.
- Apply a thin layer of fluticasone to the affected area of the skin. Rub it in gently.
- Protect the skin from water, clothing, or anything that causes rubbing until the medicine has dried.
- Do not bandage or otherwise wrap the skin being treated unless directed to do so by your doctor.
- If the medicine is applied to the diaper area of an infant, do not use tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants unless directed to do so by your doctor. It should not be used in the diaper areas.
- If your doctor ordered an occlusive dressing or airtight covering to be applied over the medicine, make sure you know how to apply it. Occlusive dressings increase the amount of medicine absorbed through your skin, so use them only as directed. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

### Dosing

The dose of fluticasone will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of fluticasone. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

- For topical dosage form (cream):
  - For atopic dermatitis:
    - Adults and children 3 months of age and older—Apply to the affected area of the skin once or 2 times a day.
    - Children younger than 3 months of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  - For other corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses:
    - Adults and children 3 months of age and older—Apply to the affected area of the skin 2 times a day.
    - Children younger than 3 months of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For topical dosage form (lotion):
  - For atopic dermatitis:
    - Adults and children 3 months of age and older—Apply to the affected area of the skin once a day.
    - Children younger than 3 months of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For topical dosage form (ointment):
  - For corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses:
    - Adults—Apply to the affected area of the skin 2 times a day.
    - Children—Use is not recommended.

### Missed dose

If you miss a dose of fluticasone, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

### Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

You may store the fluticasone cream or Cutivate® ointment at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

Detailed Fluticasone topical dosage information

## Precautions while using fluticasone

It is very important that your doctor check the progress of you or your child at regular visits for any unwanted effects that may be caused by fluticasone.

If your or your child's symptoms do not improve within 2 weeks, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Using too much of fluticasone or using it for a long time may increase your risk of having adrenal or pituitary gland problems. The risk is greater for children and patients who use large amounts for a long time. Talk to your doctor right away if you or your child have blurred vision, darkening of the skin, diarrhea, dizziness or fainting, a fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat, increased thirst or urination, irritability, loss of appetite, mental depression, nausea, skin rash, or unusual tiredness or weakness, or vomiting.

Check with your doctor right away if blurred vision, difficulty with reading, or any other change in vision occurs during or after treatment. These may be symptoms of eye or vision problems (eg, cataracts, glaucoma). Your doctor may want your eyes be checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

Fluticasone may cause serious skin reactions, which may occur if you cover the treated skin area or use the medicine for a long time. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have thinning of the skin with easy bruising, reddish purple lines on the arms, face, legs, trunk, or groin areas, acne or pimples, darkening or lightening of skin color, blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, flaking of the skin, or itching, scaling, severe redness, soreness, swelling of the skin.

Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have a skin rash, burning, stinging, swelling, or irritation on the skin. Do not use cosmetics or other skin care products on the treated areas.

## Fluticasone side effects

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:

Less common

- Burning, itching, redness, or stinging of the skin
- hives or welts, skin rash
- raised, dark red, wart-like spots on the skin, especially when used on the face

Rare

- Burning, itching, and pain in hairy areas, pus at the root of the hair

Incidence not known

- Backache
- black, tarry stools
- bleeding gums
- blindness
- blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin
- blood in the urine or stools
- blurred vision
- burning and itching of skin with pinhead-sized red blisters
- change in vision
- chest pain
- darkening of the skin
- decreased vision
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- eye pain
- facial hair growth in females
- fainting
- fractures
- fruit-like breath odor
- full or round face, neck, or trunk
- headache
- increased hunger or thirst
- increased urination
- irritability
- itching, scaling, severe redness, soreness, swelling of the skin
- lightening of the normal skin color
- lightening of treated areas of the dark skin
- loss of appetite
- loss of sexual desire or ability
- loss of vision
- menstrual irregularities
- mental depression
- muscle wasting
- nausea
- painful or difficult urination
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- reddish purple lines on the arms, face, legs, trunk, or groin
- redness and scaling around the mouth
- stomach pain
- sweating
- tearing
- thinning of the skin with easy bruising, especially when used on the face or where the skin folds together (eg, between the fingers)
- 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:

Less common

- Body aches or pain
- change in hearing
- chills
- common cold
- cough
- difficulty with breathing
- dry skin
- ear congestion
- ear drainage
- earache or pain in the ear
- fever
- increased hair growth on the forehead, back, arms, and legs
- lightheadedness
- loss of voice
- runny or stuffy nose
- sneezing
- sore throat

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.

Fluticasone topical side effects (more detail)

## More about fluticasone topical

- Check interactions
- Pricing & coupons
- Reviews (6)
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: topical steroids
- En español

### Patient resources

- Drug Information
- Fluticasone Cream and Lotion
- Fluticasone Ointment

#### Other brands

Cutivate, Beser

### Professional resources

- Prescribing Information

### Related treatment guides

- Eczema
- Atopic Dermatitis
- Dermatitis
- Dermatologic Lesion
- Lichen Sclerosus

## Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer