Pevisone

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Pevisone

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Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 10/01/2026

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Pevisone

What is Pevisone? (Econazole and Triamcinolone Acetonide)

Property Description
Active Ingredients Econazole nitrate, Triamcinolone Acetonide
Form Cream (Topical preparation)
Pharmacological Class Combination Topical Antifungal and Corticosteroid
Origin Synthetic

Pevisone is a prescription-only fixed-dose combination topical preparation classified within the Combination Topical Antifungal and Corticosteroid pharmacological class, designed for direct application to the skin. It is defined by its structure, merging two distinct pharmaceutical agents into a single cream base intended for dermatological use. The specific fixed ratio of the azole antifungal Econazole nitrate and the glucocorticoid Triamcinolone Acetonide is a key differentiating factor in managing skin inflammation complicated by infection, a recognized approach in dermatological practice.

As a combination product, Pevisone belongs to the general class of anti-infectives with corticosteroids, addressing skin conditions where both microbial presence and inflammatory response are significant issues. Unlike monotherapy treatments, which contain only one type of active ingredient, Pevisone delivers a dual action through the topical route of administration, simplifying the management of complex skin processes.


Pevisone's Active Components: Antifungal and Steroid

The cream's composition includes two synthetic active ingredients: Econazole nitrate and Triamcinolone Acetonide, which provide the drug's dual functionality. Econazole nitrate is an azole antifungal that works by inhibiting ergosterol synthesis in fungal cell membranes. Triamcinolone Acetonide is a mid-potency topical corticosteroid that manages the skin's reaction.

This specific combination means the product is neither solely an antifungal nor solely a steroid; it is a fixed mix containing both. The Econazole is included to inhibit fungal cell growth, and the Triamcinolone Acetonide component is included to provide anti-inflammatory and antipruritic effects, which are necessary to relieve the often severe discomfort accompanying skin infections.


What is the General Purpose of This Dual-Action Cream?

The general purpose of Pevisone is to provide concurrent relief from inflammatory symptoms and control the associated fungal infection on the skin. This dual approach helps to both manage discomfort and address the microbial cause within a single application.

The core benefit is its ability to treat conditions where the two pathologies coexist, allowing the product to deliver both the necessary antifungal activity and the profound anti-inflammatory action. The use of such fixed-dose combinations is clinically recognized for managing inflammatory skin conditions complicated by infection. This combined application generally helps to relieve local symptoms such as redness, swelling, and intense itching, fostering a quicker resolution of the skin condition.

Regulatory References

  1. DailyMed: Econazole Nitrate Cream Label
  2. DailyMed: Triamcinolone Acetonide Cream Label

What side effects are possible with Pevisone?

Possible side effects and safety information

Official regulatory documents classify the safety profile of Pevisone cream based on documented adverse reactions and the potential for systemic effects from the corticosteroid component.

Frequency-Classified Adverse Reactions

The most frequently reported effects are localized to the application site, categorized in regulatory labeling as Common (occurring in ge 1/100 to < 1/10 individuals). These include pruritus (itching), a skin burning sensation, erythema (redness), and localized pain.

Reactions categorized as Uncommon (ge 1/1,000 to < 1/100) include local discomfort and swelling. Other reactions, such as hypersensitivity, contact dermatitis, rash, skin atrophy (thinning), and telangiectasia (spider veins), have also been documented, but their frequency is Not Known (cannot be estimated from available data).

Serious Adverse Reactions and Safety Constraints

The most serious documented safety concerns relate to the systemic absorption of the corticosteroid component (Triamcinolone Acetonide). Significant absorption, often increased by application to large surface areas or under occlusive dressings, may potentially lead to Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis suppression or Cushing's syndrome.

Regulatory documents highlight that this systemic risk is a specific concern for pediatric use, as children may have greater susceptibility to these effects due to their larger skin surface area to body weight ratio. The product is not recommended during pregnancy and is contraindicated for use in specific viral skin infections, such as herpes simplex or varicella, or near the periorbital region due to risks like glaucoma.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and when to seek help

The official regulatory documents specify the potential risks associated with exposure to Pevisone cream in amounts exceeding normal use. The overdose profile is defined by two primary concerns: systemic effects from excessive topical absorption and acute symptoms following accidental oral ingestion.


Overdose Manifestations and Risks

Excessive or prolonged topical application, particularly over large or damaged skin areas, may result in sufficient systemic absorption of the corticosteroid component to cause HPA-axis suppression and adrenal suppression. These systemic effects can lead to manifestations of Cushing’s syndrome, and laboratory findings may include hyperglycemia and glucosuria.

In the event of accidental ingestion of the cream, symptoms documented in regulatory safety data include nausea, vomiting, headache, and dizziness.


When to Seek Immediate Help

Pediatric patients are identified as having a greater susceptibility to systemic toxicity. Severe complications in children, associated with excessive absorption, include manifestations of intracranial hypertension.

Regulatory authorities mandate that you seek immediate medical attention or contact a Poison Control Center immediately if accidental ingestion of Pevisone cream occurs. There is no specific antidote known; management is required to be symptomatic and supportive, often including periodic HPA-axis monitoring for suspected systemic exposure.

Therapeutic Uses of Pevisone

The product is commonly used in dermatological contexts where inflammation and fungal infection coexist, helping address symptoms related to both concerns. The use of a topical steroid component is generally relevant for easing redness and itching, which may be symptoms associated with acute or episodic changes.

Management of Inflammatory Fungal Rashes

This combination cream is commonly used across conditions presenting with acute episodes of fungal skin infections that involve inflammatory or irritative processes. This medication is commonly applied in addressing symptomatic manifestations such as Tinea infections (including athlete's foot and jock itch), Eczematous Mycoses, and Inflammatory Intertrigo when symptoms related to inflammatory or irritative states are present. It is relevant in contexts marked by increased discomfort or tension, as it is applied across domains where additional symptomatic support is needed.

Quick Fact: Relief for Intense Pruritus (Itching)

Pevisone is applied when symptoms create noticeable physiological strain, focusing on symptoms related to inflammatory or irritative states, such as intense itching (pruritus), significant redness (erythema), and local swelling. The anti-inflammatory component is used for managing these pronounced symptoms, supporting the patient during difficult episodes by easing distress. This supportive relief contributes to improved comfort during periods of heightened symptoms.

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Pevisone is an antifungal and corticosteroid combination medicine with specific constraints on who may use it, as defined in official regulatory documents.

Who Must Not Use Pevisone (Contraindications)

Use of Pevisone is contraindicated and must be avoided for patients who have:

  • A known hypersensitivity or allergy to econazole nitrate, triamcinolone acetonide, or any of the product's excipients.
  • Specific skin conditions caused by infections, including viral infections (such as herpes simplex, varicella/chickenpox) or tuberculosis skin lesions.
  • Any fresh vaccination sites on the skin.
  • Children less than 3 months of age.

Populations Requiring Special Consideration

Official labeling defines restricted use for certain populations due to potential risks:

  • Pregnancy and Lactation: Pevisone is not recommended for use during pregnancy, especially the first trimester, and women taking the medicine should not breastfeed their infants. Use during pregnancy is generally restricted to cases where the potential benefit is judged to outweigh the possible risks.
  • Pediatric Use: Use in infants and young children requires caution and should be limited due to a higher risk of systemic absorption and potential for HPA axis suppression (adrenal gland suppression). Prolonged therapy should be avoided in children.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Pevisone Cream contains econazole nitrate and triamcinolone acetonide, and its interaction profile must be considered based on both components.

Documented Pharmacokinetic Interactions

Official documents report that the econazole nitrate component is a known inhibitor of certain liver enzymes, specifically CYP3A4 and CYP2C9. Following application to the skin, clinically relevant interactions have been reported with oral anticoagulants, which are metabolized by these enzymes. Products like warfarin and acenocoumarol are explicitly mentioned.

Clinical and Procedural Constraints

  • Oral Anticoagulants: If used concurrently with this product, patients must have their prothrombin time (INR) carefully monitored due to the potential for an altered anticoagulant effect.
  • Fluoroquinolones and Corticosteroids: Concomitant treatment with a fluoroquinolone antibiotic and the corticosteroid component (triamcinolone) should be avoided due to an increased risk of tendon damage. Patients at higher risk for this complication, such as the elderly, those with kidney issues, or organ transplant recipients, should heed this restriction.

