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EspañolTriamcinolone Acetonide overview
BRAND NAMES:
DermacinRx Silazone PharmaPak, Kenalog, Oralone, Trianex, Triderm, Triesence, Ellzia Pak, NuTriaRx, Tri-Sila, Whytederm TDPak, Whytederm Trilasil Pak, Xipere, Zilretta
Generic Names:
Triamcinolone acetonide
Uses:
Treats skin itching, swelling, and redness
Reduces nasal congestion and drainage from allergies
Lessens joint pain and swelling
Treats systemic auto-immune and allergic conditions
Therapeutic Classes:
Corticosteroid
Forms:
Cream, lotion, ointment, skin spray, nasal spray, injectable solution
How it’s taken:
Applied on the skin
Sprayed into the nose
Injected into the joint or muscle
What is Triamcinolone Acetonide used for?
Triamcinolone acetonide is a medication used to treat arthritis, allergies, and various skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, and contact dermatitis. Triamcinolone acetonide belongs to a class of medications called corticosteroids, commonly referred to as “steroids.” This category quells the immune system’s contribution to these diseases, thereby reducing symptoms like swelling, pain, nasal congestion, rash, and itching.
Triamcinolone acetonide is a generic medication also sold under the brand names Kenalog, Trianex, Triderm, Oralone, Tritocin, and Nasacort. Triamcinolone acetonide can be administered topically on the skin, by injection, orally as a dental paste, or as a nasal spray.
Triamcinolone acetonide is available in a variety of forms in order to apply the anti-inflammatory steroid to the skin, nasal tissue, oral mucosa, joints, or systemically.
Topical versions of the drug can be obtained in cream, ointment, lotion, or spray formats, allowing you to find one that works best and applies easiest for your skin condition.
Getting the medical advice of your healthcare provider and following instructions for application, dosing, and duration are essential to maximizing effectiveness and minimizing the risk of side effects.
Systemic use of triamcinolone, particularly for extended times, has significant risks, so knowing the symptoms of serious adverse effects is of paramount importance.
What form(s) does Triamcinolone Acetonide come in
Cream
Lotion
Ointment
Skin spray
Nasal spray
Intra-articular, intravitreal, or intramuscular injection
What are common Triamcinolone Acetonide doses?
Tube of cream, ointment, or oral paste
15GM of 0.025% cream or ointment
80GM of 0.025% cream or ointment
5GM of 0.1% oral paste
15GM of 0.1% cream or ointment
30GM of 0.1% cream or ointment
80GM of 0.1% cream or ointment
15GM of 0.5% cream or ointment
Jar of cream or ointment
454GM of 0.025% cream or ointment
430GM of 0.05% ointment
453.6GM of 0.1% cream or ointment
454GM of 0.1% cream or ointment
Bottle of lotion or nasal spray
60ML of 0.025% lotion
60ML of 0.1% lotion
16.9ML of 55MCG/ACT nasal spray
Vial of injectable suspension
1ML of 40MG/ML suspension
5ML of 40MG/ML suspension
10ML of 40MG/ML suspension
Box of lotion
60ML of 0.025% lotion
60ML of 0.1% lotion
Can of topical spray
63GM of 0.147MG/GM solution
100GM of 0.147MG/GM solution
Common Triamcinolone Acetonide prescriptions
Triamcinolone Acetonide
16.5gm of 55mcg/act bottleTriamcinolone Acetonide
16.9ml of 55mcg/act bottleTriamcinolone Acetonide
60ml of 0.025% bottleTriamcinolone Acetonide
60ml of 0.1% bottleTriamcinolone Acetonide
60ml of 0.025% boxTriamcinolone Acetonide
60ml of 0.1% boxTriamcinolone Acetonide
100gm of 0.147mg/gm canTriamcinolone Acetonide
63gm of 0.147mg/gm canTriamcinolone Acetonide
453.6gm of 0.1% jarTriamcinolone Acetonide
454gm of 0.025% jarTriamcinolone Acetonide
454gm of 0.1% jarTriamcinolone Acetonide
15gm of 0.025% tubeTriamcinolone Acetonide
15gm of 0.1% tubeTriamcinolone Acetonide
15gm of 0.5% tubeTriamcinolone Acetonide
30gm of 0.1% tubeTriamcinolone Acetonide
5gm of 0.1% tubeTriamcinolone Acetonide
80gm of 0.025% tubeTriamcinolone Acetonide
80gm of 0.1% tubeTriamcinolone Acetonide
15gm of 0.025% tube of creamTriamcinolone Acetonide
15gm of 0.1% tube of creamTriamcinolone Acetonide
30gm of 0.1% tube of creamTriamcinolone Acetonide
80gm of 0.025% tube of creamTriamcinolone Acetonide
80gm of 0.1% tube of creamTriamcinolone Acetonide
15gm of 0.025% tube of ointmentTriamcinolone Acetonide
15gm of 0.1% tube of ointmentTriamcinolone Acetonide
80gm of 0.025% tube of ointmentTriamcinolone Acetonide
80gm of 0.1% tube of ointmentTriamcinolone Acetonide
5gm of 0.1% tube of pasteTriamcinolone Acetonide
10ml of 40mg/ml vialTriamcinolone Acetonide
1ml of 40mg/ml vialTriamcinolone Acetonide
5ml of 40mg/ml vial
How to take Triamcinolone Acetonide
Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
Do not use this medicine on the face, neck, groin, or underarms unless directed to do so by your doctor.
