Tri Luma Drug Information
Generic name: FLUOCINOLONE ACETONIDE, HYDROQUINONE, AND TRETINOIN
Corticosteroid [EPC] Melanin Synthesis Inhibitor [EPC] Retinoid [EPC]
Uses of Tri Luma
Indication
TRI-LUMA Cream is a combination of fluocinolone acetonide (a corticosteroid), hydroquinone (a melanin synthesis inhibitor), and tretinoin (a retinoid) that is indicated for the short-term treatment of moderate to severe melasma of the face, in the presence of measures for sun avoidance, including the use of sunscreens.
Limitations of Use
TRI-LUMA Cream is NOT indicated for the maintenance treatment of melasma. After achieving control with TRI-LUMA Cream, some patients may be managed with other treatments instead of triple therapy with TRI-LUMA Cream. Melasma usually recurs upon discontinuation of TRI-LUMA Cream.
The safety and efficacy of TRI-LUMA Cream in patients of Fitzpatrick Skin Types V and VI have not been studied. Excessive bleaching resulting in undesirable cosmetic effect in patients with darker skin cannot be excluded. The safety and efficacy of TRI-LUMA Cream in the treatment of hyperpigmentation conditions other than melasma of the face have not been studied.
Because pregnant and lactating women were excluded from, and women of childbearing potential had to use birth control measures in the clinical trials, the safety and efficacy of TRI-LUMA Cream in pregnant women and nursing mothers have not been established.
Dosage & Administration of Tri Luma
Apply a thin film of TRI-LUMA Cream to the effected area once daily, at least 30 minutes before bedtime. Gently wash the face and neck with a mild cleanser. Rinse and pat the skin dry.
Apply TRI-LUMA Cream to the hyperpigmented areas of melasma including about 1/2 inch of normal appearing skin surrounding each lesion. Rub lightly and uniformly into the skin. Therapy should be discontinued when control is achieved.
During the day, use a sunscreen of SPF 30, and wear protective clothing. Avoid sunlight exposure. Patients may use moisturizers and/or cosmetics during the day.
TRI-LUMA Cream is for topical use only. It is not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use. Apply a thin film to the affected area once daily, at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
During the day, use a sunscreen of SPF 30, and wear protective clothing. Avoid sunlight exposure.
Side Effects of Tri Luma
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 clinical practice. In the controlled clinical trials, adverse events were monitored in the 161 subjects who used TRI-LUMA Cream once daily during an 8-week treatment period. There were 102 (63%) subjects who experienced at least one treatment-related adverse event during these trials.
The most frequently reported events were erythema, desquamation, burning, dryness, and pruritus at the site of application. The majority of these events were mild to moderate in severity. Adverse events reported by at least 1% of patients and judged by the investigators to be reasonably related to treatment with TRI-LUMA Cream from the controlled clinical trials are summarized (in decreasing order of frequency) as follows: Table 1. Incidence and Frequency of Treatment-related Adverse Events with TRI-LUMA Cream in at least 1% or more of Subjects (N=161) Adverse Event n (%) Erythema 66 (41%) Desquamation 61 (38%) Burning 29 (18%) Dryness 23 (14%) Pruritus 18 (11%) Acne 8 (5%) Paresthesia 5 (3%) Telangiectasia 5 (3%) Hyperesthesia 3 (2%) Pigmentary changes 3 (2%) Irritation 3 (2%) Papules 2 (1%) Acne-like rash 1 (1%) Rosacea 1 (1%) Dry Mouth 1 (1%) Rash 1 (1%) Vesicles 1 (1%) In an open-label trial, subjects who had cumulative treatment of melasma with TRI-LUMA Cream for 6 months showed a similar pattern of adverse events as in the 8-week studies.
The following local adverse reactions have been reported with topical corticosteroids. They may occur more frequently with the use of occlusive dressings, especially with higher potency corticosteroids. These reactions are listed in an approximate decreasing order of occurrence: burning, itching, irritation, dryness, folliculitis, acneiform eruptions, hypopigmentation, perioral dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, secondary infection, skin atrophy, striae, and miliaria.
Most common adverse reactions (incidence > 5%) are erythema, desquamation, burning, dryness, pruritus, and acne. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Galderma Laboratories, L.P. at 1-866-735-4137 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Warnings & Cautions for Tri Luma
Hypersensitivity
TRI-LUMA Cream contains sodium metabisulfite, a sulfite that may cause allergic-type reactions including anaphylactic symptoms and life-threatening asthmatic episodes in susceptible individuals. If anaphylaxis, asthma or other clinically significant hypersensitivity reactions occur, institute appropriate therapy and discontinue TRI-LUMA. Allergic contact dermatitis may also occur.
