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Cutivate Prescribing Information

Package insert / product label
Generic name: fluticasone propionate
Dosage form: ointment
Drug class: Topical steroids

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 14, 2024.

Highlights of Prescribing Information

These highlights do not include all the information needed to use CUTIVATE® Ointment safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for CUTIVATE ® Ointment.
CUTIVATE (fluticasone propionate) Ointment, 0.005%, for topical use Initial U.S. Approval: 1990

Indications and Usage for Cutivate

CUTIVATE® Ointment is a corticosteroid indicated for the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses in adult patients. ( 1 )

Cutivate Dosage and Administration

Apply a thin film to the affected skin areas twice daily. (2)

Dosage Forms and Strengths

Ointment, 0.005%, supplied in 30 g and 60 g tubes. ( 3 )

Contraindications

CUTIVATE Ointment is contraindicated in those patients with a history of serious hypersensitivity to any of the components in the preparation. ( 4 )

Warnings and Precautions

Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis Suppression: Reversible HPA axis suppression and resulting clinical glucocorticoid insufficiency can occur during or after withdrawal of treatment. Risk factors include use over large surface area, prolonged use, use under occlusion, altered skin barrier, liver failure, and young age. Modify use if HPA axis suppression is suspected. (5.1)

Adverse Reactions/Side Effects

The most common adverse reactions (<1%) were pruritus, burning, hypertrichosis, increased erythema, urticaria, irritation, and lightheadedness. (6.1)
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact PharmaDerm®, A division of Fougera Pharmaceuticals Inc. at 1-800-645-9833 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

See 17 for PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION and FDA-approved patient labeling.

Revised: 2/2019

Full Prescribing Information

1. Indications and Usage for Cutivate

CUTIVATE® Ointment is a corticosteroid indicated for the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses in adult patients.

2. Cutivate Dosage and Administration

Apply a thin film of CUTIVATE® Ointment to the affected skin areas twice daily. Rub in gently.
Avoid use with occulusive dressing.
CUTIVATE® Ointment is for topical use only; it is not for ophthalmic, oral or intravaginal use.

3. Dosage Forms and Strengths

Ointment, 0.005%. Each gram of CUTIVATE® Ointment contains 0.05 mg fluticasone propionate in a white to off-white translucent ointment base. CUTIVATE® Ointment is supplied in 30 g and 60 g tubes.

4. Contraindications

CUTIVATE® Ointment is contraindicated in those patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any of the components in the preparation.

5. Warnings and Precautions

5.1 Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis Suppression and Other Adverse Endocrine Effects

Topical corticosteroids, including CUTIVATE® Ointment, can produce reversible HPA axis suppression with the potential for clinical glucocorticoid insufficiency. Factors that predispose to HPA axis suppression include large treatment surface areas, prolonged use, use under occlusion, altered skin barrier, liver failure, and young age. Cushing’s syndrome, hyperglycemia, and unmasking of latent diabetes mellitus can also result from systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids.
If HPA axis suppression is suspected, gradually withdraw the drug, reduce the frequency of application, or substitute with a less potent corticosteroid. An ACTH stimulation test may be helpful in evaluating patients for HPA axis suppression.
Pediatric patients may be at greater risk of HPA axis suppression due to their higher skin surface area to body mass ratios [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].
HPA axis suppression may occur during or after withdrawal of treatment. If HPA axis suppression is suspected, gradually withdraw the drug, reduce the frequency of application, or substitute with a less potent corticosteroid. Evaluation of HPA axis suppression may be done by using the cosyntropin stimulation test.

5.2 Local Adverse Reactions

CUTIVATE® Ointment may cause local adverse reactions, including skin atrophy [see Adverse Reactions (6.1 , 6.2)]. The risk is greater with use under occlusion.

5.3 Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Allergic contact dermatitis with topical corticosteroids is usually diagnosed by observing failure to heal rather than noting a clinical exacerbation. Such an observation can be corroborated with appropriate diagnostic patch testing. Discontinue CUTIVATE® Ointment if appropriate.

5.4 Skin Infections

If concomitant skin infections are present or develop, use an appropriate antimicrobial. If a favorable response does not occur promptly, discontinue use of CUTIVATE® Ointment until the infection has been adequately controlled.

6. Adverse Reactions/Side Effects

The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling:

HPA Axis Suppression and Other Adverse Endocrine Effects [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]
Local Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]
Concomitant Skin Infections [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
In controlled clinical trials, the total incidence of adverse reactions associated with the use of CUTIVATE® Ointment was approximately 4%. These adverse reactions were usually mild, self-limiting, and consisted primarily of pruritus, burning, hypertrichosis, increased erythema, urticaria, irritation, and lightheadedness. Each of these events occurred individually in less than 1% of patients.

6.2 Postmarketing Experience

The following local adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of CUTIVATE® Ointment: acneiform dermatitis, edema, rash, hypoaesthesia, pustular psoriasis, skin atrophy.
The following systemic adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of CUTIVATE® Cream and CUTIVATE® Ointment: immunosuppression/Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia/leukopenia/thrombocytopenia; hyperglycemia/glycosuria; Cushing syndrome; generalized body edema/blurred vision; and acute urticarial reaction (edema, urticaria, pruritus, and throat swelling).
The following local adverse reactions have also been reported with the use of topical corticosteroids: telangiectasia, striae, dryness, folliculitis, hypopigmentation, perioral dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, secondary infection, and miliaria.
Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

8. Use In Specific Populations

8.1 Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category C

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Therefore, CUTIVATE® Ointment should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Systemic embryofetal development studies were conducted in mice, rats and rabbits.
Subcutaneous doses of 15, 45 and 150 μg/kg/day of fluticasone propionate were administered to pregnant female mice from gestation days 6 to 15. A teratogenic effect characteristic of corticosteroids (cleft palate) was noted after administration of 45 and 150 μg/kg/day (less than the MRHD in adults based on body surface area comparisons) in this study. No treatment related effects on embryofetal toxicity or teratogenicity were noted at 15 μg/kg/day (less than the MRHD in adults based on body surface area comparisons).
Subcutaneous doses of 10, 30 and 100 μg/kg/day of fluticasone propionate were administered to pregnant female rats in two embryofetal development studies (one study administered fluticasone propionate from gestation days 6 to 15 and the other study from gestation days 7 to 17). In the presence of maternal toxicity, fetal effects noted at 100 μg/kg/day (less than the MRHD in adults based on body surface area comparisons) included decreased fetal weights, omphalocele, cleft palate, and retarded skeletal ossification. No treatment related effects on embryofetal toxicity or teratogenicity were noted at 10 μg/kg/day (less than the MRHD in adults based on body surface area comparisons).
Subcutaneous doses of 0.08, 0.57 and 4 μg/kg/day of fluticasone propionate were administered to pregnant female rabbits from gestation days 6 to 18. Fetal effects noted at 4 μg/kg/day (less than the MRHD in adults based on body surface area comparisons) included decreased fetal weights, cleft palate and retarded skeletal ossification. No treatment related effects on embryofetal toxicity or teratogenicity were noted at 0.57 μg/kg/day (less than the MRHD in adults based on body surface area comparisons).
Oral doses of 3, 30 and 300 μg/kg/day fluticasone propionate were administered to pregnant female rabbits from gestation days 8 to 20. No fetal or teratogenic effects were noted at oral doses up to 300 μg/kg/day (less than the MRHD in adults based on body surface area comparisons) in this study. However, no fluticasone propionate was detected in the plasma in this study, consistent with the established low bioavailability following oral administration.
Fluticasone propionate crossed the placenta following administration of a subcutaneous or an oral dose of 100 μg/kg tritiated fluticasone propionate to pregnant rats.

8.3 Nursing Mothers

Systemically administered corticosteroids appear in human milk and can suppress growth, interfere with endogenous corticosteroid production, or cause other untoward effects. It is not known whether topical administration of corticosteroids could result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable quantities in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when CUTIVATE® Ointment is administered to a nursing woman.

8.4 Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of CUTIVATE® Ointment have not been established in pediatric patients. Use of CUTIVATE® Ointment in pediatric patients is not recommended.
Because of a higher ratio of skin surface area to body mass, pediatric patients are at a greater risk than adults of systemic effects when treated with topical drugs. They are, therefore, also at greater risk of HPA axis suppression and adrenal insufficiency upon the use of topical corticosteroids [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
In a trial of 35 pediatric subjects treated with fluticasone propionate ointment, 0.005% for atopic dermatitis over at least 35% of body surface area, subnormal adrenal function was observed with cosyntropin stimulation testing at the end of 3 to 4 weeks of treatment in 4 subjects who had normal testing prior to treatment. It is not known if these subjects had recovery of adrenal function because follow-up testing was not performed. The decreased responsiveness of cosyntropin testing was not correlated to age of subject, amount of fluticasone propionate ointment used, or serum levels of fluticasone propionate.
In the above trial, telangiectasia on the face was noted in one subject on the eighth day of a 4-week treatment period. Facial use was discontinued and the telangiectasia resolved.
HPA axis suppression, Cushing’s syndrome, linear growth retardation, delayed weight gain, and intracranial hypertension have been reported in pediatric patients receiving topical corticosteroids.

8.5 Geriatric Use

A limited number of patients above 65 years of age (n = 203) have been treated with CUTIVATE® Ointment in US and non-US clinical trials. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these subjects and younger subjects, and other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. However, greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.

11. Cutivate Description

CUTIVATE® (fluticasone propionate) Ointment, 0.005% contains fluticasone propionate [S-Fluoromethyl 6α, 9α-difluoro-11β-hydroxy-16α-methyl-3-oxo-17α-propionyloxyandrosta-1,4-diene-17β-carbothioate], a synthetic fluorinated corticosteroid, for topical use.

Chemically, fluticasone propionate is C25H31F3O5S.
It has the following structural formula:

Structural Formula

Fluticasone propionate has a molecular weight of 500.6. It is a white to off-white powder and is insoluble in water.

Each gram of CUTIVATE® Ointment contains fluticasone propionate 0.05 mg in a white to off-white translucent ointment base of liquid paraffin, microcrystalline wax, propylene glycol, and sorbitan sesquioleate.

12. Cutivate - Clinical Pharmacology

12.1 Mechanism of Action

Corticosteroids play a role in cellular signaling, immune function, inflammation, and protein regulation; however, the precise mechanism of action of CUTIVATE® Ointment in corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses is unknown.

12.2 Pharmacodynamics

Vasoconstrictor Assay

Studies performed with CUTIVATE® Ointment indicate that it is in the medium range of potency as demonstrated in vasoconstrictor trials in healthy subjects when compared with other topical corticosteroids. However, similar blanching scores do not necessarily imply therapeutic equivalence.

12.3 Pharmacokinetics

Absorption
The extent of percutaneous absorption of topical corticosteroids is determined by many factors, including the vehicle and the integrity of the epidermal barrier. Occlusive dressing enhances penetration. Topical corticosteroids can be absorbed from normal intact skin. Inflammation and/or other disease processes in the skin increase percutaneous absorption.
In a study of 6 healthy subjects applying 25 g of fluticasone propionate ointment 0.005% twice daily to the trunk and legs for up to 5 days under occlusion, plasma levels of fluticasone ranged from 0.08 to 0.22 ng/mL.
Distribution
The percentage of fluticasone propionate bound to human plasma proteins averaged 91%. Fluticasone propionate is weakly and reversibly bound to erythrocytes. Fluticasone propionate is not significantly bound to human transcortin.
Metabolism
No metabolites of fluticasone propionate were detected in an in vitro study of radiolabeled fluticasone propionate incubated in a human skin homogenate.
Fluticasone propionate is metabolized in the liver by cytochrome P450 3A4-mediated hydrolysis of the 5-fluoromethyl carbothiolate grouping. This transformation occurs in 1 metabolic step to produce the inactive 17β-carboxylic acid metabolite, the only known metabolite detected in man. This metabolite has approximately 2000 times less affinity than the parent drug for the glucocorticoid receptor of human lung cytosol in vitro and negligible pharmacological activity in animal studies. Other metabolites detected in vitro using cultured human hepatoma cells have not been detected in man.

13. Nonclinical Toxicology

13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

In an oral (gavage) mouse carcinogenicity study, doses of 0.1, 0.3 and 1 mg/kg/day fluticasone propionate were administered to mice for 18 months. Fluticasone propionate demonstrated no tumorigenic potential at oral doses up to 1 mg/kg/day (less than the MRHD in adults based on body surface area comparisons) in this study.
In a dermal mouse carcinogenicity study, 0.05% fluticasone propionate ointment (40 μl) was topically administered for 1, 3 or 7 days/week for 80 weeks. Fluticasone propionate demonstrated no tumorigenic potential at dermal doses up to 6.7 μg/kg/day (less than the MRHD in adults based on body surface area comparisons) in this study.
Fluticasone propionate revealed no evidence of mutagenic or clastogenic potential based on the results of five in vitro genotoxicity tests (Ames assay, E. coli fluctuation test, S. cerevisiae gene conversion test, Chinese hamster ovary cell chromosome aberration assay and human lymphocyte chromosome aberration assay) and one in vivo genotoxicity test (mouse micronucleus assay).
No evidence of impairment of fertility or effect on mating performance was observed in a fertility and general reproductive performance study conducted in male and female rats at subcutaneous doses up to 50 μg/kg/day (less than the MRHD in adults based on body surface area comparisons).

16. How is Cutivate supplied

CUTIVATE® (fluticasone propionate) Ointment, 0.005% is a white to off-white translucent ointment supplied as follows: supplied as follows:

30 gram tubes NDC 10337-333-30
60 gram tubes NDC 10337-333-60

Store between 2° and 30°C (36° and 86° F).

17. Patient Counseling Information

Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Patient Information).

Advise the patient:

Avoid contact with the eyes.
Do not bandage the treated skin area, or cover or wrap it to cause occlusion unless directed by the healthcare provider.
Report any signs of local adverse reaction to their healthcare provider.
Do not use on the face, underarms, or groin areas unless directed by the healthcare provider.
Manufactured by:

PharmaDerm®
A division of
Fougera
PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
Melville, New York 11747
www.pharmaderm.com

46156942A
Revised: February 2015
#144

PATIENT INFORMATION CUTIVATE® (CUE' ti vāt) (fluticasone propionate) Ointment, 0.005%

Important: CUTIVATE® Ointment is for use on skin only (topical).
Do not get CUTIVATE® Ointment near or in your eyes, mouth, or vagina.

Read this Patient Information before you start using CUTIVATE® Ointment and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or treatment.

What is CUTIVATE® Ointment?
CUTIVATE® Ointment is a prescription corticosteroid medicine used on the skin (topical) for the relief of inflammation and itching caused by certain skin conditions in adults.
It is not known if CUTIVATE® Ointment is safe and effective in children.
CUTIVATE® Ointment is not recommended for use in children.

Before using CUTIVATE® Ointment, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

have an allergy to any of the ingredients in CUTIVATE® Ointment
have a skin infection at the site to be treated. You may also need medicine to treat the skin infection.
have adrenal gland problems
have liver problems
have diabetes
have thinning skin (atrophy) at the site to be treated
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if CUTIVATE® Ointment will harm your unborn baby.
are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if CUTIVATE® Ointment can pass into your breast milk and harm your baby.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take other corticosteroid medicines by mouth or use other products on your skin that contain corticosteroids.

How should I use CUTIVATE® Ointment?