Topical steroid application route:
Wash your hands with soap and water before and after you use this medicine.
Apply a thin layer of triamcinolone acetonide cream or ointment or to the affected area. Rub it in gently.
Use this medicine only on your skin. Rinse it off right away if it gets on a cut or scrape. Do not get the medicine in your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Do not cover the treated area with a bandage or with the use of occlusive dressings unless directed by your doctor.
Do not apply the triamcinolone cream or other formulations over large areas of skin unless instructed by your healthcare professional.
Spray application route:
If you or your child are using the topical spray form on or near the face, protect your nose to avoid breathing it in, and make sure that your eyes are covered.
The spray form is flammable until it dries on the skin. Do not use it near heat, an open flame, or while smoking. Do not puncture, break, or burn the aerosol can.
If the medicine is applied to the diaper area of an infant, do not use tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants unless directed to do so by your doctor.
Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor how to dispose of the medicine container and any leftover or expired medicine.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
What to do if you miss a dose of Triamcinolone Acetonide
Apply a dose as soon as you can.
If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and apply a regular dose.
Do not apply extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Triamcinolone Acetonide contraindications
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to triamcinolone.
Triamcinolone Acetonide warnings
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or if you have diabetes, glaucoma, increased pressure in the head, skin infection or problems, or an adrenal problem called Cushing's syndrome.
Using too much of this medicine or using it for a long time may increase your risk of having adrenal gland problems. The potential risks are greater for children and patients who use large amounts for a long time. Talk to your doctor right away if you or your child have more than one of these symptoms while you are using this medicine: blurred vision; dizziness or fainting; a fast, uneven, or pounding heartbeat; increased thirst or urination; irritability; or unusual tiredness or weakness.
Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you or your child have a skin rash, burning, stinging, swelling, or skin irritation.
You should not use this medicine for your child without a doctor's approval.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
Do not use this medicine to treat a skin problem your doctor has not examined.
Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
Triamcinolone Acetonide interactions
Do not put cosmetics or skincare products on the treated skin.
Do not use this medication with other corticosteroid-containing products (e.g., hydrocortisone) without checking with your doctor first.
Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you or your child have a skin rash, burning, stinging, swelling, or irritation on the skin.
You should not use this medicine for your child without a doctor's approval.
Do not use this medicine to treat a skin problem your doctor has not examined.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
Triamcinolone Acetonide side effects
When triamcinolone acetonide is used properly and not continuously for long periods, it is typically a safe and effective drug. However, it can produce a myriad of unwanted side effects, some simply annoying but others quite serious. Severe adverse reactions are much more common with systemic treatment with injections. If you develop symptoms such as stomach pain, vomiting blood, swelling, paranoia, hallucinations, headache, vision changes, trouble breathing, dizziness, or extremity changes, then you could be having a serious adverse reaction and should seek medical attention immediately by going to an emergency treatment facility.
Serious side effects:
Adrenal gland insufficiency.
Cushing syndrome with long-term use.
Hypertension or intracranial hypertension.
Diabetes mellitus.
Congestive heart failure or edema.
Osteoporosis with long-term use.
Weakening or damage to tendons, muscles, or bones.
Cataract or glaucoma.
Stomach ulcer.
Psychosis.
Immune system suppression.
Joint redness or swelling.
Thinning of the skin or bruising.
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Severe burning, pain, redness, swelling, or irritation of the treated skin areas.
Symptoms of skin infection such as redness, swelling, drainage, or pus.
Less serious side effects:
Weight gain or appetite change.
Mood changes or insomnia.
Depression or anxiety.
Changes in the color of the treated skin.
Mild burning, dryness, irritation, redness, or itching.
Thinning of the skin or bruising.
Raised spots on the skin.
Acne or tiny pimples on the skin.
Itching and redness around your lips.
Excessive hair growth.
Mild, temporary stinging.
Sources:
Triamcinolone acetonide: drug information, UpToDate (2023)
Topical triamcinolone acetonide drug information: Mayo Clinic (2023)
Injectable triamcinolone acetonide drug information: Mayo Clinic (2023)
Topical triamcinolone acetonide drug label, Food and Drug Administration (1994)
Injectable triamcinolone acetonide drug label, Food and Drug Administration (2018)