Vanos

Fluocinonide is a strong steroid that stops the body from releasing substances that lead to inflammation.

Vanos (for the skin) is used to treat inflammation and itching caused by plaque psoriasis or skin conditions that respond to steroid medication.

Vanos may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all instructions on your medicine label and package. Inform each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you are using.

You should not use Vanos if you are allergic to it.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• any type of skin infection;
• a skin reaction to any steroid medicine;
• liver disease; or
• an adrenal gland disorder.

Steroid medicines can increase the glucose (sugar) levels in your blood or urine. Tell your doctor if you have diabetes.

It is not known whether Vanos will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk. If you apply fluocinonide to your chest, avoid areas that may come into contact with the baby's mouth.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice. Some brands or forms of this medicine are not approved for use by anyone younger than 12 years old.

Children can absorb larger amounts of this medicine through the skin and may be more likely to have side effects.

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

Vanos may cause serious side effects. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:

• redness, warmth, swelling, oozing, or severe irritation of any skin you treated;
• worsening of your skin condition; or
• possible signs of Vanos being absorbed through your skin—weight gain (especially in your face or upper back and torso), slow healing of wounds, thinning or discolored skin, increased body hair, muscle weakness, nausea, diarrhea, tiredness, mood changes, menstrual changes, sexual changes.

Steroid medicine can affect growth in children. Inform your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medicine.

Common side effects of Vanos may include:

• burning, stinging, itching, or dryness of treated skin;
• redness or crusting around your hair follicles;
• stretch marks;
• spider veins;
• acne;
• lightened color of treated skin;
• headache; or
• stuffy nose, sore throat.

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 the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Do not take by mouth. Topical medicine is for use only on the skin. Do not use on open wounds or on sunburned, windburned, dry, or irritated skin. Rinse with water if this medicine gets in your eyes or mouth.

Wash your hands before and after using fluocinonide, unless you are using this medicine to treat the skin on your hands.

Apply a thin layer of medicine to the affected skin and rub it in gently. Do not apply this medicine over a large area of skin unless your doctor has told you to.

Do not cover the treated skin area with a bandage or other covering unless your doctor tells you to. Covering treated areas can increase the amount of medicine absorbed through your skin and may cause harmful effects.

If you are treating the diaper area, do not use plastic pants or tight-fitting diapers.

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.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 2 weeks of treatment, or if they get worse.

If you need surgery, tell your surgeon you currently use this medicine.

You should not stop using fluocinonide suddenly. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze.

Apply the medicine as soon as you can, but if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not apply two doses at the same time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medication.

High doses or long-term use of Vanos can lead to thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.

Do not get Vanos in your eyes. If contact does occur, rinse with water.

Avoid applying this medicine to your face, scalp, underarms, or groin area.

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

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

Medicine used on the skin is not likely to be affected by other drugs you use. However, many drugs can interact with each other. Inform each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you are using, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.