VETERINARY TEAM REFERENCE

DEA & state schedules

Scheduling applies to the medication, not to the patient. This independent reference is not affiliated with the DEA.

Fluocinolone acetonide + dimethyl sulfoxide

FEDERAL STATUS

Not federally scheduled

The identified ingredients in this entry are not listed in the reviewed federal schedules. Prescription-only status, product restrictions and state law are separate questions.

Federal source ↗

State / prescribing or dispensing jurisdiction

STATE STATUS

Select a jurisdiction

Choose the state relevant to prescribing or dispensing. Patient residence alone may not determine every applicable rule.

What each federal schedule means

Highlighted rows match the verified federal or selected state schedule. The schedule describes legal control and abuse potential; it does not rank clinical usefulness or establish a dose.

Federal Schedules I–V: meaning and practice implications
Schedule	Meaning and practice
I	High abuse potential; no currently accepted medical use in U.S. treatment; lacks accepted safety under medical supervision. In practice: Not available for routine veterinary prescribing. Authorized research is a separate pathway.
II	High abuse potential; accepted medical use, sometimes with severe restrictions; abuse can cause severe dependence. In practice: No prescription refills under federal law. Strict prescribing, security and record requirements apply.
III	Less abuse potential than I or II; accepted medical use; abuse can cause moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence. In practice: Federal prescriptions allow up to five authorized refills within six months. State rules may be stricter.
IV	Lower abuse potential than III; accepted medical use; limited dependence risk relative to III. In practice: The same federal five-refill / six-month prescription limit applies. Controlled-drug handling still applies.
V	Lower abuse potential than IV; accepted medical use; limited dependence risk relative to IV. In practice: Still controlled. Check authorized refills and state limits; do not automatically apply the III–IV refill rule.

What this means for the chart

For a controlled medication, confirm the prescriber’s authority for the applicable schedule, the exact formulation and quantity, authorized refills, secure handling, and required inventory / dispensing records. Check the state’s veterinary rules and any prescription monitoring program (PDMP) requirements or exemptions.

A PDMP reporting requirement does not by itself make a drug scheduled. “Not federally scheduled” does not mean over the counter, risk-free, or exempt from state law. States may use additional categories, such as Schedule VI, outside the federal I–V system.

← Medication & Supplement Reference

VETERINARY TEAM REFERENCE · MEDICATION

Fluocinolone acetonide + dimethyl sulfoxide

A corticosteroid–DMSO ear solution identified by Synotic. The label covers relief of itching and inflammation associated with acute or chronic otitis in dogs; it does not supply an antibiotic ingredient.

Topical corticosteroid–penetration-enhancer combinationProduct-specific clinical reference

Updated October 16, 2026 · Sources and review status below

For veterinarians and veterinary staff. Product-label information is distinct from extra-label clinical practice. This is not a complete prescribing formulary or an automated interaction screen. Verify the current label, exact formulation, patient and species-specific clinical reference before use. Independent veterinary/pharmacy review remains pending.

Prescribing overview

Synotic treats canine otic itch and inflammation, not infection itself. DMSO increases steroid penetration, making systemic corticosteroid risks relevant despite local administration.

Key prescribing checks

Do not use DMSO preparations in pregnant animals; the label includes embryo and fetal safety warnings.
Evaluate infected ears and ensure appropriate antimicrobial support when indicated.
Avoid bare-hand and eye contact. Hearing or vestibular changes require immediate reassessment; other medicines should not be present at the application site.

Uses by species

Approval and evidence apply to the named product, species, route and indication. An extra-label use requires its own prescribing assessment; a human indication is not an animal approval.

Dogs

FDA-approved Synotic indication

Pruritus and inflammation associated with acute/chronic otitis

Ear canal only; infected ears need evaluation and appropriate antimicrobial support.

Use / indication source ↗

Pharmacology & pharmacokinetics

Mechanism and clinical role

Fluocinolone suppresses inflammation; DMSO enhances percutaneous absorption.

Absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination

No quantitative canine PK parameters are provided in the reviewed label.

SAFETY REFERENCE · PRODUCT & SPECIES SPECIFIC

Contraindications & cautions

Contraindications identify circumstances where the source says a product should not be used. Precautions call for assessment or monitoring. Interactions identify combinations to review. They are distinct categories; this summary does not replace a full interaction check or the current product label.

Synotic

U.S. dog ear-canal solution label.

Contraindications · when not to use

The label contraindicates use when systemic corticosteroids would be dangerous.

Precautions & monitoring

Do not use DMSO preparations during pregnancy. Generalized infection requires appropriate antimicrobial support; stop and reassess hearing or vestibular changes.

Safety sources checked: October 16, 2026. Selected label information; independent veterinary or veterinary-pharmacy review remains pending. A label for dogs, cats, horses or humans does not establish safety for another species.

Adverse effects

Stinging, sensitization, adrenal suppression and hearing loss are described; DMSO may cause transient garlic-like breath.

These are selected source-reported effects, not incidence estimates or an exhaustive list. Spontaneous postmarketing reports do not by themselves establish frequency or causality.

Dosing & administration

Verify the source before prescribing. The regimens below summarize selected veterinary product labels, not every accepted veterinary use. They are not automatic substitutions between brands or formulations. Renal/hepatic disease, concurrent therapy, age, indication and clinical response can require a different plan.

Selected product-label regimens — not a patient-specific prescription
Species & indication	Labeled regimen	Eligibility & source
DogsLabeled otitis-associated pruritus/inflammationSynotic otic solution	4–6 drops (0.2 mL) per ear Into ear canal · Twice daily Maximum 14 days	Total treatment quantity must not exceed 17 mL. Clean canal first; massage gently after instillation. Verify full dosing label ↗

Do not use during pregnancy or where systemic corticosteroids would be dangerous.

Extra-label prescribing and food-animal residue requirements are separate from labeled regimens. FDA extra-label-use guidance ↗

Drug & supplement interactions

This is a selected interaction reference, not an automated or comprehensive combination checker. Reconcile prescription drugs, nonprescription products, supplements and recent treatment changes.

Synotic

U.S. dog ear-canal solution label.

DMSO enhances absorption; other medicines must not be present at the application site.

Interaction source ↗

Monitoring

Reassess infection, hearing and vestibular function.

Client counseling

Stop and contact the veterinarian for hearing/balance changes. Avoid eyes and bare-hand contact.

This section supports the veterinary team's discharge discussion; it does not replace the product’s Client Information Sheet where one is required.

Storage & handling

Avoid contact with treated ears until dry; DMSO can damage some materials.

Brands, formulations & ingredient identity

Active ingredients

Fluocinolone acetonide · Dimethyl sulfoxide

Other searchable names: DMSO · Synotic otic

Synotic contains two ingredients; it is not plain fluocinolone or an antibiotic–steroid ear combination.

The labeled route is topical application to the dog’s ear canal only.

DMSO can enhance absorption, so a topical route does not eliminate systemic corticosteroid concerns.

Shared ingredients do not establish interchangeable concentrations, routes, release properties, species labeling or regional availability.

Synotic

Formulation: Otic solution
Label / product scope: Dogs

Dog ear-canal product only; no antibiotic active ingredient.

Product label / source ↗

References & review status

Clinical reference updated October 16, 2026. Independent veterinary or veterinary-pharmacy review not yet completed. Evidence gaps remain explicitly identified; this page does not claim equivalence to a comprehensive, professionally reviewed veterinary formulary.

01DailyMed: Synotic otic solution ↗

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Prescribing overview

Key prescribing checks

Uses by species

Dogs

Pharmacology & pharmacokinetics

Mechanism and clinical role

Absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination

Contraindications & cautions

Contraindications · when not to use

Precautions & monitoring

Adverse effects

Dosing & administration

Drug & supplement interactions

Synotic

Monitoring

Client counseling

Storage & handling

Brands, formulations & ingredient identity

Active ingredients

Synotic

References & review status

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