halcinonide topical

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Pronunciation: hal SIN oh nide

Brand: Halog

What is the most important information I should know about halcinonide topical?

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What is halcinonide topical?

Halcinonide is a steroid. It prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.

Halcinonide topical (for the skin) is used to treat the inflammation and itching caused by a number of skin conditions such as allergic reactions, eczema, and psoriasis.

Halcinonide topical may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking halcinonide topical?

You should not use halcinonide topical if you are allergic to it.

To make sure halcinonide topical is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

  • any type of skin infection.

Also tell your doctor if you have diabetes. Steroid medicines may increase the glucose (sugar) levels in your blood or urine. You may also need to adjust the dose of your diabetes medications.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether halcinonide topical will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.

It is not known whether halcinonide topical passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not use halcinonide topical on a child without a doctor's advice. Children can absorb larger amounts of this medication through the skin and may be more likely to have side effects. Steroid medicine can also affect growth in children. Talk with your doctor if you think your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medicine.

How should I take halcinonide topical?

This medicine is usually applied 2 or 3 times daily. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Do not take by mouth. Halcinonide topical is for use only on the skin.

Wash your hands before and after using halcinonide topical, unless you are using the medicine to treat the skin on your hands.

Apply a small amount to the affected area and rub it gently into the skin. Do not apply halcinonide topical over a large area of skin.

Plastic film covering (such as plastic wrap, plastic gloves, or a shower cap) is sometimes used to cover areas of psoriasis that are treated with halcinonide topical. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Do not cover the treated skin area unless your doctor tells you to. Covering the skin that is treated with halcinonide topical can increase the amount of medicine your skin absorbs, which may lead to unwanted side effects. When treating the diaper area of a baby, do not use plastic pants or tight-fitting diapers.

Use halcinonide topical regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Call your doctor if your skin condition does not improve after several days of treatment, or if it gets worse while using halcinonide topical.

If you use this medicine long-term, you may need frequent medical tests at your doctor's office.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medication.

An overdose of halcinonide topical is not expected to produce life threatening symptoms. However, long term use of high steroid doses can lead to symptoms such as thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.

What should I avoid while taking halcinonide topical?

Avoid getting this medicine in your eyes. If contact does occur, rinse with water. Do not use halcinonide topical on broken or infected skin. Also avoid using this medicine in open wounds.

Avoid applying halcinonide topical to the skin of your face, underarms, or groin area without your doctor's instruction.

Do not use halcinonide topical to treat any condition that has not been checked by your doctor.

What are the possible side effects of halcinonide topical?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Topical steroid medicine can be absorbed through the skin, which may cause steroid side effects throughout the body. Stop using halcinonide topical and call your doctor if you have:

  • blurred vision, or seeing halos around lights;
  • uneven heartbeats;
  • sleep problems (insomnia);
  • weight gain, puffiness in your face; or
  • tired feeling.

Also stop using halcinonide topical and call your doctor at once if you have:

  • severe skin irritation where the medicine was applied; or
  • signs of skin infection (swelling, redness, warmtth, oozing).

Common side effects may include:

  • increased hair growth;
  • burning or itching of treated skin;
  • skin dryness or irritation;
  • acne, skin rash;
  • folliculitis (redness or crusting around your hair follicles);
  • lightened color of treated skin;
  • stretch marks; or
  • white or "pruned" appearance of the skin (caused by leaving wound dressings on for long periods of time).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect halcinonide topical?

It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on topically applied halcinonide. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about halcinonide topical.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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