fludroxycortide at a glance
Medicine class
Potent fluorinated topical corticosteroid
Available forms
Cream and medicated occlusive tape
Formulation choice
Cream suits moist or weeping lesions; tape is intended for persistent, localised, especially dry and scaly lesions.
Key precaution
Avoid the eyes, untreated infection and new body areas unless directed by the prescriber.
What is fludroxycortide used for?
These products treat inflammatory skin disorders that respond to topical corticosteroids.
Cream: eczema and dermatitis, including atopic, irritant, allergic and light-related dermatitis.
Cream: certain other inflammatory disorders, including lichen planus, prurigo nodularis and discoid lupus erythematosus.
Tape: adjunctive treatment of persistent, localised, difficult-to-treat dermatoses, particularly dry and scaling lesions.
How does fludroxycortide work?
Fludroxycortide activates corticosteroid pathways in skin cells, reducing inflammatory activity and helping relieve redness, swelling and itching.
fludroxycortide preparations and strengths
Cream
Route: Cutaneous
Strengths: 0.0125% w/w
How to take fludroxycortide
Use only on the skin and area identified by the prescriber. Keep it away from the eyes and mouth.
Apply cream gently; dilution is not normally recommended.
Before applying tape, ensure the skin is clean, dry and free of hair as directed.
Cut the tape with clean scissors, round its corners and cover the lesion with only a small margin of unaffected skin.
Do not stretch the skin when applying tape. Do not add another occlusive covering unless specifically directed.
Cream contains paraffin: keep treated skin, clothing, bedding and dressings away from smoking and naked flames.
fludroxycortide side effects
Common or expected effects
- Application-site burning, itching, irritation or dryness
- Inflammation around hair follicles or acne-like spots
- Changes in skin colour or increased hair growth
- Skin thinning, stretch marks or visible small blood vessels
- Contact dermatitis
Get urgent medical advice
- Breathing difficulty or swelling suggesting a severe allergic reaction
- Spreading, painful, oozing or worsening skin that may indicate infection or a severe withdrawal reaction
- Unusual weight gain, rounded facial appearance, weakness or menstrual changes after extensive or prolonged exposure
- Severe headache or swelling in a child
fludroxycortide in pregnancy
Topical corticosteroids have no known pregnancy risks when used appropriately, but product information is more cautious for fludroxycortide. Ask the prescriber to review treatment during pregnancy or when planning pregnancy.
fludroxycortide while breastfeeding
Information during breastfeeding is limited. Prevent the baby from touching treated skin. Do not apply it to the breast or nipple unless specifically directed, and wash off any preparation there before feeding.
fludroxycortide interactions
No specific medicine interactions are established. Tell the prescriber or pharmacist about other skin treatments and medicines.
Common questions about fludroxycortide
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is fludroxycortide a strong steroid?
Yes. It is classified as a potent topical corticosteroid.
What is the difference between the cream and tape?
Cream suits a broad range of inflammatory disorders, particularly moist or weeping lesions. Tape adds an occlusive covering for persistent, localised, especially dry and scaly lesions.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.