Regulatory information defines the product’s interaction structure by highlighting two mechanisms: an enzyme inhibition-based constraint requiring monitoring of coagulation, and an additive risk constraint with fluoroquinolones that necessitates avoidance.

Mechanism of Action

Pevisone is a combination drug whose pharmacodynamics are driven by two distinct mechanisms. Econazole nitrate, an imidazole derivative, targets the fungal cell membrane structure. It functions as an inhibitor of lanosterol 14-alpha demethylase, a cytochrome P450 enzyme critical in the biosynthesis pathway that converts lanosterol to ergosterol, an essential membrane sterol. The resulting depletion of ergosterol, alongside the accumulation of toxic sterol intermediates, increases the fungal membrane's permeability and compromises its structural integrity, leading to leakage of intracellular components and cell dysfunction.

Triamcinolone acetonide, a synthetic glucocorticoid, acts as an agonist for the intracellular glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Upon binding to the cytosolic GR, the ligand-receptor complex translocates to the nucleus. This complex modulates gene transcription primarily through transrepression, where it physically interacts with and suppresses the activity of proinflammatory transcription factors such as Nuclear Factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) and Activator Protein-1 (AP-1). This interaction diminishes the transcription of numerous downstream inflammatory mediators, including cytokines and chemokines, resulting in systemic-level vasoconstriction and decreased cellular migration to the site of application.

Dosage and Administration Information

How Pevisone is Used

The application of Pevisone Cream (Econazole nitrate / Triamcinolone Acetonide) follows strict regulatory guidelines to define the proper use of the combination antifungal and corticosteroid components. This medicine is a topical preparation and is designed for external use only on the skin. It must not be introduced into the eyes or taken orally.


Official Administration Schedule

Administration Domain Official Guideline
Route of Administration For external, topical use only.
Dosing Frequency Maximum frequency of two times daily.
Application Amount Applied sparingly to the affected area.
Maximum Duration Restricted to a short course that must not exceed 2 weeks.

Procedural and Population Constraints

The standard regimen involves applying the cream gently, preferably once in the morning and once in the evening. Following the 2-week limit, continued antifungal management requires switching to a preparation containing econazole alone for non-corticosteroid therapy.

Special procedural conditions must be observed. The cream should not be applied under occlusive dressings or any covering that seals the skin, which includes tight-fitting diapers in pediatric use. Application must also avoid large surface areas of the body and sensitive regions like the face and skin creases. For pediatric patients, usage is limited to the shortest possible duration, generally less than 2 weeks, and should cover less than 10% of the child’s total body surface area.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research evidence / Overview of studies for Pevisone

The evidence base for the combination of Econazole and Triamcinolone Acetonide has been gathered through clinical trials and scientific reviews. These studies primarily focus on examining the measured outcomes associated with the two components when used together, compared to the antifungal agent used alone, in research contexts involving skin conditions where both microbial presence and inflammation are observed.


Evidence for Inflammatory Fungal Skin Conditions

This section summarizes the research that was studied for the combination cream in common fungal skin infections, such as tinea infections and eczematous mycoses, where symptoms linked to inflammatory or irritative states are present.

Study Designs and Measured Outcomes

Research for these conditions includes short-term Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews. The research examined primary measurements such as clinical cure (assessed through the measured absence of visible physical signs) and mycological cure (assessed through the laboratory monitoring of the fungal pathogen). Systematic reviews that pooled data from trials reported measurements of clinical cure rates that were compared between the combination and antifungal monotherapy in some endpoints.

Evidence for Otomycosis (Fungal Ear Infection)

Research has explored the use of this combination in specific anatomical areas, particularly for otomycosis, a fungal infection of the external ear canal. One large prospective trial reported that the measured cure rate was observed to vary based on whether the cream was applied by a clinician or self-applied by the patient. The recurrence rate was also monitored in the study and varied based on the application method.

