Skip to main content
Print Save

Fluticasone topical Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 7, 2023.

Applies to fluticasone topical: topical application cream, topical application lotion, topical application ointment.

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

  • Dry skin

Less common

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to fluticasone topical: topical cream, topical kit, topical lotion, topical ointment.

Local

Common (1% to 10 %): Erythema, burning, 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]

General

The most commonly reported side effects were erythema, burning, and stinging.[Ref]

References

1. Product Information. Cutivate (fluticasone). Glaxo Wellcome. 2001.

2. Product Information. Flonase (fluticasone). Glaxo Wellcome. 2001.

3. Product Information. Flovent (fluticasone). Glaxo Wellcome. 2001.

4. Cerner Multum, Inc. UK Summary of Product Characteristics.

Further information

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

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer