Two medicines, side by side
Fluocinolone vs hydrocortisone
Fluocinolone and hydrocortisone are both labeled for eczema (atopic dermatitis). Drugs@FDA records approvals of fluocinolone since 1963 and of hydrocortisone since 1951. Pharmacies paid $0.171 per mL (Fluocinolone 0.01% scalp oil) and $0.0613 per gram (Hydrocortisone 1% cream) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Hydrocortisone's other strengths are brand-only: $51.43 per Solu-cortef 250 mg act-o-vial.
Check it at the source: the fluocinolone FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 26, 2023); the hydrocortisone FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 19, 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 hydrocortisone record
Hydrocortisone (Solu-Cortef) · label of August 19, 2026
Used for
From the label: indications• temporarily relieves itching associated with minor skin irritations, inflammation, and rashes due to: • eczema • psoriasis • poison ivy, oak, sumac • insect bites • detergents • jewelry • seborrheic dermatitis • cosmetics • soaps • temporarily relieves external anal and genital itching • other uses of this product should only be under the advice and supervision of a doctor
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 21, 1951
- Generic labelers
- 49 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0613 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 7
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Fluocinolone label of February 26, 2023, Hydrocortisone label of August 19, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do fluocinolone and hydrocortisone differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class corticosteroids.
Generics: fluocinolone since 1982; hydrocortisone since 1971 (Drugs@FDA).
| Fluocinolone | Hydrocortisone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Psoriasis, Eczema (atopic dermatitis) | Osteoarthritis, Asthma, Allergies, Herpes and shingles, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, Eczema (atopic dermatitis) |
| 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 21, 1951 |
| First generic approved | April 27, 1982 | December 22, 1971 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 15 labelers | 49 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.171 per mL (Fluocinolone 0.01% scalp oil) | $0.0613 per gram (Hydrocortisone 1% cream) |
| 12-month price change | -0.9% | +1% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 14 | 7 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 3,748 | 97,782 |
| 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