Fluocinonide

1 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.

2 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 )

5 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 …

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. None ( 4 )

8.1 Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects: Pregnancy Category C There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Therefore, fluocinonide cream USP, 0.1% should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Corticosteroids have been shown to be teratogenic in laboratory animals when administered systemically at relatively low dosage levels. Some corticosteroids have been shown to be teratogenic after dermal application in laboratory animals.

8.3 Nursing Mothers Systemically administered corticosteroids appear in human milk and could suppress growth, interfere with endogenous corticosteroid production, or cause other untoward effects. It is not known whether topical administration of corticosteroids could result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable quantities in breast milk. Nevertheless, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The most commonly reported adverse reactions (≥1%) were headache, application site burning, nasopharyngitis, and nasal congestion. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Taro Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc., at 1-866-923-4914 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. In clinical trials, a total of 443 adult subjects with atopic dermatitis or plaque-type psoriasis were treated once daily or twice daily with fluocinonide cream USP, 0.1% for 2 weeks. The most commonly observed adverse reactions in these clinical trials were as follows: Table 1: Most Commonly Observed Adverse Reactions (≥1%) in Adult Clinical Trials Adverse Reaction Fluocinonide Cream USP, 0.1%, once daily (n=216) Fluocinonide Cream USP, 0.1%, twice daily (n=227) Vehicle Cream, once or twice daily (n=211) Headache 8 (3.7%) 9 (4.0%) 6 (2.8%) Application Site Burning 5 (2.3%) 4 (1.8%) 14 (6.6%) Nasopharyngitis 2 (0.9%) 3 (1.3%) 3 (1.4%) Nasal Congestion 3 (1.4%) 1 (0.4%) 0 Safety in patients 12 to 17 years of age was similar to that observed in adults. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of fluocinonide cream USP, 0.1%: Administration Site Conditions: discoloration, erythema, irritation, pruritus, swelling, pain and condition aggravated. Immune System Disorders: hypersensitivity. Nervous System Disorders: headache and dizziness. Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: acne, dry skin, rash, skin exfoliation and skin tightness. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.