fluocinonide 0.0005 MG/MG Topical Gel

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Fluocinonide cream USP, 0.1%is a corticosteroid indicated for the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid responsive dermatoses in patients 12 years of age or older. ( 1 ) Limitation of Use: • Treatment beyond 2 consecutive weeks is not recommended and the total dosage should not exceed 60 g per week because of the potential for the drug to suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. ( 1 ) • Avoid use on the face, groin, or axillae. ( 1.2 ) • Avoid use in perioral dermatitis or rosacea. 1.1 Indication Fluocinonide cream USP, 0.1% is indicated for the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid responsive dermatoses in patients 12 years of age or older [ see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4 ) ]. 1.2 Limitation of Use Treatment beyond 2 consecutive weeks is not recommended and the total dosage should not exceed 60 g per week because the safety of fluocinonide cream USP, 0.1% for longer than 2 weeks has not been established and because of the potential for the drug to suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Therapy should be discontinued when control of the disease is achieved. If no improvement is seen within 2 weeks, reassessment of the diagnosis may be necessary. Do not use more than half of the 120 g tube per week. Fluocinonide cream USP, 0.1% should not be used in the treatment of rosacea or perioral dermatitis, and should not be used on the face, groin, or axillae.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION For topical use only. Fluocinonide cream USP, 0.1% is not for ophthalmic, oral, or intravaginal use. For psoriasis, apply a thin layer of fluocinonide cream USP, 0.1% once or twice daily to the affected skin areas as directed by a physician. Twice daily application for the treatment of psoriasis has been shown to be more effective in achieving treatment success during 2 weeks of treatment. For atopic dermatitis, apply a thin layer of fluocinonide cream USP, 0.1% once daily to the affected skin areas as directed by a physician. Once daily application for the treatment of atopic dermatitis has been shown to be as effective as twice daily treatment in achieving treatment success during 2 weeks of treatment [ see Clinical Studies (14) ] . For corticosteroid responsive dermatoses, other than psoriasis or atopic dermatitis, apply a thin layer of fluocinonide cream USP, 0.1% once or twice daily to the affected areas as directed by a physician. For topical use only. Fluocinonide cream USP, 0.1% is not for ophthalmic, oral, or intravaginal use. ( 2 ) Psoriasis: apply a thin layer once or twice daily to the affected skin areas. ( 2 ) Atopic Dermatitis: apply a thin layer once daily to the affected skin areas. ( 2 ) Corticosteroid Responsive Dermatoses, other than psoriasis or atopic dermatitis: apply a thin layer once or twice daily to the affected areas. ( 2 )