Use CUTIVATE® Ointment exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it.
Apply a thin film of CUTIVATE® Ointment to the affected area 2 times each day. Gently rub into your skin.
Do not bandage, cover, or wrap the treated area unless your healthcare provider tells you to.
Do not use CUTIVATE® Ointment on your face, groin, underarms (armpits), unless your healthcare provider tells you to.
Wash your hands after applying CUTIVATE® Ointment, unless your hands are being treated.
Tell your healthcare provider if your symptoms get worse with CUTIVATE® Ointment or if your symptoms do not improve after 2 weeks of treatment.

What are possible side effects with CUTIVATE® Ointment?
CUTIVATE® Ointment may cause serious side effects, including:

CUTIVATE® Ointment can pass through your skin and may cause adrenal gland problems. This is more likely to happen if you use CUTIVATE® Ointment for too long, use it over a large treatment area, use it with other topical medicines that contain corticosteroids, cover the treated area, or have liver failure. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your adrenal gland function during and after treatment with CUTIVATE® Ointment.
Skin problems, including skin reactions or thinning of your skin (atrophy), skin infections, and allergic reactions (allergic contact dermatitis) at the treatment site. Tell your healthcare provider if you get any skin reactions such as pain, tenderness, swelling, or healing problems.

The most common side effects of CUTIVATE® Ointment include itching, burning, excessive hair growth, skin redness, hives, and lightheadedness.
These are not all the possible side effects with CUTIVATE® Ointment. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

How should I store CUTIVATE® Ointment?

Store CUTIVATE® Ointment between 36°F to 86°F (2°C to 30°C).

Keep CUTIVATE® Ointment and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about the safe and effective use of CUTIVATE® Ointment.
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use CUTIVATE® Ointment for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give CUTIVATE® Ointment to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about CUTIVATE® Ointment that is written for health professionals.

What are the ingredients in CUTIVATE® Ointment?
Active ingredient: fluticasone propionate
Inactive ingredients: liquid paraffin, microcrystalline wax, propylene glycol, and sorbitan sesquioleate

Manufactured by:
PharmaDerm®
A division of
Fougera
PHARMACEUTICAL INC.
Melville, New York 11747
www.pharmaderm.com

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

46156942A
Revised: February 2015
#144


PACKAGE LABEL – PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL – 30 g LABEL

PharmaDerm® NDC 10337-333-30

Cutivate®
(fluticasone propionate)
Ointment, 0.005%

For topical use only – Not for ophthalmic use.

Rx only

30 g

PACKAGE LABEL – PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL – 120 ML LABEL

PACKAGE LABEL – PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL – 30 g CARTON

PharmaDerm® NDC 10337-333-30

Cutivate®
(fluticasone propionate)
Ointment, 0.005%

For topical use only – Not for ophthalmic use.

Rx only

30 g

PACKAGE LABEL – PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL – 120 mL LABEL
CUTIVATE
fluticasone propionate ointment
Product Information
Product TypeHUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUGItem Code (Source)NDC:10337-333
Route of AdministrationTOPICAL
Active Ingredient/Active Moiety
Ingredient NameBasis of StrengthStrength
fluticasone propionate (UNII: O2GMZ0LF5W) (fluticasone - UNII:CUT2W21N7U) fluticasone propionate0.05 mg in 1 g
Inactive Ingredients
Ingredient NameStrength
PARAFFIN (UNII: I9O0E3H2ZE)
MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX (UNII: XOF597Q3KY)
PROPYLENE GLYCOL (UNII: 6DC9Q167V3)
SORBITAN SESQUIOLEATE (UNII: 0W8RRI5W5A)
Packaging
#Item CodePackage DescriptionMarketing Start DateMarketing End Date
1NDC:10337-333-3030 g in 1 TUBE; Type 0: Not a Combination Product12/14/1990
2NDC:10337-333-6060 g in 1 TUBE; Type 0: Not a Combination Product12/14/1990
Marketing Information
Marketing CategoryApplication Number or Monograph CitationMarketing Start DateMarketing End Date
NDANDA01995712/14/1990
Labeler - PharmaDerm a division of Fougera Pharmaceuticals Inc. (043838424)