Flucinar

Drug name: Flucinar

Other names used:

• Derma-Smoothe/FS®
• Fluonid®
• Flurosyn®
• FS Shampoo®
• Synalar®
• Synalar-HP®
• Synemol Lidex®

Active Ingredients: fluocinolone acetonide

Therapeutic actions: This medicine contains the active ingredient fluocinolone acetonide, which is a type of medicine known as a corticosteroid (or steroid). Corticosteroids are hormones that are produced naturally by the adrenal glands, and have many important functions, including control of inflammatory responses. When applied to the skin it is absorbed into the skin cells. Here it works by preventing the release of certain chemicals from the cells. These chemicals are important in the immune system, and are released as a result of allergy or irritation. They cause blood vessels to widen, resulting in the affected area of skin becoming red, swollen, itchy and painful, such as is seen in dermatitis or eczema. By decreasing the release of these chemicals in the skin, fluocinolone reduces inflammation and relieves itch

Indications:
Flucinar is used to treat:

• An eruption of solid raised areas in the skin accompanied by intense itching (prurigo)
• Eczema
• Inflammation of the outer ear
• Inflammation or irritation of the skin caused by a reaction to irritants (contact dermatitis)
• Inflammatory skin condition with greasy, red and scaly areas (seborrhoeic dermatitis)
• Inflammatory skin disease known as discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE)
• Inflammatory skin disorders
• Psoriasis
• Skin disorder causing a flat, itchy, violet rash, usually on the wrists, shins, lower back and genitals (lichen planus)
• Thickened skin rash caused by excessive scratching to relieve itching (neurodermatitis)

Contraindications and cautions:
You should not use this medication in :

• Acne vulgaris
• Children less than 1 year of age
• Chronic inflammatory disorder of the facial skin (acne rosacea)
• Infections of the skin with viruses (eg Herpes simplex, chickenpox), fungi (eg thrush, ringworm, athlete's foot) or bacteria (eg impetigo)
• Inflammatory rash around the mouth (perioral dermatitis)
• Itching around the back passage and genitals
• Nappy rash
• Widespread plaque psoriasis
• This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
• This medicine should not be used during pregnancy
• This medicine should not be used during breastfeeding

Warning!

• Do not use the medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Topical steroid medicine can be absorbed through the skin, which may cause steroid side effects throughout the body.
• Do not cover treated skin areas with a bandage or other covering unless your doctor has told you to. Plastic film covering (such as plastic wrap) is sometimes used when treating psoriasis. Follow your doctor's instructions.
• If you are treating the diaper area of a baby, do not use plastic pants or tight-fitting diapers. Covering the skin that is treated with fluocinolone topical can increase the amount of medicine your skin absorbs, which may lead to unwanted side effects.
• Do not use this medication on a child without a doctor's advice. Children are more likely to absorb large amounts of a topical steroid through the skin.

Adverse effects: Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

• drying or cracking of the skin
• acne
• itching
• burning
• change in skin color

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• severe skin rash
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• wheezing
• skin infection (redness, swelling, or oozing pus)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions: It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.
Especially pay attention to cancer chemotherapy agents, other topical medications, and vitamins.

Additional Information: DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS PRODUCT, as well as syringes and needles, if needed during treatment, out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials.