Prescription medication · Topical Corticosteroid

fluocinolone

Also sold as Synalar, Derma-Smoothe. This medicine treats skin problems that cause swelling and itching.

Data updated 2026-05-15

1
Recall record

fluocinolone (Synalar) is a prescription Topical Corticosteroid. This medicine treats skin problems that cause swelling and itching.

Fluocinolone is a topical steroid medicine. It helps reduce swelling, itching, and redness of the skin.

Drug Pricing (NADAC)

Generic Price

$0.16/unit

Generic Available

Yes (23 manufacturers)

Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →

NADAC price trail: FLUOCINOLONE 0.01% BODY OIL

Same CMS presentation as the headline generic unit price above (3 effective dates). Adjacent % compares consecutive NADAC releases for this description only, not a patient out-of-pocket quote. Latest step: +5.4% vs prior release.

15¢15.5¢16¢16.5¢17¢17.5¢ 2024-042024-072024-12 16¢
Effective NADAC / unit vs prior NDCs
April 17, 2024 $0.1709/ML - 1
July 17, 2024 $0.1513/ML -11.4% 1
December 18, 2024 $0.1595/ML +5.4% 4
View Alternatives → Compare with Another Drug →

What it does

This medicine treats skin problems that cause swelling and itching.

Common side effects

Burning, Itching, Irritation

Key warnings

If you get an infection, stop using bandages and talk to your doctor about treatment.

The sections below are summarized in plain English from fluocinolone's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.

How It Works

Fluocinolone is a corticosteroid. It works by reducing inflammation. This helps to relieve itching and other skin problems.

Serious Warnings

If you get an infection, stop using bandages and talk to your doctor about treatment.

Common Questions

What is fluocinolone used for?
It is used to relieve skin swelling, itching, and redness.
How often should I apply it?
Apply a thin layer to the affected area two to four times a day, or as your doctor tells you.
Can I use a bandage with this medicine?
Yes, you can use a bandage if your doctor tells you to.
What should I do if I get an infection?
Stop using bandages and talk to your doctor right away.
Can I use this medicine if I am pregnant?
Talk to your doctor before using if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
How should I store this medicine?
Store it at room temperature, away from heat and freezing temperatures.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
Apply it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.
Can this medicine cause side effects?
Yes, some common side effects are burning, itching, irritation, and dryness.
Who should not use this medicine?
You should not take this if you are allergic to any of the ingredients.
What does this medicine contain?
Each mL contains 0.1 mg of Fluocinolone Acetonide.
What are the common side effects of fluocinolone?
The registry lists Burning, Itching, Irritation, Dryness among the most-reported FAERS reaction terms for fluocinolone. These counts are not an individual symptom assessment.
What drug class is fluocinolone?
fluocinolone belongs to the Topical Corticosteroid drug class. It requires a prescription (Rx). This medicine treats skin problems that cause swelling and itching.
What pregnancy or breastfeeding source fields are listed for fluocinolone?
The FDA label for fluocinolone contains product-specific pregnancy or breastfeeding language. PlainMeds does not apply that source text to an individual.
Has fluocinolone been recalled?
There is 1 recall associated with fluocinolone products. Failed Impurities/Degradation Specifications: Out of specification result was obtained for the known impurity D. Check the recalls section below for full details and affected products.

Active Recalls

Class III December 30, 2025

Failed Impurities/Degradation Specifications: Out of specification result was obtained for the known impurity D.

SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES INC

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What the FDA Data Shows for fluocinolone

The FDA label for fluocinolone (sold under brand names such as Synalar, Derma-Smoothe) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Topical Corticosteroid class. This medicine treats skin problems that cause swelling and itching. Official labeling lists 4 commonly reported side effects, including Burning, Itching, Irritation.

Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. Voluntary reports accumulate over the lifetime of a drug and reflect wide-ranging clinical use. Interaction data is drawn directly from FDA-approved prescribing information. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.16.

Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history (currently 1 recall record on file), and patent information are separate source-record fields. This page is a public FDA/CMS registry and does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions.

Data Sources

Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).

FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. This registry does not provide medication decisions.

Last updated: July 3, 2025

PlainMeds is rendered directly from FDA openFDA/FAERS extracts, DailyMed labels, and CMS drug-pricing files, no number is typed in by an editor. FAERS counts, recalls, shortages, and price figures on this page are queried live from those federal extracts. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-05-15. Primary sources: openFDA / FAERS, DailyMed and CMS Part B ASP.

Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled from the source snapshot dated . See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a data issue.

All federal data sources used on this page