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VANOS®
(VAN-os)
(fluocinonide) Cream 0.1%

Read the Patient Information that comes with VANOS Cream before you start using it and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This leaflet does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your condition or treatment.

What is VANOS Cream?

VANOS Cream is a prescription corticosteroid medicine used on the skin (topical) to treat adults and children 12 years and older with certain skin conditions that cause red, flaky, and itchy skin.

• You should not use VANOS Cream for longer than 2 weeks in a row.
• You should not use more than 60 grams of VANOS Cream or more than half of the 120 gram tube in 1 week.
• Vanos Cream should not be used:
• if you have skin swelling or redness on the nose of face (rosacea)
• for a scaly or bumpy rash around your mouth (perioral dermatitis)
• on your face, underarms, or groin area

It is not known if VANOS Cream is safe and effective in children under 12 years of age.

What should I tell my doctor before using VANOS Cream?

Before using VANOS Cream, tell your doctor if you:

• have had irritation or other skin reaction to a steroid medicine in the past
• adrenal gland problems
• plan to have surgery
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if VANOS Cream will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
• are breast-feeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if VANOS Cream passes into your breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you use Vanos Cream.

Tell your doctor about all the medicine you take including prescriptions and non-prescriptions medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take a corticosteroid medicine by mouth or use other products on your skin that contain corticosteroids. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of your medicines with you to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

How should I use VANOS Cream?

• See "What is VANOS Cream?"
• Use VANOS Cream exactly as your doctor tells you.
• This medicine is for use on the skin only. Do not use VANOS Cream in your eyes, mouth or vagina.
• Wash your hands after you use VANOS Cream.
• Do not use VANOS Cream for longer than 2weeks in a row.
• Talk to your doctor if your skin does not get better after 2 weeks of treatment with VANOS Cream.
• Do not bandage or cover the skin treated with VANOS Cream unless your doctor tells you to.

What are the possible side effects with VANOS Cream?

VANOS Cream may cause side effects, including:

• Symptoms of a disorder where the adrenal gland does not make enough of certain hormones (adrenal insufficiency) during treatment or after stopping treatment. Your doctor may do blood tests to check you for adrenal insufficiency while you are using VANOS Cream. Tell your doctor if you have any of these symptoms of adrenal insufficiency:
  • tiredness that worsens and does not go away
  • nausea or vomiting
  • dizziness or fainting
  • muscle weakness
  • irritability and depression
  • loss of appetite
  • weight loss
• Cushing's syndrome, when the body is exposed to too much of the hormone cortisol. Your doctor may do tests to check for this. Symptoms can include:
  • weight gain, especially around your upper back and midsection
  • slow healing of cuts, insect bites and infections
  • tiredness and muscle weakness
  • depression, anxiety and irritability
  • roundness of your face (moon face)
  • new or worsening high blood pressure

The most common side effect of VANOS Cream is burning of your skin treated with VANOS Cream.

Talk to your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the side effects with VANOS Cream. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

You may also report side effects to Medicis at 1-800-900-6389.

How should I store VANOS Cream?

• Store VANOS Cream at room temperature, between 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C).
• Keep the tube tightly closed.

Keep VANOS Cream and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about VANOS Cream

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in the Patient Information leaflet. Do not use VANOS Cream for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give VANOS Cream to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them.

This Patient Information leaflet summarizes the most important information about VANOS Cream. If you would like more information, talk with your doctor. You can also ask your pharmacist or doctor for information about VANOS Cream that is written for healthcare professionals.

What are the ingredients in VANOS Cream?

Active ingredient: fluocinonide 0.1%

Inactive ingredients: propylene glycol, dimethyl isosorbide, glyceryl stearate (and) PEG-100 stearate, glyceryl monostearate, purified water, carbopol 980, diisopropanolamine, and anhydrous citric acid.

This Patient Information has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Last reviewed on RxList: 4/4/2012
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.