Exogenous Ochronosis
TRI-LUMA Cream contains hydroquinone, which may produce exogenous ochronosis, a gradual blue-black darkening of the skin, the occurrence of which should prompt discontinuation of therapy. The majority of patients developing this condition are Black, but it may also occur in Caucasians and Hispanics.
Effects on Endocrine System
TRI-LUMA Cream contains the corticosteroid fluocinolone acetonide. Systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids can produce reversible hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression with the potential for glucocorticosteroid insufficiency after withdrawal of treatment. Manifestations of Cushing’s syndrome, hyperglycemia, and glucosuria can also be produced by systemic absorption of topical corticosteroid while on treatment.
If HPA axis suppression is noted, the use of TRI-LUMA Cream should be discontinued. Recovery of HPA axis function generally occurs upon discontinuation of topical corticosteroids. The ACTH or cosyntropin stimulation test may be helpful in evaluating patients for HPA axis suppression.
Cutaneous Reactions Cutaneous hypersensitivity to the active ingredients of
TRI-LUMA Cream has been reported in the literature. In a patch test study to determine sensitization potential in 221 healthy volunteers, three volunteers developed sensitivity reactions to TRI-LUMA Cream or its components. TRI-LUMA Cream contains hydroquinone and tretinoin that may cause mild to moderate irritation.
Local irritation, such as skin reddening, peeling, mild burning sensation, dryness, and pruritus may be expected at the site of application. Transient skin reddening or mild burning sensation does not preclude treatment. If a reaction suggests hypersensitivity or chemical irritation, the use of the medication should be discontinued.
Patients should avoid medicated or abrasive soaps and cleansers, soaps and cosmetics with drying effects, products with high concentrations of alcohol and astringents, and other irritants or keratolytic drugs while on TRI-LUMA Cream treatment. Patients are cautioned on concomitant use of medications that are known to be photosensitizing.
Pregnancy Safety for Tri Luma
- Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects: Pregnancy Category C There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. TRI-LUMA Cream should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. TRI-LUMA Cream contains the teratogen, tretinoin, which may cause embryo-fetal death, altered fetal growth, congenital malformations, and potential neurologic deficits. In clinical trials involving TRI-LUMA Cream in the treatment of facial melasma, women of child-bearing potential initiated treatment only after having had a negative pregnancy test and used effective birth control measures during therapy. However, 13 women became pregnant during treatment with TRI-LUMA Cream. Most of the pregnancy outcomes are unknown. Three women gave birth to apparently healthy babies. One pregnancy was terminated prematurely, and another ended in miscarriage. In general, use of drugs should be reduced to a minimum in pregnancy. If a patient has been inadvertently exposed to TRI-LUMA Cream in pregnancy, she should be counseled on the risk of teratogenesis due to this exposure. The risk of teratogenesis due to topical exposure to TRI-LUMA Cream may be considered low. However, exposure during the period of organogenesis in the first trimester is theoretically more likely to produce adverse outcome than in later pregnancy. Tretinoin is considered to be highly teratogenic upon systemic administration. Animal reproductive studies are not available with topical hydroquinone. Corticosteroids have been shown to be teratogenic in laboratory animals when administered systemically at relatively low dosage levels. Some corticosteroids have been shown to be teratogenic after dermal application in laboratory animals.
- In a dermal application study using TRI-LUMA Cream in pregnant rabbits, there was an increase in the number of in utero deaths and a decrease in fetal weights in litters from dams treated topically with the drug product.
- In a dermal application study in pregnant rats treated with TRI-LUMA Cream during organogenesis there was evidence of teratogenicity of the type expected with tretinoin. These morphological alterations included cleft palate, protruding tongue, open eyes, umbilical hernia, and retinal folding or dysplasia.
- In a dermal application study on the gestational and postnatal effects of a 10-fold dilution of TRI-LUMA Cream in rats, an increase in the number of stillborn pups, lower pup body weights, and delay in preputial separation were observed. An increase in overall activity was seen in some treated litters at postnatal day 22 and in all treated litters at five weeks, a pattern consistent with effects previously noted in animals exposed in utero with retinoic acids. No adequate study of the late gestational and postnatal effects of the full-strength TRI-LUMA Cream has been performed.
- It is difficult to interpret these animal studies on teratogenicity with TRI-LUMA Cream, because the availability of the dermal applications in these studies could not be assured, and comparison with clinical dosing is not possible.
Pediatric Use of Tri Luma
Pediatric use Safety and effectiveness of TRI-LUMA Cream in pediatric patients have not been established.
Contraindications for Tri Luma
TRI-LUMA Cream is contraindicated in individuals with a history of hypersensitivity to this product or any of its components. TRI-LUMA Cream is contraindicated in individuals with a history of hypersensitivity to this product or any of its components.
Clinical Studies of Tri Luma
Two adequate and well-controlled efficacy and safety trials were conducted in 641 subjects between the ages of 21 to 75 years, having Fitzpatrick Skin types I-IV and moderate to severe melasma of the face. TRI-LUMA Cream was compared with 3 possible combinations of 2 of the 3 active ingredients, contained in the same vehicle as TRI-LUMA Cream. Subjects were instructed to apply their study medication each night, after washing their face with a mild soapless cleanser, for 8 weeks.
Instructions were given to apply a thin layer of study medication to the hyperpigmented lesion, making sure to cover the entire lesion including the outside borders extending to the normal pigmented skin. Subjects were provided a mild moisturizer for use as needed. A sunscreen with SPF 30 was also provided with instructions for daily use.
Protective clothing and avoidance of sunlight exposure to the face was recommended. Subjects were evaluated for melasma severity at Baseline and at Weeks 1, 2, 4, and 8 of treatment. Primary efficacy was based on the proportion of subjects who had an investigators’ assessment of treatment success, defined as the clearing of melasma at the end of the eight-week treatment period.
The majority of subjects enrolled in the two trials were white (approximately 66%) and female (approximately 98%). TRI-LUMA Cream was demonstrated to be significantly more effective than any of the other combinations of the active ingredients. PRIMARY EFFICACY ANALYSIS: Table 2. Investigators' Assessment of Treatment Success Treatment success was defined as melasma severity score of zero (melasma lesions cleared of hyperpigmentation) At the End of 8 Weeks of Treatment TRI-LUMA HQ+RA FA+RA FA+HQ Trial 1 Subjects, n 85 83 85 85 Successes, n 32 12 0 3 Proportion of Successes 38% 15% 0 4% p-value ‹ 0.001 ‹ 0.001 ‹ 0.001 Trial 2 Subjects, n 76 75 76 76 Successes, n 10 3 3 1 Proportion of Successes 13% 4% 4% 1% p-value 0.045 0.042 0.005 p-value is from Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel chi-square statistics controlling for pooled investigator and comparing TRI-LUMA Cream to the other treatment groups. In the Investigators’ assessment of melasma severity at Day 56 of treatment, the following table shows the clinical improvement profile for all subjects treated with TRI-LUMA Cream based on severity of their melasma at the start of treatment.
Table 3. Investigators' Assessment of Change in Melasma Severity from Baseline to Day 56 of Treatment (combined results from trials 1 and 2) Number (%) of Subjects at Day 56 Assessment based on subjects with severity scores at Day 56. Percentages are bases on the total number in the treatment group population. Baseline Cleared Does not include subjects who cleared before Day 56 or were missing from the Day 56 Assessment Mild Moderate Severe Missing Severity Rating n n (%) n (%) n (%) n (%) n (%) TRI-LUMA Cream N=161 Moderate 124 36 63 18 0 7 Severe 37 6 19 9 2 1 Assessment Scale: Cleared (melasma lesions approximately equivalent to surrounding normal skin or with minimal residual hyperpigmentation); Mild (slightly darker than the surrounding normal skin); Moderate (moderately darker than the surrounding normal skin); Severe (markedly darker than the surrounding normal skin). Subjects experienced improvement of their melasma with the use of TRI-LUMA Cream as early as 4 weeks. However, among 7 subjects who had clearing at the end of 4 weeks of treatment with TRI-LUMA Cream, 4 of them did not maintain the remission after an additional 4 weeks of treatment.
After 8 weeks of treatment with the trial drug, subjects entered into an open-label extension period in which TRI-LUMA Cream was given on an as-needed basis for the treatment of melasma. The remission periods appeared to shorten between progressive courses of treatment. Additionally, few subjects maintained complete clearing of melasma (approximately 1 to 2%).
Drug information sourced from the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making any medication decisions.
Ready to save on Tri Luma?
Compare prescription prices at over 70,000 pharmacies and start saving today—no enrollment required.
Compare Tri Luma Prices