Fluocinolone Acetonide 0.01%, Hydroquinone 4%, Tretinoin 0.05% Cream

What is Fluocinolone Acetonide 0.01%, Hydroquinone 4%, Tretinoin 0.05% Cream used for​​​?

The Fluocinolone Acetonide 0.01%, Hydroquinone 4%, Tretinoin 0.05% Cream is the only FDA-approved melasma treatment with 3 active ingredients, uniquely combined and more effective than treatments containing only two of the ingredients. 

It is a unique triple-combination topical therapy for the short-term (8-week) treatment of the dark spots associated with moderate-to-severe facial melasma:

• Fluocinolone acetonide 0.01% is a mild corticosteroid that reduces inflammation and heal the skin.
• Hydroquinone 4% is a depigmenting agent that interrupts the formation and synthesis of melanin to help lighten the skin.
• Tretinoin 0.05% works by increasing the skin cell turnover rate, which helps exfoliate the skin.
  

What to expect from treatment with this cream?

In studies, patients experienced improvement of their melasma with the use of Fluocinolone Acetonide 0.01%, Hydroquinone 4%, Tretinoin 0.05% Cream as early as 4 weeks. And after 8 weeks of treatment with the medication, most patients with moderate-to-severe melasma had at least some improvement. Some had their dark spots clear up completely (38% in one study and 13% in another).

This cream (fluocinolone acetonide 0.01%, hydroquinone 4%, tretinoin 0.05%) may improve your melasma, but it is not a cure.

Dosage and How to Use​

Fluocinolone Acetonide 0.01%, Hydroquinone 4%, Tretinoin 0.05% Cream should always be used as instructed by your doctor. To use the medicine correctly, follow these steps:

• Apply the medication at night, at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
• Gently wash your face with a mild cleanser. Don’t use a washcloth to apply the cleanser, just your fingers. Rinse and pat your skin dry.
• Put a small amount (pea sized or ½ inch or less) of the cream on your fingertip. Apply a thin coat onto the discolored spot(s). Include about ½ inch of normal skin surrounding the affected area.
• Rub the medicine lightly and uniformly into your skin. The medicine should become invisible almost at once. If you can still see it, you are using too much.
• Keep the medicine away from the corners of your nose, your mouth, eyes and open wounds. Spread it away from those areas when applying it.
• Do not use more cream or apply it more often than recommended by your doctor. Too much of this medication may irritate your skin and won’t give you faster or better results.
• Do not cover the treated area with anything after applying the medication.
• You may also use a moisturizer and cosmetics during the day.

What are the possible side effects of Fluocinolone Acetonide 0.01%, Hydroquinone 4%, Tretinoin 0.05% Cream?​

During use of the cream, you may experience redness, peeling, burning, dryness, itching or other skin irritation. If your skin gets too irritated, stop using the medication, and let your doctor know.

This medication may also cause a gradual blue-black darkening of your skin; if this happens, stop using the product immediately and speak to your doctor. To help avoid skin dryness, you may use a moisturizer in the morning after you wash your face.

What precautions should I take?

Inform your healthcare professional if: 

• You are allergic to sulfites or any of the other ingredients of this medication
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Use of Fluocinolone Acetonide 0.01%, Hydroquinone 4%, Tretinoin 0.05% Cream in pregnant women may carry the chance of causing birth defects in the baby.

Use a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 and a wide-brimmed hat over the treated areas. It requires only a small amount of sunlight—not just a sunburn—to worsen melasma. If you do get sunburned, stop using the cream until your skin is healed. After stopping treatment with the Fluocinolone Acetonide 0.01%, Hydroquinone 4%, Tretinoin 0.05% Cream, continue to protect your skin from sunlight. 

Handling and storage

• Store in the refrigerator between 2-8°C. Do not freeze.
• Keep out of sight and reach of children.

The above information answers some common questions about this medicine. It does not contain all the available information. It also does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.