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Fluocinonide cream USP, 0.1% has been shown to suppress the HPA axis. Systemic absorption of fluocinonide cream USP, 0.1% may produce reversible hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal (HPA) axis suppression, Cushing's syndrome, hyperglycemia and unmask latent diabetes ( 5.1 ) Systemic absorption may require evaluation for HPA axis suppression ( 5.1 ) Modify use should HPA axis suppression develop ( 5.1 ) Potent corticosteroids, use on large areas, prolonged use or occlusive use may increase systemic absorption ( 5.3 ) Local adverse reactions with topical steroids may include atrophy, striae, irritation, acneiform eruptions, hypopigmentation and allergic contact dermatitis and may be more likely to occur with occlusive use or more potent corticosteroids ( 5.3 ) Children may be more susceptible to systemic toxicity when treated with topical corticosteroids. ( 5.1 , 8.4 ) 5.1 Effect on Endocrine System Systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids, including fluocinonide cream USP, 0.1%, can produce reversible hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression with the potential for clinical glucocorticosteroid insufficiency. This may occur during treatment or upon withdrawal of the topical corticosteroid. In addition, the use of fluocinonide cream USP, 0.1% for longer than 2 weeks may suppress the immune system [ see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1) ]. HPA axis suppression has been observed with fluocinonide cream USP, 0.1% applied once or twice daily in 2 out of 18 adult patients with plaque-type psoriasis, 1 out of 31 adult patients with atopic dermatitis and 4 out of 123 pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis [ see Use in Specific Population (8.4) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ]. Because of the potential for systemic absorption, use of topical corticosteroids, including fluocinonide cream USP, 0.1%, may require that patients be periodically evaluated for HPA axis suppression. Factors that predispose a patient using a topical corticosteroid to HPA axis suppression include the use of more potent steroids, use over large surface areas, use over prolonged periods, use under occlusion, use on an altered skin barrier, and use in patients with liver failure. An ACTH stimulation test may be helpful in evaluating patients for HPA axis suppression. If HPA axis suppression is documented, an attempt should be made to gradually withdraw the drug, to reduce the frequency of application, or to substitute a less potent steroid. Manifestations of adrenal insufficiency may require supplemental systemic corticosteroids. Recovery of HPA axis function is generally prompt and complete upon discontinuation of topical corticosteroids. Cushing's syndrome, hyperglycemia, and unmasking of latent diabetes mellitus can also result from systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids. Use of more than one corticosteroid-containing product at the same time may increase the total systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids. Studies conducted in pediatric patients demonstrated reversible HPA axis suppression after use of fluocinonide cream USP, 0.1%. Pediatric patients may be more susceptible than adults to systemic toxicity from equivalent doses of fluocinonide cream USP, 0.1% due to their larger skin surface-to-body-mass ratios [ See Use in Specific Populations (8.4) ]. 5.2 Local Adverse Reactions with Topical Corticosteroids Local adverse reactions may be more likely to occur with occlusive use, prolonged use or use of higher potency corticosteroids. Reactions may include atrophy, striae, telangiectasis, burning, itching, irritation, dryness, folliculitis, acneiform eruptions, hypopigmentation, perioral dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, secondary infection, and miliaria. Some local adverse reactions may be irreversible. 5.3 Concomitant Skin Infections If concomitant skin infections are present or develop, an appropriate antifungal or antibacterial agent should be used. If a favorable response does not occur promptly, use of fluocinonide cream USP, 0.1% should be discontinued until the infection has been adequately controlled. 5.4 Allergic Contact Dermatitis If irritation develops, fluocinonide cream USP, 0.1% should be discontinued and appropriate therapy instituted. Allergic contact dermatitis with corticosteroids is usually diagnosed by observing failure to heal rather than noting a clinical exacerbation as with most topical products not containing corticosteroids. Such an observation should be corroborated with appropriate diagnostic patch testing.

CONTRAINDICATIONS Fluocinonide Cream, USP 0.05% is contraindicated in those patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any of the components of the preparation.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Topical corticosteroids share anti-inflammatory, anti-pruritic and vasoconstrictive actions. The mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity of the topical corticosteroids is unclear. Various laboratory methods, including vasoconstrictor assays, are used to compare and predict potencies and/or clinical efficacies of the topical corticosteroids. There is some evidence to suggest that a recognizable correlation exists between vasoconstrictor potency and therapeutic efficacy in man. Pharmacokinetics The extent of percutaneous absorption of topical corticosteroids is determined by many factors including the vehicle, the integrity of the epidermal barrier, and the use of occlusive dressings. A significantly greater amount of fluocinonide is absorbed from the solution than from the cream or gel formulations. Topical corticosteroids can be absorbed from normal intact skin. Inflammation and/or other disease processes in the skin increase percutaneous absorption. Occlusive dressings substantially increase the percutaneous absorption of topical corticosteroids. Thus, occlusive dressings may be a valuable therapeutic adjunct for treatment of resistant dermatoses. (See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION .) Once absorbed through the skin, topical corticosteroids are handled through pharmacokinetic pathways similar to systemically administered corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are bound to plasma proteins in varying degrees. Corticosteroids are metabolized primarily in the liver and are then excreted by the kidneys. Some of the topical corticosteroids and their metabolites are also excreted into the bile.