Adult Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Fluocinolone acetonide topical oil, 0.01% is indicated for the topical treatment of atopic dermatitis in adult patients.

Pediatric Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Fluocinolone acetonide topical oil, 0.01% is indicated for the topical treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in pediatric patients, 3 months and older for up to 4 weeks. Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients younger than 3 months of age have not been established.

Limitations of Use

Apply the least amount of fluocinolone acetonide topical oil, 0.01% needed to cover the affected areas. As with other corticosteroids, fluocinolone acetonide topical oil, 0.01% should be discontinued when control of disease is achieved. Contact the physician if no improvement is seen within 2 weeks.

Fluocinolone acetonide topical oil, 0.01% should not be applied to the diaper area; diapers or plastic pants may constitute occlusive use.

Fluocinolone acetonide topical oil, 0.01% should not be used on the face, axillae, or groin unless directed by the physician. Application to intertriginous areas should be avoided due to the increased risk of local adverse reactions. [see  Adverse Reactions (6) and Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].

Adult Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Apply fluocinolone acetonide topical oil, 0.01% as a thin film to the affected areas three times daily.

Pediatric Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Moisten skin and apply fluocinolone acetonide topical oil, 0.01% as a thin film to the affected areas twice daily for up to four weeks.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category C: Corticosteroids have been shown to be teratogenic in laboratory animals when administered systemically at relatively low dosage levels. Some corticosteroids have been shown to be teratogenic after dermal application in laboratory animals.

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women on teratogenic effects from fluocinolone acetonide topical oil, 0.01%. Therefore, fluocinolone acetonide topical oil, 0.01% should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Nursing Mothers

Systemically administered corticosteroids appear in human milk and could suppress growth, interfere with endogenous corticosteroid production, or cause other untoward effects. It is not known whether topical administration of corticosteroids could result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable quantities in human milk.

Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when fluocinolone acetonide topical oil, 0.01% is administered to a nursing woman.

Pediatric Use

8.4.1 Systemic Adverse Reactions in Pediatric Patients

HPA axis suppression, Cushing's syndrome, and intracranial hypertension have been reported in children receiving topical corticosteroids. Manifestations of adrenal suppression in children include linear growth retardation, delayed weight gain, low plasma cortisol levels, and subnormal response to ACTH stimulation. Manifestations of intracranial hypertension include bulging fontanelles, headaches, and bilateral papilledema.

Because of a higher ratio of skin surface area to body mass, children are at a greater risk for systemic adverse reactions than are adults when treated with topical corticosteroids. [See  Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]

8.4.2 Evaluation in Peanut-Sensitive Pediatric Subjects

A clinical study was conducted to assess the safety of fluocinolone acetonide topical oil, 0.01%, which contains refined peanut oil, on subjects with known peanut allergies. The study enrolled 13 subjects with atopic dermatitis, 6 to 17 years of age. Of the 13 subjects, 9 were Radioallergosorbent Test (RAST) positive to peanuts and 4 had no peanut sensitivity (controls). The study evaluated the subjects responses to both prick test and patch test utilizing peanut oil NF, fluocinolone acetonide topical oil, 0.01% and histamine/saline controls. Subjects were also treated with fluocinolone acetonide topical oil, 0.01% twice daily for 7 days. Prick test and patch test results for all 13 patients were negative to fluocinolone acetonide topical oil, 0.01% and the refined peanut oil. One of the 9 peanut-sensitive patients experienced an exacerbation of atopic dermatitis after 5 days of fluocinolone acetonide topical oil, 0.01% use. The bulk peanut oil NF, used in fluocinolone acetonide topical oil, 0.01% is heated at 475°F for at least 15 minutes, which should provide for adequate  decomposition of allergenic proteins. [See  Description (11)]

8.4.3 Evaluation in Pediatric Subjects 2 to 6 years old

Open-label safety studies were conducted on 33 children (20 subjects ages 2 to 6 years, 13 subjects ages 7 to 12 years) with moderate to severe stable atopic dermatitis. Subjects were treated with fluocinolone acetonide topical oil, 0.01% twice daily for 4 weeks. Baseline body surface area involvement was 50% to 75% in 15 subjects and greater than 75% in 18 subjects. Morning pre- stimulation cortisol and post-ACTH stimulation cortisol levels were obtained in each subject at the beginning of the trial and at the end of 4 weeks of treatment. At the end of treatment, 4 out of 18 subjects aged 2 to 5 years showed low pre-stimulation cortisol levels (3.2 to 6.6 µg/dL; normal: cortisol > 7µg/dL) but all had normal responses to 0.25 mg of ACTH stimulation (cortisol > 18 µg/dL).

8.4.4 Evaluation in Pediatric Subjects 3 months to 2 years old

An open-label safety study was conducted in 29 children (7 subjects ages 3 to 6 months, 7 subjects ages > 6 to 12 months and 15 subjects ages > 12 months to 2 years of age) to assess the HPA axis by ACTH stimulation testing following use of fluocinolone acetonide topical oil, 0.01% twice daily for 4 weeks. All subjects had moderate to severe atopic dermatitis with disease involvement on at least 20% body surface area. Baseline body surface area involvement was 50% to 75% in 11 subjects and greater than 75% in 7 subjects. Morning pre-stimulation and post-ACTH stimulation cortisol levels were obtained in each subject at the beginning of the trial and at the end of 4 weeks of treatment. All subjects had normal responses to 0.125 mg of ACTH stimulation (cortisol > 18 µg/dL).

Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Suppression

Systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids can produce reversible hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression with the potential for glucocorticosteroid insufficiency. Cushing's syndrome, hyperglycemia, and glucosuria can also be produced by systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids.

Because of the potential for systemic absorption, use of topical corticosteroids may require that patients be periodically evaluated for HPA axis suppression. The ACTH stimulation test may be helpful in evaluating patients for HPA axis suppression.

If HPA axis suppression is documented, an attempt should be made to withdraw the drug, to reduce the frequency of application, or to substitute a less potent corticosteroid. Recovery of HPA axis function is generally prompt upon discontinuation of topical corticosteroids.

Conditions which increase systemic absorption include the use of more potent corticosteroids, use over large surface areas, use over prolonged periods, and use of occlusive dressings. Manifestations of adrenal insufficiency may require supplemental systemic corticosteroids.

Children may be more susceptible to systemic toxicity from equivalent doses due to their larger skin surface to body mass ratios. [See Use in Specific Populations (8.4)]

Local Adverse Reactions with Topical Corticosteroids

Local adverse reactions may occur with use of topical corticosteroids and may be more likely to occur with occlusive use, prolonged use or use of higher potency corticosteroids. Some local adverse reactions may be irreversible. Reactions may include atrophy, striae, telangiectasias, burning, itching, irritation, dryness, folliculitis, acneiform eruptions, hypopigmentation, perioral dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, secondary infection, and miliaria. [See  Adverse Reactions (6.1)]

Allergic Contact Dermatitis with Topical Corticosteroids

Allergic contact dermatitis to any component of topical corticosteroids is usually diagnosed by a failure to heal rather than a clinical exacerbation. Clinical diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis can be confirmed by patch testing.

Concomitant Skin Infections

Concomitant skin infections should be treated with an appropriate antimicrobial agent. If the infection persists unchanged, fluocinolone acetonide topical oil, 0.01% should be discontinued until the infection has been adequately treated.

Use in Peanut-Sensitive Individuals

Physicians should use caution in prescribing fluocinolone acetonide topical oil, 0.01% for peanut-sensitive individuals. [See  Description (11)]

Should signs of hypersensitivity present (wheal and flare reactions, pruritus, or other manifestations), or should disease exacerbations occur, fluocinolone acetonide topical oil, 0.01% should be discontinued immediately and appropriate therapy instituted.

Clinical Studies Experience: Evaluation of Facial Use in Pediatric Subjects

An open-label study was conducted in 58 children with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (2 to 12 years old) to evaluate the safety of fluocinolone acetonide topical oil, 0.01% when applied to the face twice daily for 4 weeks. The following adverse reactions were reported:

Clinical Studies Experience: Evaluation in Pediatric Subjects 3 months to 2 years old

An open-label safety study was conducted in 29 children to assess the HPA axis by ACTH stimulation testing following use of fluocinolone acetonide topical oil, 0.01% twice daily for 4 weeks. The following adverse reactions were reported in the  study [See  Use in Specific Populations (8.4)]:

Mechanism of Action

Like other topical corticosteroids, fluocinolone acetonide has anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, and vasoconstrictive properties. The mechanism of the anti-inflammatory activity of the topical steroids, in general, is unclear. However, corticosteroids are thought to act by the induction of phospholipase A2 inhibitory proteins, collectively called lipocortins. It is postulated that these proteins control the biosynthesis of potent mediators of inflammation such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes by inhibiting the release of their common precursor arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid is released from membrane phospholipids by phospholipase A2.

Pharmacokinetics

Topical corticosteroids can be absorbed from intact healthy skin. The extent of percutaneous absorption of topical corticosteroids is determined by many factors, including the product formulation and the integrity of the epidermal barrier. Occlusion, inflammation and/or other disease processes in the skin may increase percutaneous absorption.

The use of pharmacodynamic endpoints for assessing the systemic exposure of topical corticosteroids may be necessary due to the fact that circulating levels are often below the level of detection. Once absorbed through the skin, topical corticosteroids are metabolized primarily in the liver, and are then excreted by the kidneys. Some corticosteroids and their metabolites are also excreted in the bile.

Fluocinolone acetonide topical oil, 0.01% is in the low to medium range of potency as compared with other topical corticosteroids in vasoconstrictor studies.

Carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, impairment of fertility

Long-term animal studies have not been performed to evaluate the carcinogenic potential or the effect on fertility of fluocinolone acetonide topical oil, 0.01%. Studies have not been performed to evaluate the mutagenic potential of fluocinolone acetonide, the active ingredient in fluocinolone acetonide topical oil, 0.01%. Some corticosteroids have been found to be genotoxic in various genotoxicity tests (i.e. the in vitro human peripheral blood lymphocyte chromosome aberration assay with metabolic activation, the in vivo mouse bone marrow micronucleus assay, the Chinese hamster micronucleus test, and the in vitro mouse lymphoma gene mutation assay).