Fluticasone Topical Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 28, 2025.
Applies to fluticasone topical: topical application cream, topical application lotion, topical application ointment.
Precautions
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 this medicine.
If your or your child's symptoms do not improve within two weeks, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
Using too much of this medicine or using it for a long time may increase your risk of having adrenal 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 more than one of these symptoms while you are using this medicine: blurred vision; dizziness or fainting; a fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat; increased thirst or urination; irritability; or unusual tiredness or weakness.
Stop using this medicine and 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.
Serious side effects of fluticasone topical
Along with its needed effects, fluticasone topical 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 while taking fluticasone topical:
More common side effects
- dry skin
Less common side effects
- breakdown of the skin
- burning or stinging skin
- hives or welts
- irritation and redness of the skin
- itching
- numbness of the fingers
- raised, dark red, or wart-like spots on the skin, especially when used on the face
- skin rash
Rare side effects
- pain
- red rash with watery, yellow-colored, or pus filled blisters
- skin rash, encrusted, scaly, and oozing
- swelling
- tenderness
- thick yellow to honey-colored crusts
- warmth on the skin
Incidence not known
- abdominal or stomach pain
- backache
- black, tarry stools
- bleeding gums
- blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin
- blood in the urine or stools
- blurred vision
- chest pain
- cough or hoarseness
- dry mouth
- facial hair growth in females
- fever or chills
- flushed, dry skin
- fractures
- fruit-like breath odor
- full or round face, neck, or trunk
- increased hunger
- increased thirst or urination
- irritability
- itching, scaling, severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin
- loss of sexual desire or ability
- lower back or side pain
- menstrual irregularities
- muscle wasting
- nausea
- painful or difficult urination
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- redness and scaling around the mouth
- shortness of breath
- sneezing
- sore throat
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
- sugar in the urine
- sweating
- swelling of the throat
- swollen glands
- thinning of the skin with easy bruising, especially when used on the face or where the skin folds together (e.g. between the fingers)
- tightness in the chest
- troubled breathing
- unexplained weight loss
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting
- wheezing
Other side effects of fluticasone topical
Some side effects of fluticasone topical 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 side effects
- body aches or pain
- change in hearing
- common cold
- diarrhea
- difficulty with breathing
- ear congestion
- ear drainage
- earache or pain in the ear
- headache
- loss of voice
- nasal congestion
- runny nose
Rare side effects
- burning, itching, and pain in hairy areas, or pus at the root of the hair
- stuffy nose
Incidence not known
- acne or pimples
- burning and itching of the skin with pinhead-sized red blisters
- increased hair growth on the forehead, back, arms, and legs
- lightening of normal skin color
- lightening of treated areas of dark skin
- reddish purple lines on the arms, face, legs, trunk, or groin
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For healthcare professionals
Applies to fluticasone topical: topical cream, topical kit, topical lotion, topical ointment.
General adverse events
The most commonly reported side effects were erythema, burning, and stinging.[Ref]
Endocrine
- Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression, Increased weight, obesity, delayed weight gain, growth retardation in children, cushingoid features (e.g. moon face, central obesity), decreased endogenous cortisol levels[Ref]
Nervous system
- Frequency not reported: Intracranial hypertension (including bulging fontanelles, headaches, bilateral papilledema)[Ref]
Dermatologic
- Common (1% to 10%): Erythematous rash, facial telangiectasia, non-facial telangiectasia, urticaria, pruritus
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Skin infection, infected eczema, impetigo, atopic dermatitis, eczema, skin irritation, folliculitis, blisters, dryness of skin, local skin burning
- Frequency not reported: Irritation, folliculitis, acneiform eruptions, hypopigmentation, perioral dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, secondary infection, skin atrophy, striae, hypertrichosis, miliaria, pustular psoriasis[Ref]
Cardiovascular
- Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hypertension[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
- Very rare (less than 0.01%): Osteoporosis[Ref]
Ocular
- Very rare (less than 0.01%): Cataract, glaucoma[Ref]
Immunologic
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Viral warts, herpes simplex
- Very rare (less than 0.01%): Opportunistic infections[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
- Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hypersensitivity[Ref]
Local
- Common (1% to 10 %): Erythema, burning, stinging[Ref]
References
1. (2001) "Product Information. Cutivate (fluticasone)." Glaxo Wellcome
2. (2001) "Product Information. Flonase (fluticasone)." Glaxo Wellcome
3. (2001) "Product Information. Flovent (fluticasone)." Glaxo Wellcome
4. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
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Further information
Fluticasone topical side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.