Medications

Amcinonide

Amcinonide

Previously Found with Medfinder

Comprehensive medication guide to {drug} including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.

Estimated Insurance Pricing
$10–$50 copay for generic cream; some plans require step therapy with a lower-potency steroid first.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$280–$320 retail for generic cream (60g); as low as $109 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons. Ointment can exceed $2,400.
Medfinder Findability Score
5
/100
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Post Author

Peter Daggett

Last Updated

March 25, 2026

Amcinonide 2026 Availability, Prices, and Tips to Find

What Is Amcinonide?

Amcinonide is a high-potency synthetic topical corticosteroid used to treat inflammatory skin conditions. It is classified as a Class II (ointment) to Class III (cream) corticosteroid on the potency scale, making it one of the stronger options for treating stubborn skin inflammation.

Amcinonide is FDA-approved to treat atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, eczema, plaque-type psoriasis, and other corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses. It was originally marketed under the brand name Cyclocort by Lederle Laboratories, though the brand has since been discontinued. Today, only generic versions are available from manufacturers like Taro Pharmaceuticals and Fougera Pharmaceuticals.

How does Amcinonide work?

Amcinonide is a synthetic fluorinated glucocorticoid that works by suppressing inflammation at the cellular level. When applied to the skin, it reduces the migration of white blood cells (polymorphonuclear leukocytes) to the inflamed area and reverses increased capillary permeability — two key drivers of redness, swelling, and irritation.

At a molecular level, Amcinonide inhibits the enzyme phospholipase A2, which blocks the release of arachidonic acid. This prevents the production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes — inflammatory chemicals responsible for itching, redness, and swelling. The result is reduced inflammation, less itching, and faster healing of affected skin.

What doses are available for Amcinonide?

  • Topical Cream 0.1% — Available in 15g, 30g, and 60g tubes
  • Topical Ointment 0.1% — Available in 15g, 30g, and 60g tubes (very limited availability)
  • Topical Lotion 0.1% — Available in 20mL and 60mL bottles (rarely stocked)

All formulations contain the same 0.1% concentration of Amcinonide. The cream is the most commonly dispensed and easiest to find.

How hard is it to find Amcinonide in stock?

Amcinonide is extremely difficult to find at retail pharmacies. With a findability score of just 5 out of 100, this is one of the hardest dermatologic medications to locate. The brand name Cyclocort has been discontinued, and only a handful of generic manufacturers — primarily Taro Pharmaceuticals and Fougera (Sandoz) — still produce it. Limited production volume combined with low market demand means most pharmacies do not stock Amcinonide routinely. The ointment formulation is especially scarce. Patients may need to call multiple pharmacies or use a service like Medfinder to locate it in stock.

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Who Can Prescribe Amcinonide?

Amcinonide is most commonly prescribed by dermatologists for moderate-to-severe inflammatory skin conditions that haven't responded to lower-potency steroids. However, several other specialties may also prescribe it:

  • Dermatologists — Primary prescribers for conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and contact dermatitis
  • Family Medicine physicians — May prescribe for common skin conditions
  • Internal Medicine physicians — Can prescribe when dermatologic issues are part of broader care
  • Pediatricians — May prescribe with caution for children with severe dermatitis
  • Allergists and Immunologists — For allergic contact dermatitis and related conditions

Telehealth consultations are also available for obtaining Amcinonide prescriptions, which can be convenient given the medication's limited in-store availability.

Is Amcinonide a controlled substance?

No, Amcinonide is not a controlled substance. It is not scheduled by the DEA and does not have abuse potential. It is a topical anti-inflammatory medication that can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider without special restrictions. No ID requirements or prescription monitoring apply.

Common Side Effects of Amcinonide

  • Burning or stinging at the application site
  • Itching or mild irritation
  • Skin dryness or peeling
  • Folliculitis — redness or crusting around hair follicles
  • Acne — breakouts at the application site
  • Hypertrichosis — increased hair growth in treated areas
  • Stretch marks (striae) — especially with prolonged use
  • Skin thinning (atrophy) — a risk with extended use of high-potency steroids

More serious but rare side effects include HPA axis suppression (with prolonged use or large-area application), secondary skin infections, and vision changes if used near the eyes. Children are particularly susceptible to systemic absorption. Always follow your doctor's instructions regarding duration and area of use.

Alternative Medications to Amcinonide

If you're having trouble finding Amcinonide in stock, several alternative high-potency topical corticosteroids may work for your condition:

  • Fluocinonide 0.05% cream/ointment — A Class II high-potency topical corticosteroid that is widely available as a generic and often more affordable
  • Betamethasone Dipropionate 0.05% cream/ointment — Another high-potency option with broad availability and low generic pricing
  • Triamcinolone Acetonide 0.5% ointment — An upper-mid potency corticosteroid that is very affordable and easy to find
  • Mometasone Furoate 0.1% ointment — A mid-to-high potency corticosteroid with once-daily dosing and good generic availability

Talk to your dermatologist about switching to an alternative if Amcinonide is unavailable. Many patients respond well to other corticosteroids in the same potency range.

Drug Interactions with Amcinonide

Because Amcinonide is a topical medication with minimal systemic absorption, drug interactions are relatively limited compared to oral medications. However, some interactions to be aware of include:

  • Other topical corticosteroids — Applying multiple corticosteroids to the same area increases the risk of skin thinning, HPA axis suppression, and other side effects
  • Aldesleukin (IL-2) — Corticosteroids may reduce the antineoplastic effect of this cancer treatment
  • Topical retinoids — Using retinoids (like tretinoin) on the same area may increase skin irritation
  • Other topical medications — Applying multiple products to the same skin area simultaneously may alter absorption of one or both medications

There are no known food interactions with Amcinonide since it is applied topically with minimal systemic absorption. Always inform your doctor of all medications you're using, including other topical products.

Final Thoughts on Amcinonide

Amcinonide is an effective high-potency topical corticosteroid for treating stubborn inflammatory skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and contact dermatitis. However, it is one of the most difficult dermatologic medications to find in stock due to limited manufacturers, the discontinuation of the Cyclocort brand, and low production volumes.

If your doctor has prescribed Amcinonide, expect to make several calls to pharmacies or use a tool like Medfinder to track down availability. The cream formulation is your best bet — the ointment and lotion are significantly harder to locate. Discount cards from GoodRx and SingleCare can bring the generic cream price down from over $300 to around $109 for a 60g tube.

If you can't find Amcinonide, ask your prescriber about alternatives like Fluocinonide or Betamethasone Dipropionate, which are more widely available and often less expensive. Your skin condition shouldn't go untreated just because one specific medication is hard to find.

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