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Moderately potent topical corticosteroid Pregnancy: There is inadequate evidence of safety in human pregnancy; there may be a very small risk of cleft palate, intra-uterine growth retardation and suppression of the neonatal HPA axis, and there is evidence of harmful effects in animals. Use in pregnancy only when there is no safer alternative and when the disease itself carries risks for mother and child. Caution when administering to nursing mothers.

Fludroxycortide

Brand names: Haelan

Fludroxycortide (flurandrenolone) is a topical corticosteroid used for inflammatory and pruritic dermatoses such as eczema, including as an impregnated tape for localised lesions.

Auto-extracted from the source labelling — not yet independently clinician-verified. These values were distilled from the UK SPC (or the US label where noted) but have not had a clinician sign-off. Confirm against the current SmPC before prescribing.

Adult dose

Dose: Fludroxycortide 0.0125% w/w cream — for moist, weeping lesions apply gently to the affected area
Route: Topical
Frequency: Two or three times daily
Elderly: as the skin is likely to be thin, apply sparingly to avoid development of atrophy. Dilution is not recommended, but if considered necessary aqueous cream BP may be used. The label will state strong steroid. Long-term continuous therapy should be avoided in all patients irrespective of age; application under occlusion should be restricted to dermatoses in very limited areas. If used on the face, courses should be limited to five days and occlusion should not be used. Not intended for ophthalmic use. Paediatric (SPC section 4.4, no numeric dose given): if used in children, courses should be limited to five days and occlusion should not be used; children may absorb proportionally larger amounts of topical corticosteroids. Note section 4.3 contraindicates dermatoses in infancy including eczema and dermatitic napkin eruption.

Dose auto-extracted from UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) via the eMC — not yet clinician-verified. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Contraindications

  • Tuberculosis of the skin
  • Facial rosacea, acne vulgaris, perioral dermatitis
  • Perianal and genital pruritus
  • Dermatoses in infancy, including eczema and dermatitic napkin eruption
  • Bacterial (impetigo), viral (herpes simplex) and fungal (candida or dermatophyte) skin infections
  • Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients

Side effects

  • Burning, itching and irritation
  • Dryness, folliculitis, hypertrichosis and acneform eruptions
  • Hypopigmentation, perioral dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis
  • Skin atrophy, striae and telangiectasia (thinning and dilatation of superficial blood vessels)
  • Systemic steroid effects with prolonged use of large doses to extensive areas — HPA axis suppression, Cushing's syndrome, hyperglycaemia and glycosuria; in children linear growth retardation, delayed weight gain and intracranial hypertension
  • Withdrawal reactions (topical steroid withdrawal syndrome) — redness extending beyond the treated area, burning or stinging, itch, skin peeling, oozing pustules

Clinical monograph

How it works

It binds cytoplasmic glucocorticoid receptors to exert anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive and vasoconstrictive effects in the skin.

Prescribing in practice

  • Prolonged or extensive use, occlusion, or application to the face and flexures increases the risk of skin atrophy, striae and systemic absorption; use the lowest effective potency for the shortest time.
  • The impregnated tape provides occlusion that enhances potency and is suited to thickened or localised lesions but raises local and systemic absorption.
  • Avoid use on untreated infected skin, and treat secondary bacterial, fungal or viral infection appropriately.

Monitoring

No routine laboratory monitoring is required; review for treatment response and local steroid side effects such as thinning, telangiectasia and perioral dermatitis.

Counselling the patient

  • Apply a thin film to affected areas only and avoid the face unless specifically directed.
  • Do not use on broken or infected skin without medical advice.
  • Use only for the period advised and step down as the skin improves.

Evidence & guidelines

Topical corticosteroids are a mainstay of eczema flare management in NICE guidance, with potency matched to disease severity and body site.

Reference: Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

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