What is the recommended dosing for fluocinolone (fluocinolone acetonide) oil?

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Fluocinolone Acetonide Oil Dosing

For scalp psoriasis in adults, apply a thin film of fluocinolone acetonide 0.01% topical oil to wet or dampened hair and scalp, massage well, cover with a shower cap, and leave on overnight or for a minimum of 4 hours before washing off with regular shampoo. 1

Scalp Psoriasis (Adults)

  • Application frequency: Once daily (overnight or minimum 4 hours) 1
  • Preparation: Wet or dampen hair and scalp thoroughly before application 1
  • Technique: Apply thin film to scalp, massage well, cover with shower cap 1
  • Removal: Wash hair with regular shampoo and rinse thoroughly 1

Atopic Dermatitis (Children and Infants)

For atopic dermatitis in children aged 3 months and older, apply fluocinolone acetonide 0.01% oil twice daily to affected areas. 2, 3

  • Dosing frequency: Twice daily application 2, 3
  • Age range: Safe and effective in children as young as 3 months of age 3
  • Treatment duration: Typically 2-4 weeks, with 81-87% of patients showing ≥50% improvement within 2 weeks 2
  • Body surface area: Can be safely applied to extensive areas (mean 48% body surface area in infants without adrenal suppression) 3

Safety Profile in Children

  • No adrenal suppression occurred after 4 weeks of twice-daily treatment in children aged 2-12 years 2 or in infants as young as 3 months 3
  • Peanut allergy: Safe to use even in peanut-sensitive patients, as the refined peanut oil contains <0.5 parts per million amino acids 1, 2
  • Local adverse effects: Minimal risk of skin atrophy or telangiectasia with appropriate use 1, 2

Otic Eczema

For otic eczema, apply fluocinolone acetonide 0.025% otic solution twice daily for 7 days. 4

  • Dosing: Twice daily for 7 days 4
  • Efficacy: Significant reduction in itching and otoscopic signs (erythema, edema, scaling) compared to placebo 4

Important Precautions

  • Avoid occlusive dressings on areas other than the scalp, as this increases systemic absorption and risk of HPA axis suppression 1
  • Facial application: Use with caution; a post-marketing study in children applying to the face twice daily for 4 weeks showed 25.9% experienced adverse events, primarily mild telangiectasia (8.6%) and erythema (5.2%) 1
  • Duration limits: For non-scalp applications, limit treatment duration to minimize risk of systemic effects, particularly in children with larger skin surface-to-body mass ratios 1
  • Monitoring: Watch for signs of adrenal suppression in children (linear growth retardation, delayed weight gain, low plasma cortisol) if used extensively or for prolonged periods 1

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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