Fluocinonide

Fluocinonide (sold under various trade names) is a potent glucocorticoid used topically as an anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of skin disorders such as eczema and seborrhoeic dermatitis. It relieves itching, redness, dryness, crusting, scaling, inflammation, and discomfort.

Fluocinonide

Clinical data
Trade names	Fluonex, Lidex, Lidex-E, Lonide, Lyderm, Metosyn and Vanos)[1]
AHFS/Drugs.com	Micromedex Detailed Consumer Information
MedlinePlus	a601054
Pregnancy category	C
Routes of administration	topical
ATC code	C05AA11 (WHO) D07AC08 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status	AU: S4 (Prescription only) UK: POM (Prescription only) US: ℞-only
Pharmacokinetic data
Metabolism	hepatic
Identifiers
IUPAC name 6α,9-difluoro-11β,16α,17,21-tetrahydroxypregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione, cyclic 16,17-acetal with acetone,21-acetate
CAS Number	356-12-7 Y
PubChem CID	9642
IUPHAR/BPS	7078
DrugBank	DB01047 Y
ChemSpider	9265 Y
UNII	2W4A77YPAN
KEGG	D00325 Y
ChEMBL	ChEMBL1501 Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID8045307
ECHA InfoCard	100.005.998
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C26H32F2O7
Molar mass	494.532 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
SMILES O=C(OCC(=O)[C@]45OC(O[C@@H]5C[C@@H]2[C@@]4(C[C@H](O)[C@]3(F)[C@]/1(/C=C\C(=O)\C=C\1[C@@H](F)C[C@@H]23)C)C)(C)C)C
InChI InChI=1S/C26H32F2O7/c1-13(29)33-12-20(32)26-21(34-22(2,3)35-26)10-15-16-9-18(27)17-8-14(30)6-7-23(17,4)25(16,28)19(31)11-24(15,26)5/h6-8,15-16,18-19,21,31H,9-12H2,1-5H3/t15-,16-,18-,19-,21+,23-,24-,25-,26+/m0/s1 Y Key:WJOHZNCJWYWUJD-IUGZLZTKSA-N Y
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The usual prescription concentration is 0.05% as a topical cream, ointment, solution, or gel. The application area should normally not be covered after application. In certain cases, the physician may recommend the use of an occlusive dressing after application to increase the rate and depth of absorption. The frequency of application depends on the condition being treated and the area affected, but most often it should be applied 2 to 4 times a day.[2]

Fluocinonide ranks as a "high-potency" (second-highest rank) topical corticosteroid. Minimal amounts should be used for a minimal length of time to avoid the occurrence of adverse effects.

Fluocinonide should not be used if infection is present. It should not be applied to the eyes or to sensitive areas such as the genitals or anus.

A common potential adverse effect is skin atrophy (thinning of the skin). Systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids can produce reversible hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) suppression, manifestations of Cushing's syndrome, hyperglycemia, and glucosuria in some patients.

Fluocinonide should be used with caution when treating children, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and anyone using the medication for longer than two weeks.

Fluocinonide is used in veterinary medicine. It is a treatment for allergies in dogs.[3] Natural systemic cortisol concentrations can be suppressed for weeks after one week of topical exposure.[4]