Fluocinolone Acetonide

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 result from systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids.

HPA axis suppression and Cushing’s syndrome have been reported in pediatric patients receiving topical corticosteroids. Manifestations of adrenal suppression in pediatric patients include linear growth retardation, delayed weight gain, low plasma cortisol levels, and subnormal response to ACTH stimulation. Pediatric patients 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)].

Conditions which increase systemic absorption include the use of more potent corticosteroids, use over large surface areas, use over prolonged periods, use of occlusive dressings, altered skin barrier, liver failure, and young age. Use of more than one corticosteroid-containing product at the same time may increase total systemic corticosteroid exposure. 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. Manifestations of adrenal insufficiency may require supplemental systemic corticosteroid. Recovery of HPA axis function is generally prompt upon discontinuation of topical corticosteroids.

Local adverse reactions may occur with use of topical corticosteroids, including fluocinolone acetonide oil 0.01%, 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)].

Use of topical corticosteroids may increase the risks of glaucoma and posterior subcapsular cataract. Glaucoma and cataracts have been reported in postmarketing experience with the use of topical corticosteroid products. Avoid contact of fluocinolone acetonide oil 0.01% with eyes. Advise patients to report any visual symptoms and consider referral to an ophthalmologist for evaluation.

Use of topical corticosteroids can cause allergic contact dermatitis. 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.

Use of topical corticosteroids may delay healing or worsen concomitant skin infections. Treat concomitant skin infections with an appropriate antimicrobial agent. If the infection persists unchanged, discontinue fluocinolone acetonide oil 0.01% until the infection has been adequately treated.

Use caution in prescribing fluocinolone acetonide oil 0.01% for peanut sensitive individuals [see Description (l1)].

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

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

In trials that enrolled 154 subjects (adults and pediatric subjects 2 years and older) with chronic eczematous external otitis who were treated with five drops per ear of fluocinolone acetonide oil 0.01% twice daily for a maximum 14 days of treatment, the following adverse reactions were reported:

Table 1: Adverse Reactions in ≥ 1% of  Fluocinolone Acetonide Oil 0.01%-Treated Adult and Pediatric Subjects 2 Years of Age and Older with Chronic Eczematous External Otitis, N=154

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of products containing topical corticosteroids. Because postmarketing adverse reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

• Endocrine Disorders: HPA axis suppression and Cushing’s syndrome [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)]
• Eye Disorders: glaucoma and cataracts [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]
• Nervous System Disorders: intracranial hypertension including bulging fontanelles, headaches, and bilateral papilledema [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)]

Risk Summary

Available data from case reports, case series, and observational studies on fluocinolone acetonide use in pregnant women have not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Observational studies suggest maternal use of high to super-high potency topical steroids may be associated with an increased risk of low birthweight infants. Advise pregnant women to use fluocinolone acetonide oil 0.01% on the smallest area of skin and for the shortest duration possible.

Corticosteroids can cause fetal malformations in laboratory animals when administered systemically at relatively low dosage levels. Some corticosteroids cause fetal malformations after dermal application in laboratory animals.

The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.

Risk Summary

There is no information regarding the presence of fluocinolone acetonide in breast milk or its effects on the breastfed infant or on milk production. It is not known whether topical administration of corticosteroids could result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable quantities in breast milk. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for fluocinolone acetonide oil 0.01% and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from fluocinolone acetonide oil 0.01% or from the underlying maternal condition.

The safety and effectiveness of fluocinolone acetonide oil 0.01% for the topical treatment of chronic eczematous external otitis have been established in pediatric patients aged 2 years and older.

Safety and effectiveness of fluocinolone acetonide oil 0.01% in pediatric patients with chronic eczematous external otitis below the age of 2 years have not been established.

Systemic Adverse Reactions in Pediatric Patients

HPA Axis suppression, Cushing’s syndrome, and intracranial hypertension have been reported in pediatric patients receiving topical corticosteroids. Manifestations of adrenal suppression in pediatric patients 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, pediatric patients are at a greater risk for systemic adverse reactions than are adults when treated with topical corticosteroids [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

Evaluation in Peanut-Sensitive Pediatric Patients

A clinical trial was conducted to assess the safety of the formulation of fluocinolone acetonide oil 0.01%, which contains refined peanut oil, in patients with known peanut allergies. The trial enrolled 13 pediatric subjects with atopic dermatitis, 6 to 17 years of age. Fluocinolone acetonide oil 0.01% is not approved for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Of the 13 subjects, 9 were Radioallergosorbent Test (RAST) positive to peanuts and 4 had no peanut sensitivity (controls). The trial evaluated the subjects’ responses to both prick test and patch test utilizing refined peanut oil, the formulation of fluocinolone acetonide oil 0.01% and histamine/saline controls. Subjects were also treated with the formulation of fluocinolone acetonide oil 0.01% twice daily for 7 days. Prick test and patch test results for all 13 subjects were negative to the formulation of fluocinolone acetonide oil 0.01% and the refined peanut oil. One of the 9 peanut-sensitive subjects experienced an exacerbation of atopic dermatitis after 5 days of use on the formulation of fluocinolone acetonide oil 0.01%.

Evaluation in Pediatric Patients 2 to 6 years old

Use of the formulation of fluocinolone acetonide oil 0.01% in pediatric patients 2 to 6 years old is supported by open-label safety trials conducted in 33 pediatric subjects (20 subjects ages 2 to 6 years, 13 subjects ages 7 to 12 years) with moderate to severe stable atopic dermatitis. Baseline body surface area involvement was 50% to 75% in 15 subjects and greater than 75% in 18 subjects. Subjects were treated with the formulation of fluocinolone acetonide oil 0.01% twice daily for 4 weeks. Morning pre­stimulation 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 pre­stimulation cortisol levels (3.2 to 6.6 mcg/dL; normal: cortisol > 7 mcg/dL) but all had normal responses to 0.25 mg of ACTH stimulation (cortisol > 18 mcg/dL) [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)].

Corticosteroids play a role in cellular signaling, immune function, inflammation, and protein regulation; however, the precise mechanism of action in eczematous external otitis is unknown.

Vasoconstrictor Assay

Fluocinolone acetonide oil 0.01% is in the low to medium range of potency as compared with other topical corticosteroids in vasoconstrictor studies. However, similar blanching scores do not necessarily imply therapeutic equivalence.

Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis Suppression

HPA axis suppression was evaluated in 33 pediatric subjects 2 to 12 years old (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 the formulation of fluocinolone acetonide 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 mcg/dL; normal cortisol >7 mcg/dL) but all had normal responses to 0.25 mg of ACTH stimulation (cortisol > 18 mcg/dL) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

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.

No carcinogenicity, genotoxicity, or fertility studies were conducted with fluocinolone acetonide oil 0.01%. However, some corticosteroids are 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).