Comprehensive medication guide to Fluocinonide including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$30 copay for generic fluocinonide; typically Tier 1–2 on most commercial and Medicare Part D plans after deductible is met. Brand-name Vanos may be Tier 3 or higher.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$90–$132 retail for generic fluocinonide 0.05% cream; as low as $9–$23 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons for a 30-day supply at participating pharmacies.
Medfinder Findability Score
80/100
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Fluocinonide is a prescription-only high-potency topical corticosteroid used to treat inflammatory and itchy skin conditions. It is available in cream, gel, ointment, and topical solution formulations. The generic 0.05% forms are Class II (high potency), while the 0.1% cream (brand name Vanos) is Class I (super-high potency) — making it one of the stronger topical steroids on the market. It was first FDA-approved on June 30, 1971.
Fluocinonide is prescribed for corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses including plaque psoriasis, atopic dermatitis (eczema), lichen planus, lichen simplex chronicus, and allergic contact dermatitis. It is approved for adults and children 12 years and older, and is applied as a thin film 1–4 times daily depending on the formulation, for a maximum of 2 consecutive weeks.
Brand names include Vanos (0.1% cream), Lidex, Lidemol, Lyderm, and others. Generic versions — which are the most commonly dispensed — are available in cream, gel, ointment, and solution formulations at 0.05% concentration.
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Fluocinonide is a synthetic glucocorticoid that works by binding to glucocorticoid receptors inside skin cells. When it binds to these receptors, it triggers a cascade of anti-inflammatory effects: suppressing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, blocking the arachidonic acid pathway (which produces prostaglandins and leukotrienes), stabilizing immune cell membranes, and reducing the recruitment of white blood cells to inflamed skin.
It also causes vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels) in the skin, which reduces redness and limits inflammatory cell delivery to the affected area. In conditions like psoriasis where skin cells overproduce, fluocinonide's anti-mitotic properties help slow cell division and reduce plaque thickness.
Fluocinonide is 100–150 times more potent than over-the-counter hydrocortisone, thanks to fluorine atoms in its molecular structure that increase skin penetration and receptor affinity. Most patients begin to see results within 1–3 days, with full improvement typically within 1–2 weeks of consistent use.
0.05% — cream
Generic; high potency (Class II); most widely available; applied 2-4 times daily
0.1% — cream
Brand: Vanos; super-high potency (Class I); applied once or twice daily; max 60g/week; limit 2 weeks
0.05% — gel
Generic; high potency; preferred for hairy areas or when non-greasy vehicle is needed
0.05% — ointment
Generic; high potency; more occlusive than cream; good for thick or dry hyperkeratotic lesions
0.05% — solution
Generic; high potency; used for scalp and hairy body areas; applied 2-4 times daily
Fluocinonide is not currently on the FDA's Drug Shortages Database or the ASHP shortage list. The 0.05% cream — the most commonly dispensed formulation — is broadly available at major chain pharmacies including CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and Costco. However, patients do report occasional stock-outs, particularly for the gel, topical solution, and certain tube sizes, due to the fragmented generic drug supply chain and lower par levels for these less-common formulations.
Seasonal demand spikes during winter months — when eczema and psoriasis flares are more common — can also temporarily strain local pharmacy inventory. If your neighborhood pharmacy is out of stock, trying independent pharmacies or calling ahead to confirm availability is recommended.
If you're having trouble finding fluocinonide, medfinder can call pharmacies near you and text you which ones have it in stock — saving you the time of calling around yourself.
Fluocinonide is not a controlled substance, so any licensed prescriber in the United States can write a prescription for it without DEA scheduling restrictions. It is commonly prescribed by a variety of healthcare providers who treat inflammatory skin conditions.
Fluocinonide can also be prescribed via telehealth, making it accessible without an in-person visit. Teledermatology platforms and general telehealth services (such as Teladoc or MDLive) can prescribe fluocinonide after a virtual evaluation of your skin condition.
No. Fluocinonide is not a DEA-scheduled controlled substance. It is a prescription medication, meaning you do need a valid prescription from a licensed provider to obtain it, but it has no DEA scheduling, no refill limitations related to controlled substance rules, and does not require a physical prescription in most states. It can be prescribed via telehealth without additional controlled substance prescribing requirements.
Prescriptions for fluocinonide can generally be transferred between pharmacies in most states, and refills are allowed as directed by the prescriber. There are no special pharmacy dispensing requirements beyond those for standard prescription medications.
When used correctly (thin layer, short-term, affected areas only), fluocinonide is well tolerated. Common side effects include:
More serious side effects are rare but can occur with prolonged use, large surface area application, or occlusive dressings:
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Clobetasol Propionate (Clobex, Temovate)
Class I super-potent topical corticosteroid; available as cream, ointment, shampoo, lotion, foam; widely stocked; closest equivalent to fluocinonide 0.1%
Halobetasol Propionate (Ultravate, Bryhali)
Class I super-potent topical corticosteroid; cream, ointment, lotion; Bryhali approved for up to 8 weeks use
Betamethasone Dipropionate (Diprolene)
Class I-II topical corticosteroid; augmented formulation (gel/ointment) is Class I; standard cream is Class II equivalent to fluocinonide 0.05%
Triamcinolone Acetonide (Kenalog)
Class III-IV medium-potency topical corticosteroid; appropriate for milder conditions or for step-down therapy after initial fluocinonide treatment
Prefer Fluocinonide? We can find it.
Other topical corticosteroids
moderateAdditive corticosteroid effect; increases risk of HPA axis suppression, Cushing syndrome, and hyperglycemia
Oral corticosteroids (prednisone, dexamethasone)
moderateCombined systemic corticosteroid burden increases risk of HPA axis suppression, especially with large surface area application
Inhaled or nasal corticosteroids (fluticasone, budesonide)
minorAdds to total corticosteroid exposure; may increase systemic side effect risk in patients using large amounts of topical fluocinonide
Latex products (condoms, diaphragms)
moderateFluocinonide can degrade latex; discard latex products that come in contact with the medication
Fluocinonide is a time-tested, highly effective treatment for inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema. Its high potency makes it particularly useful for thick, resistant plaques and moderate-to-severe flares that don't respond to weaker steroids. When used correctly — thin layer, affected areas only, two weeks maximum — it is generally well tolerated and provides significant relief.
While it is not in an active FDA-declared shortage, individual pharmacy stock-outs do happen for specific formulations. With a GoodRx coupon, generic fluocinonide is affordable — often under $25 — making cost less of a barrier than for many other prescription medications. Telehealth makes it easier than ever to get a prescription quickly if you don't have an existing relationship with a dermatologist.
If you have a prescription and are having trouble finding fluocinonide in stock, medfinder can help by calling pharmacies near you and texting you which ones have it available — so you can skip the phone tag and get your prescription filled faster.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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