Two medicines, side by side
Fluocinolone vs clobetasol
Fluocinolone and clobetasol are both labeled for psoriasis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of fluocinolone since 1963 and of clobetasol since 1985. Pharmacies paid $0.171 per mL (Fluocinolone 0.01% scalp oil) and $0.126 per gram (Clobetasol 0.05% ointment) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the fluocinolone FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 26, 2023); the clobetasol FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 21, 2026).
Highlights of the fluocinolone record
Fluocinolone (Synalar) · label of February 26, 2023
Used for
From the label: indicationsFluocinolone acetonide topical oil, 0.01% is a low to medium potency corticosteroid indicated: In adult patients for the treatment of psoriasis of the scalp (scalp oil).
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 15, 1963
- Generic labelers
- 15 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.171 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 14
Highlights of the clobetasol record
Clobetasol (Temovate) · label of April 21, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsClobetasol Propionate Topical Solution, 0.05% is indicated for short-term topical treatment of inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of moderate to severe corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses of the scalp. Treatment beyond 2 consecutive weeks is not recommended, and the total dosage should not exceed 50 mL/week because of the potential for the drug to suppress the HPA axis. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 27, 1985
- Generic labelers
- 39 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.126 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 18
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Fluocinolone label of February 26, 2023, Clobetasol label of April 21, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do fluocinolone and clobetasol differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class corticosteroids.
Generics: fluocinolone since 1982; clobetasol since 1994 (Drugs@FDA).
| Fluocinolone | Clobetasol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Psoriasis, Eczema (atopic dermatitis) | Psoriasis, Pain |
| Pharmacologic class | Corticosteroid | Corticosteroid |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | February 15, 1963 | December 27, 1985 |
| First generic approved | April 27, 1982 | February 16, 1994 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 15 labelers | 39 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.171 per mL (Fluocinolone 0.01% scalp oil) | $0.126 per gram (Clobetasol 0.05% ointment) |
| 12-month price change | -0.9% | -23% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 14 | 18 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 3,748 | 10,472 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to fluocinolone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions