FDA-filed SPL labeling · retrieved through openFDA

Fluocinonide

Fluocinonide is a high-potency topical corticosteroid used to relieve the redness, itching, and inflammation of various skin conditions, including eczema (atopic dermatitis) and psoriasis.

Brand names VanosFluocinol Pak
Drug class Corticosteroid
Rx Forms 2 Route Topical
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 54 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

At a glance
Linked label effectiveFeb 27, 2024
Clinical labels in scope 54
AvailabilityRx
Earliest approval/marketing year 1971
FDA-listed product records 146
Boxed warningYes
How we combine label and product data →
No current FDA shortage listed · checked Sep 17, 2026 🚨Recall on record · 3
Other forms & routes:
Fluocinonide at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
💊
HelloPharmacist Editorial Team Bottom Line
Fluocinonide is a powerful prescription steroid cream, gel, ointment, or solution that reduces skin inflammation and itching from conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Because it's a high-potency steroid, it's important to use only the amount prescribed, only on the areas directed, and not for longer than recommended. Let your doctor know if your skin isn't improving or if you notice any unusual side effects.
⚠️ FDA Boxed Warning — the FDA’s strongest safety alert

Fluocinonide Cream USP 0.1% is for skin use only. Do not get it in your eyes, mouth, or vagina. It should not be applied to the face, groin, or underarms.

Read the full warning on DailyMed →

📖 Fluocinonide: Patient Information Guide

A plain-language walkthrough of Fluocinonide — what it treats, how it works, how it’s taken, side effects, warnings and interactions. Tap any section to expand it.

🎯What it's used for

Fluocinonide is used to treat inflammatory, itchy skin conditions — called corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses — across several products and strengths.

  • Vanos Cream 0.1% is approved to relieve inflammation and itching from corticosteroid-responsive skin conditions in patients 12 years and older
  • Fluocinonide Cream USP 0.1% is approved for the same conditions in patients 12 years and older
  • Fluocinonide Cream USP 0.05%, Fluocinonide Gel USP 0.05%, and Fluocinonide Ointment USP 0.05% are approved for corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses (no age restriction specified in that labeling)
  • Fluocinonide Topical Solution USP 0.05% is approved for the relief of inflammation and itching from corticosteroid-responsive skin conditions
  • Conditions studied in clinical trials with the 0.1% products include plaque-type psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (eczema)
  • Vanos Cream and Fluocinonide Cream USP 0.1% should not be used for rosacea or perioral dermatitis (rash around the mouth), or on the face, groin, or underarms
⚙️How it works

Fluocinonide is a corticosteroid — a type of steroid — that works by influencing cellular signaling, calming immune activity, and reducing inflammation in the skin. The precise way it clears up skin conditions isn't fully known, but it's classified as a super-high-potency topical steroid, placing it among the strongest in its class. The higher the potency, the more effective it tends to be — but also the greater the care needed with how it's used.

💊How it's taken

Fluocinonide is applied as a thin layer to the affected skin only — never swallowed or used in the eyes, mouth, or vagina. The exact frequency depends on the product, strength, and condition being treated.

  • Vanos Cream 0.1% / Fluocinonide Cream USP 0.1%: once or twice daily for psoriasis; once daily for atopic dermatitis; once or twice daily for other conditions — as directed by your doctor
  • Fluocinonide 0.05% cream, gel, ointment, and solution: generally two to four times daily depending on severity
  • For the 0.1% products, treatment beyond 2 consecutive weeks is not recommended, and total use should not exceed 60 g per week
  • Always follow your prescriber's instructions — do not use more than directed or on areas not specified
🤒Side effects — in detail

The most commonly reported side effects from fluocinonide include:

  • Headache
  • Burning or stinging at the application site
  • Stuffy nose (nasal congestion)
  • Nasopharyngitis (upper respiratory symptoms similar to a cold)
  • Skin irritation, dryness, or redness
  • Acne or acne-like breakouts at the treated area
  • Skin discoloration or tightness
  • Itching or swelling at the application site

More serious reactions — including skin thinning, stretch marks, signs of too much steroid being absorbed (like weight gain or fatigue), or a skin infection — should be reported to your doctor right away. Some local skin changes can be permanent.

⚠️Warnings & precautions
  • HPA axis suppression: Fluocinonide can be absorbed through skin into the bloodstream and disrupt the body's natural hormone (steroid) system — a condition called HPA axis suppression. This is more likely if you use large amounts, cover treated skin with tight bandages, use it for a long time, or have damaged skin. Symptoms include extreme tiredness and weakness.
  • Cushing's syndrome and high blood sugar: Long-term or excessive absorption can cause Cushing's syndrome (too much steroid in the body) or elevate blood sugar — and can unmask previously undiagnosed diabetes.
  • Skin reactions: Local effects including skin thinning, stretch marks (striae), folliculitis (inflamed hair follicles), skin discoloration, and allergic contact dermatitis can occur — some may be irreversible. Risks are higher with prolonged use, occlusive dressings, or higher-potency products.
  • Children: Kids absorb proportionally more steroid through the skin and are at greater risk of HPA axis suppression, growth problems, and other systemic effects. The 0.1% products are not recommended under 12 years of age.
  • Skin infections: If a skin infection develops during treatment, appropriate antibiotic or antifungal therapy is needed. Occlusive dressings should be stopped if infection occurs.
  • Do not use on face, groin, or underarms (for 0.1% products), and avoid use for rosacea or perioral dermatitis.
🔀What it interacts with

The FDA labeling for fluocinonide does not identify specific drug-drug or drug-food interactions. However, one important caution is noted:

  • Other corticosteroid-containing products: Using more than one steroid product at the same time can increase the total amount of steroid absorbed into your body, raising the risk of systemic side effects — always tell your doctor about any other steroid creams, ointments, or medicines you are using

This is not a complete list of interactions. Always talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

📋Before taking it
  • Do not use fluocinonide if you are allergic to it or to any of its ingredients
  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant — animal studies have shown corticosteroids can harm a developing baby, and there are no adequate human studies; use only if clearly necessary
  • If you are breastfeeding, discuss the risks with your doctor — it is unknown whether topical fluocinonide passes into breast milk in meaningful amounts
  • The 0.1% strength products are not recommended for children under 12 years of age — safety and effectiveness have not been established
  • Children of any age require extra caution; they absorb more steroid through the skin relative to their body size
  • People with liver problems may have higher drug levels in their body, increasing the risk of side effects
  • Tell your doctor about all other steroid products you are using — combining them raises absorption risk
  • Do not use on the face, groin, or underarms (0.1% products), and do not use for rosacea or perioral dermatitis
🚑If you take too much

Topically applied fluocinonide can be absorbed through the skin in amounts large enough to cause whole-body (systemic) effects if too much is used. These effects are the same as described in the warnings — HPA axis suppression, Cushing's syndrome, and related hormone disruptions. If you think you or someone else has used too much, contact your doctor or poison control center.

📡Pharmacodynamics — effects in the body

Studies using a skin-blanching (vasoconstrictor) test show that fluocinonide cream 0.1% is in the super-high potency range compared to other topical corticosteroids. In clinical studies, applying it once or twice daily for 14 days caused measurable suppression of the HPA axis (the body's steroid hormone control system) in some adult and pediatric patients — though in all cases where follow-up was done after stopping the medication, the body's hormone response returned to normal within 2 weeks.

🔬Pharmacokinetics — how your body processes it

Fluocinonide is absorbed through the skin, and how much gets into the bloodstream depends on factors like the skin's condition, the product formulation used, and whether the area is covered with an occlusive dressing — which significantly increases absorption. Inflamed or damaged skin also lets more medication through than healthy skin. Once absorbed, fluocinonide is processed similarly to other corticosteroids taken by mouth or injection: it is broken down mainly in the liver and cleared through the kidneys, with some eliminated through bile.

📦How to store it

Store at 20°-25°C (68°-77°F) . Store at controlled room temperature. Avoid excessive heat, above 40°C (104°F).

📄 Written from Fluocinonide’s FDA-approved label information, summarized in plain language with AI, and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Every point is grounded in that labeling — nothing is invented. How we use AI →

🩺 Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Fluocinonide — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

What skin problems does fluocinonide actually treat?
Fluocinonide is used to calm inflamed, itchy skin — things like eczema (atopic dermatitis), psoriasis, and other inflammatory skin conditions that respond to steroid treatment. It reduces redness, swelling, and that relentless itch. Just keep in mind that the 0.1% strength products, like Vanos Cream, are specifically approved for people 12 and older.
How do I apply it correctly?
Use a thin layer — just enough to cover the affected area — and rub it in gently. How often you apply it depends on your product and condition: some people use it once a day, others up to two to four times daily depending on the strength and what your doctor prescribed. Always stick to the areas your doctor told you to treat, and keep it away from your eyes, mouth, and vagina. Don't use it on your face, groin, or underarms unless your doctor specifically says to.
How long can I use this? I feel like my skin needs it all the time.
That's a really common feeling with skin conditions, but with the 0.1% strength products, treatment beyond 2 consecutive weeks is generally not recommended because of the risk of the medication affecting your body's hormone system. If your skin isn't improving after 2 weeks, check back with your doctor — there may be a better plan. For the 0.05% strength products, follow your prescriber's guidance on duration.
Are there side effects I should actually be worried about?
Most people just notice mild things like a bit of burning when they first apply it, or maybe a headache. The bigger things to watch for are signs that the medication is being absorbed into your system — unusual tiredness, weight gain, or a puffy face could point to too much steroid getting into your body. Also call your doctor if your skin starts to look thinner, develops stretch marks, or shows signs of infection like increased redness, swelling, or pus.
Can I use this on my child?
It depends on their age and which product is prescribed. The 0.1% strength — like Vanos Cream — has not been shown to be safe or effective in children under 12, so it's not recommended for that age group. Kids absorb more of this medication through their skin than adults do, which puts them at greater risk for side effects. Always follow your child's doctor's guidance carefully, and never apply more than directed.
I'm pregnant — is it safe to use fluocinonide?
There aren't solid human studies on this, and animal studies have raised some concerns about corticosteroids during pregnancy. Your doctor should weigh whether the benefit to you outweighs any potential risk. Don't stop using it without talking to your doctor first, but definitely let them know you're pregnant so you can make that decision together.
Is Fluocinonide available over the counter?
Fluocinonide is dispensed by prescription according to its FDA labeling, so it isn't sold over the counter. Your prescriber and pharmacist will determine if it's appropriate for you.
When was Fluocinonide first available?
Fluocinonide has been available in the United States since at least 1971, based on FDA approval history (Drugs@FDA) and product marketing records.
Who makes Fluocinonide?
Fluocinonide is supplied by 46 manufacturers listed in the FDA NDC Directory, including Bryant Ranch Prepack, A-S Medication Solutions, NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc..

💬 Answers drafted from Fluocinonide’s FDA-approved label information, summarized in plain language with AI, and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Grounded in that labeling — nothing is made up. How we use AI →

🧰 Keep exploring

💊 How Fluocinonide comes

Fluocinonide is available in 2 forms. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Topical cream, ointment or gel

On the skin
Brands Vanos
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Vanos Cream 0.1% is indicated for inflammatory and itchy skin conditions (corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses) in patients 12 years and older
  • Fluocinonide Cream USP 0.1% is indicated for inflammatory and itchy skin conditions in patients 12 years and older
  • Fluocinonide Cream USP, Gel USP, and Ointment USP 0.05% are indicated for inflammatory and itchy corticosteroid-responsive skin conditions
Important instructions
  • Vanos Cream: apply a thin layer once or twice daily for psoriasis, or once daily for atopic dermatitis, to affected areas as directed by your doctor
  • Fluocinonide Cream USP 0.1%: apply a thin layer once or twice daily for psoriasis, or once daily for atopic dermatitis, as directed
  • Fluocinonide Cream USP, Gel USP, and Ointment USP 0.05%: apply a thin layer two to four times daily depending on how severe the condition is
  • For any form, do not apply to the face, groin, or underarms, and keep away from eyes and mouth
Available strengths 3 strengths
111 FDA-listed product records

Topical solution

On the skin
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Fluocinonide Topical Solution USP 0.05% is indicated for the relief of inflammation and itching from corticosteroid-responsive skin conditions
Important instructions
  • Fluocinonide Topical Solution USP 0.05%: apply a thin film to the affected area two to four times daily depending on severity
  • If a skin infection develops while using occlusive dressings, stop the dressings and contact your doctor for appropriate treatment
Available strengths 1 strength
25 FDA-listed product records

📊 Fluocinonide across the U.S. market

How Fluocinonide appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

2
Dose forms
46
Manufacturers
5
Brand names
146
FDA-listed product records
1971
First marketed

FDA-listed product records by dose form (tablet variants merged) — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

Also listed with the FDA, not a patient dose form: Powder (8) · Kit (2) — bulk drug substance sold to compounders/manufacturers and multi-item kits. These aren’t counted in the dose-form total above.

Bryant Ranch Prepack12%
A-S Medication Solutions9%
NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc.9%
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.6%
Taro Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.5%
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc.4%
Other makers55%

Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

📈 How widely Fluocinonide is used

A general measure of how commonly Fluocinonide is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

Think of this as a proxy for how widely Fluocinonide is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

235,702
Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q1–Q4 2025)
$6.3M gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

How commonly is Fluocinonide prescribed? Of the 1,596 medications we measure, Fluocinonide ranks #367 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 77% of them.

Where Fluocinonide ranks among the drugs we measure · Q1–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5

Utilization by Fluocinonide product

Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.

