What Is Fluocinonide Gel Used For?
People who have certain skin conditions may benefit from fluocinonide gel. Specific uses of this prescription medicine include relieving itching and inflammation caused by poison ivy, eczema, dermatitis, and various other skin problems. It is only approved for use in adults, as it has not been adequately studied in children. In some situations, fluocinonide gel may be used "off-label" to treat canker sores.
An Overview of Uses for Fluocinonide GelFluocinonide gel (Lidex®) is a prescription skin medication used to treat inflammation and itching due to a wide variety of conditions. Some of these conditions include but are not limited to:
Fluocinonide gel is approved to treat any skin condition that is responsive to corticosteroids. There are also other medications that have the same active ingredient as this gel. These other forms of fluocinonide include:
- Fluocinonide cream
- Fluocinonide emollient cream
- Fluocinonide ointment
- Fluocinonide topical solution.
In general, ointments and emollient creams are more moisturizing products than the gels and topical solutions.
How Does This Medicine Work?Fluocinonide gel is part of a group of medications known as glucocorticoids, which are a type of corticosteroid (or "steroid" for short). Although glucocorticoids have numerous effects in the body, they are used mostly for their anti-inflammatory or immune-suppressing properties. Fluocinonide gel works for most conditions by decreasing inflammation or suppressing an overactive immune system.