Top PLR Article Directory Saint Kitts and Nevis: fluticasone topical

Generic Name: fluticasone topical (floo TIK a sone TOP i kal)

Brand Names: Cutivate

What is fluticasone topical?

Fluticasone is a steroid. It reduces the actions of chemicals in the body that cause inflammation, redness, and swelling.

Fluticasone topical (for the skin) is used to treat the inflammation and itching caused by a number of skin conditions such as allergic reactions, eczema, and psoriasis.

Fluticasone topical should not be used to treat rosacea, severe acne, or viral skin infections such as chickenpox or herpes.

Fluticasone topical may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about fluticasone topical?

Topical steroid medicine can be absorbed through the skin, which may cause steroid side effects throughout the body. Do not use fluticasone topical in larger amounts, or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Do not apply to your face, underarms, or groin area unless your doctor tells you to.

Do not cover treated skin areas with a bandage or other covering unless your doctor has told you to. 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 fluticasone 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 medical advice. Children are more likely to absorb large amounts of a topical steroid through the skin. Steroid absorption in children may cause unwanted side effects, or a delay in growth with long-term use. Do not use fluticasone topical for longer than 2 weeks. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if you develop signs of a bacterial, fungal, or viral skin infection.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using fluticasone topical?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to fluticasone or formaldehyde.

To make sure you can safely use fluticasone topical, tell your doctor if you have any type of skin infection.

Also tell your doctor if you have diabetes. Steroid medicines may increase the glucose (sugar) levels in your blood or urine. You may also need to adjust the dose of your diabetes medications.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether fluticasone topical will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. It is not known whether fluticasone topical passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not use this medication on a child without medical advice. Children are more likely to absorb large amounts of a topical steroid through the skin. Steroid absorption in children may cause unwanted side effects, or a delay in growth with long-term use. Talk with your doctor if you think your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medication.

How should I use fluticasone topical?

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Topical steroid medicine can be absorbed through the skin, which may cause steroid side effects throughout the body.

Wash your hands before and after using fluticasone topical, unless you are using the medication to treat the skin on your hands.

Apply a small amount to the affected area and rub it gently into the skin. Do not apply the medication over a large area of skin, or use it long-term on the face. Do not use fluticasone topical on broken or infected skin. Also avoid using this medication in open wounds.

If you are treating your scalp, part the hair and apply the medicine directly to the scalp, rubbing in gently. Avoid washing or rubbing the treated scalp area right away. Wait until the medicine has dried thoroughly.

Do not cover treated skin areas with a bandage or other covering unless your doctor has told you to. 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 fluticasone topical can increase the amount of medicine your skin absorbs, which may lead to unwanted side effects. Do not use fluticasone topical for longer than 2 weeks without your doctor's advice. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if you develop signs of a bacterial, fungal, or viral skin infection.

If you use this medication long-term, your blood may need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using fluticasone topical. Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Do not freeze. Keep the tube or bottle tightly closed when not in use.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

An overdose of fluticasone topical is not expected to produce life threatening symptoms. However, long term use of high steroid doses can lead to symptoms such as thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.

What should I avoid while using fluticasone topical?

Do not use fluticasone topical to treat any skin condition that has not been checked by your doctor.

Do not use this medication to treat skin conditions around your mouth, rectum, or genital areas. Do not apply to your face, underarms, or groin area unless your doctor tells you to.

Avoid getting this medication in your eyes. If this does happen, rinse with water.

Avoid using other steroid medications on the areas you treat with fluticasone topical unless you doctor tells you to.

Fluticasone topical side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Although the risk of serious side effects is low when fluticasone topical is applied to the skin, side effects can occur if the medication is absorbed into your bloodstream.

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have signs of absorbing fluticasone topical through your skin, such as:

blurred vision, or seeing halos around lights;

headache, back ache, weakness, confusion, mood changes;

sleep problems (insomnia);

weight gain, puffiness in your face;

muscle weakness, feeling tired; or

high blood sugar (increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, weight loss).

Less serious side effects may include:

mild skin itching, burning, peeling, or dryness;

changes in color of treated skin;

thinning or softening of your skin;

skin rash or irritation around your mouth;

redness or crusting around your hair follicles;

blisters, pimples, or crusting of treated skin; or

stretch marks.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Fluticasone topical Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Dermatologic Lesion:

Cream: Apply a thin film to affected area twice daily.

Ointment: Apply sparingly in a thin film twice daily.

Usual Adult Dose for Atopic Dermatitis:

Cream: Apply a thin film to affected area once or twice daily.

Ointment: Apply sparingly in a thin film twice daily.

Lotion: Apply sparingly in a thin film to affected area once daily.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Dermatologic Lesion:

3 months to 12 years:
Cream: Apply a thin film to affected area twice daily. Safety and efficacy of use > 4 weeks has not been established.

13 years or older:
Ointment: Apply sparingly in a thin film to affected area twice daily

Usual Pediatric Dose for Atopic Dermatitis:

3 months to 11 months:
Cream: Apply a thin film to affected area twice daily. Safety and efficacy of use more than 4 weeks has not been established.

1 year to 11 years:
Lotion: Apply sparingly in a thin film to affected area once daily.

13 years or older:
Ointment: Apply sparingly in a thin film to affected area twice daily

What other drugs will affect fluticasone topical?

It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on topically applied fluticasone topical. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Compare fluticasone topical with other medications

Atopic Dermatitis
Dermatologic Lesion
Lichen Sclerosus

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about fluticasone topical.

Top PLR Article Directory Saint Kitts and Nevis

Thursday, May 31, 2012

fluticasone topical