Is fluocinonide an antifungal cream?
No, fluocinonide is not an antifungal cream. It is a potent topical corticosteroid (“steroid”) treatment used to treat skin inflammation (redness and swelling) and itching of conditions such as plaque psoriasis, atopic dermatitis (eczema) or other steroid-responsive skin conditions.
Can you combine fluocinonide cream with an antifungal?
Topical steroids are combined with antifungal medicines in some products, for example Lotrisone cream (betamethasone 0.05% / clotrimazole 1%) but are only used in patients 17 years of age and older for 2 to 4 weeks. These products are used short-term to treat athlete’s foot, jock itch and ringworm.
However, concerns do exist with the combined use of these agents. Combining topical steroids with antifungals may also result in a high rate of recurrence of the fungal infection and treatment failure. Many clinicians do not recommend the combined use of topical steroids and antifungals for this reason.
Children are more likely to absorb the steroid cream from Lotrisone through the skin. Patients younger than 17 years of age may have side effects such as HPA axis suppression (decreased production of the natural steroid hormone cortisol), skin atrophy (thinning), Cushing syndrome, high blood sugar, abnormal hair growth, and delayed growth.
How does fluocinonide work?
Corticosteroids (steroids) used on the skin such as fluocinonide work by decreasing the activity of natural chemicals in your body that lead to inflammation (swelling and pain). It inhibits the release of arachidonic acid and suppresses release of inflammatory chemicals such as kinins, histamine, or prostaglandins.
Fluocinonide is considered a high potency corticosteroid.
What are the side effects of fluocinonide?
Even though these products are used topically, they can still be absorbed through the skin and associated with important side effects. Local side effects are more likely to occur if the area is covered with an occlusive dressing (wrap) or with extensive or prolonged use of high strength medicines.
Higher strengths products, such as the 0.1% agents, should not be used on the face, groin, or axillae (armpit).
Side effects due to fluocinonide include:
- Localized skin effects such as: irritation, itching burning, contact dermatitis, skin atrophy or striae, folliculitis, or skin pigment changes.
- Endocrine and metabolic disorders such as: Cushing's syndrome, sugar in the urine (glycosuria), growth decline, HPA-axis suppression, adrenal crisis, high blood sugar (hyperglycemia).
- Skin infections
If you experience any irritation or side effect with the use of fluocinonide, contact your doctor immediately. This is not a complete list of side effects or warnings. Review the full fluocinonide monograph to see all reported side effects.
Related questions
- What does psoriasis look like?
- How do you get psoriasis and is it contagious?
- How does Tremfya work?
Bottom Line
- Fluocinonide is not an antifungal cream. It is a high potency topical corticosteroid (“steroid”) cream used to decrease inflammation and itching of conditions such as plaque psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (eczema).
- Antifungals are combined with steroid creams for use in conditions such as jock itch, ringworm or athlete’s foot (for example: Lotrisone cream) in patients 17 years of age and older. Many clinicians do not prescribe topical steroids with topical antifungal agents due to risk of side effects and treatment failure.
- Corticosteroids creams can be absorbed through the skin and cause side effects like skin thinning, pigment changes, and blood sugar changes. Follow your doctor’s instructions exactly and contact them if any side effects should occur.
This is not all the information you need to know about fluocinonide for safe and effective use. Review the full fluocinonide information here, and discuss this information with your doctor or other health care provider.
References
- Alston SJ, Cohen BA, Braun M. Persistent and recurrent tinea corporis in children treated with combination antifungal/ corticosteroid agents. Pediatrics. 2003;111(1):201-203. doi:10.1542/peds.111.1.201. Accessed July 24, 2020.
- Goldstein, et al. Dermatophyte (tinea) infections. Up to Date. Accessed July 24, 2020 at https://www.uptodate.com/contents/dermatophyte-tinea-infections
- Fluocinonide [package insert]. Cadila Healthcare Limited. Changodar, Ahmedabad, India. Feb. 2020. Accessed July 23, 2020 at https://www.drugs.com/ppa/fluocinonide.html
- Lotrisone [package insert]. Merck & Co. Whitehouse Station, NJ. June 2019. Accessed July 24, 2020 at https://www.drugs.com/pro/lotrisone.html.
Read next
How does Ilumya work to treat psoriasis?
Ilumya works by binding selectively to interleukin-23 (IL-23) which is a naturally occurring cytokine. IL-23 plays a key role in promoting inflammation and regulating other cytokines (such as IL-17) and inflammatory substances, such as TNF-α3-7. By blocking the effects of IL-23, Ilumya helps control the release of IL-17 and TNF-α, which reduces inflammation associated with psoriasis. It also decreases how many inflammatory cells are present within psoriatic lesions, helps prevent plaque formation, and resolves tissue damage. Continue reading
What's a good prednisone taper schedule?
The best prednisone taper will depend upon how long you have been taking the medicine, your dose, and why you are being treated. If you've been treated with a high dose of prednisone, or taken it for more than a few weeks, you will need to slowly stop your medicine, usually over a period of days, weeks or months. Your healthcare provider will determine your prednisone tapering schedule. Continue reading
Prednisone: What are 12 Things You Should Know?
Prednisone has been on the market for more than 70 years but is still one of the most commonly prescribed anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive medications. Prednisone is used to treat dozens of different conditions such as skin disorders, breathing disorders, allergies, arthritis, and ulcerative colitis. But did you know it also has some pretty serious side effects as well?
Continue readingSee also:
Related medical questions
- Where should you not use triamcinolone acetonide cream?
- What are the new drugs for plaque psoriasis?
- Why should I take folic acid with methotrexate?
- Is triamcinolone acetonide an antifungal cream?
- How do you use clobetasol propionate on your scalp?
- Clobetasol vs. triamcinolone - how do they compare?
- What is a substitute for fluocinonide cream?
- Sotyktu vs Otezla: How do they compare?
- How long does methotrexate stay in your system?
- Halobetasol vs. clobetasol - How do they compare?
- Does taking vitamin D help with psoriasis?
- Can clobetasol be used for toenail fungus?
- How long does it take for Skyrizi to work?
- What are 6 key Taltz side effects to watch out for?
- What causes Plaque Psoriasis?
- How does Taltz compare to Cosentyx for psoriatic arthritis?
- How long does clobetasol stay in your system?
- What's the dosing schedule for Skyrizi?
- Does Feverfew interact with any drugs?
- How long does it take for Otezla to work?
- How long should you use fluocinonide for?
- How do you inject Humira?
- Cosentyx vs Humira: How do they compare?
- Does Cosentyx cause weight gain or loss?
Drug information
Related support groups
- Psoriasis (109 questions, 310 members)
- Fluocinonide (25 questions, 24 members)
- Vanos (4 questions, 4 members)
- Lotrisone (1 questions, 7 members)
- Atopic Dermatitis (48 questions, 54 members)
- Dermatitis (39 questions, 59 members)
- Eczema (59 questions, 137 members)
- Contact Dermatitis (38 questions, 34 members)
- Lichen Planus (15 questions, 77 members)
- Granuloma Annulare (2 questions, 16 members)