The 0.5 mg/mL topical solution is the most-dispensed Fluocinonide product — about 47% of these Medicaid prescriptions.

fluocinonide 0.5 MG/ML Topical Solution Most dispensed

110,830 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 47% of Fluocinonide prescriptions shown $2.6M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $24 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 10 of 30 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 310364

fluocinonide 0.5 MG/ML Topical Cream

62,546 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 27% of Fluocinonide prescriptions shown $1.9M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $31 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 14 of 44 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 103456

fluocinonide 0.0005 MG/MG Topical Ointment

57,509 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 24% of Fluocinonide prescriptions shown $1.5M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $27 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 9 of 31 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 103457

fluocinonide 0.0005 MG/MG Topical Gel

2,547 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 1% of Fluocinonide prescriptions shown $143,966 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $57 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 5 of 18 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 310362

Emollient fluocinonide 0.5 MG/ML Topical Cream

1,156 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Fluocinonide prescriptions shown $66,405 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $57 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 6 of 12 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1801283

fluocinonide 1 MG/ML Topical Cream

1,114 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Fluocinonide prescriptions shown $22,417 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $20 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 4 of 38 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 485647

Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.

Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Fluocinonide, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 48 of 173 listed Fluocinonide NDCs with Medicaid activity.

🔍 Compare Fluocinonide products

A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Fluocinonide — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

Showing 146 of 146 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 146 Fluocinonide NDCs →

RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength

This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.

Ingredient (IN) Fluocinonide RxCUI 4462 4 dose forms · 6 strengths
  1. Dose form (SCDF) Topical Gel RxCUI 379077 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 0.0005 MG/MG RxCUI 310362
  2. Dose form (SCDF) Topical Ointment RxCUI 372222 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 0.0005 MG/MG RxCUI 103457
  3. Dose form (SCDF) Topical Solution RxCUI 385001 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 0.5 MG/ML RxCUI 310364

Look up RxCUI 4462 in the RxCUI Atlas →

RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.

🏷️ Sold under these brand names

Vanos Fluocinol Pak

🏭 Manufacturers & labelers

Bryant Ranch Prepack 17 A-S Medication Solutions 12 NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc. 12 Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. 9 Taro Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. 7 Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. 6 Alvogen Inc. 5 Amneal Pharmaceuticals NY LLC 5 RPK Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 5 Preferred Pharmaceuticals Inc. 5 Teligent Pharma, Inc. 4 Zydus Lifesciences Limited 4 Ipg Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 3 Bausch Health US, LLC 3 Cosette Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 3 Padagis Israel Pharmaceuticals Ltd 2 Asclemed USA, Inc. 2 Xiromed LLC 2 PureTek Corporation 2 Proficient Rx LP 2 Farmabios S.p.A. 2 Glasshouse Pharmaceuticals Limited Canada 2 Fougera Pharmaceuticals Inc. 2 Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA 2

…and 16 more on the FDA NDC directory.

RxNorm drug class

Fluocinonide belongs to the Corticosteroid class.

Pharmacologic class Corticosteroid
Drug family (ATC) Corticosteroids, Corticosteroids, potent (group III)
How it works Corticosteroid Hormone Receptor Agonists

Classified by RxNorm RxClass — the U.S. National Library of Medicine's standardized drug-classification service (Established Pharmacologic Class from the FDA, the ATC drug family from the WHO, and mechanism of action). Reference only, not medical advice.

🔬 Where this comes from

Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

📄
FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Feb 27, 2024
🏭
Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Fluocinonide.
📈
Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
🚨
Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Fluocinonide after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
Clinical labels in scope
54
NDC products indexed
146
Distinct labelers/manufacturers represented
46
Linked representative label
Bausch Health US, LLC
Linked label effective
Feb 27, 2024
Composite sections available
23
Linked SPL Set ID
95cb19a0-4b71-4c66-92bd-901cfd223301
Linked SPL Document ID
679f7835-6495-4ea6-bd02-e5f62d462776
Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗

How we combine label and product data

HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records; we don’t author the underlying clinical facts. We identified 54 FDA-filed SPL label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. The representative label is the starting point for the displayed reference monograph; the 12 largest stored in-scope SPL records, which may include that representative, are compared section by section, and the longest available version of each section is retained. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, product-listed strengths, and product-record counts are aggregated separately from ingredient-matched FDA NDC Directory records; package records listed above are associated with the linked SPL; and the normalized concept hierarchy comes from NLM RxNorm.

For canonical ingredient pages, bounded product-attributed indication and administration excerpts may be added to the AI evidence, and the generator is instructed to preserve available product, brand, route, and form qualifiers instead of treating one label as universal. Where a section is identified as AI-written, its plain-language text is generated from bounded label evidence. New draft drug pages remain in the admin review queue before first publication. Bausch Health US, LLC is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates; it is not the sole source used for the page.

This is general education, not medical advice — always consult your doctor or pharmacist about your medications and any medical condition. For the exact wording of the linked representative label, view that label on DailyMed; some displayed composite sections may come from other in-scope SPL labels. Learn how we use AI and our data sources & update cadence.