Research Gaps and Areas of Uncertainty

Studies for this topical product are generally relevant in trials assessing short-term or episodic symptom patterns. The majority of clinical trials conducted for the combination product restrict the treatment and observation period to a short duration, often no longer than two weeks. Due to this typical study duration for the treatment, there is limited information for long-term outcomes that track continuous use over extended periods. For the general inflammatory fungal dermatoses, the evidence quality for the foundational studies is limited, with systematic reviews citing that sample sizes were modest and suggesting that certainty remains low due to heterogeneity across studies.

Key Studies & References

  1. A Comparison of Triamcinolone Acetonide Econazole Cream and Nystatin Suspension in Treatment of Otomycosis

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Pevisone (FAQ)

Q: What conditions is Pevisone typically prescribed for?

A: Official labeling describes the product as intended for use in inflammatory skin conditions that are complicated by a fungal infection, such as specific tinea infections and eczematous mycoses. The dual-action formula addresses both the microbial cause and the resulting inflammation.

Q: Is Pevisone considered a strong or mild topical medicine?

A: The corticosteroid component in Pevisone, triamcinolone acetonide, is officially classified as a mid-potency topical steroid. The potency of topical preparations is also influenced by the vehicle, such as the cream base, which can affect the overall absorption of the medicine.

Q: Does Pevisone cause any long-term skin changes?

A: Official documents note documented effects such as skin atrophy (thinning) and telangiectasia (spider veins). Due to the short-term focus of clinical trials for this product, regulatory information available regarding the effects of continuous use over extended periods is limited.

Q: What should I do if my skin condition does not improve after using Pevisone?

A: Regulatory documents note that the maximum specified duration for treatment with this product is 2 weeks. If symptoms persist or do not improve after this maximum duration, regulatory documents indicate that the standard next step for continued antifungal therapy is to use a preparation containing econazole alone, without the steroid component.

Q: Why is Pevisone contraindicated for certain viral conditions?

A: The restriction is based on the known effects of the corticosteroid component. Topical steroids are associated with an increased risk of dermatological superinfection or opportunistic infection. Therefore, the product is contraindicated (must not be used) for viral skin infections, such as herpes simplex or chickenpox.

Q: Can Pevisone be used on ringworm?

A: Official labeling and supporting clinical data describe this combination as studied for use in various inflammatory fungal skin infections, including tinea infections, which is the category ringworm (tinea corporis) falls under.

Q: Is Pevisone the same as using two separate creams?

A: No. Pevisone is officially defined as a prescription-only fixed-dose combination topical preparation. This means the two active ingredients, the antifungal and the steroid, are manufactured and packaged together in a single cream base at a fixed, consistent ratio.

Q: Does Pevisone affect blood sugar levels?

A: It is known that the corticosteroid component can be absorbed through the skin. Official information for corticosteroids indicates that systemic absorption carries the potential to increase blood glucose concentrations.

Q: What is the difference between Pevisone cream and an ointment?

A: Pevisone is defined in official documents as a cream. Regulatory standards note that cream and ointment bases can affect the absorption and strength of topical medicines, with ointments generally being thicker, more occlusive, and potentially leading to greater absorption.

Q: What happens if I accidentally apply Pevisone to broken skin?

A: Official warnings indicate that systemic absorption of the corticosteroid is increased by several factors, including application to damaged skin or over large surface areas. This increased absorption may raise the potential risk of systemic side effects.

Q: Does Pevisone interact with hormonal birth control?

A: Regulatory information indicates a potential indirect interaction. The corticosteroid component (triamcinolone) may increase the blood levels of estrogens found in hormonal birth control. This may potentially lead to an increase in the exposure to the corticosteroid component, which could raise the risk or severity of corticosteroid side effects.

How should Pevisone be stored and disposed of?

Pevisone Cream must be stored in accordance with official requirements to maintain its stability.

Storage Conditions

Requirement Official Statement
Temperature Store at or below 25 °C (77 °F).
Environment Must be stored in a dry place and protected from light.
Container Keep the product in its closed, original container.

Handling and Disposal

The cream's official shelf life is stated as 24 months for the unopened product.

It is a mandatory safety requirement that Pevisone Cream be kept out of the sight and reach of children.

For disposal, regulatory documents state no special requirements are necessary for the product itself. Any unused or expired cream must be discarded in accordance with local requirements for pharmaceutical waste.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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