Triamcinolone Injection

What is this medication?

TRIAMCINOLONE (trye am SIN oh lone) treats many conditions such as asthma, allergic reactions, arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases, adrenal, and blood or bone marrow disorders. It works by decreasing inflammation, slowing down an overactive immune system, or replacing cortisol normally made in the body. Cortisol is a hormone that plays an important role in how the body responds to stress, illness, and injury. It belongs to a group of medications called steroids.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Aristocort, Aristocort Forte, Aristospan, Arze-Ject-A, Hexatrione, Kenalog, Kenalog-10, Kenalog-40, Kenalog-80, Tac-3, Triamonide, Triesence, XIPERE

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Diabetes (high blood sugar)
• Eye diseases, such as glaucoma, cataracts, or blurred vision
• Heart failure
• High blood pressure
• Immune system problems
• Infection, such as tuberculosis (TB) or other bacterial, fungal, or viral infections
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Low levels of potassium in the blood
• Mental health disease
• Myasthenia gravis
• Osteoporosis, weak bones
• Heart attack
• Seizures
• Stomach ulcers, other stomach or intestine problems
• Taking other steroids like dexamethasone or prednisone
• Thyroid disease
• An unusual or allergic reaction to triamcinolone, corticosteroids, benzyl alcohol, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

This medication is injected. It is given in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While it may be given to children for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply. This medication is not for regular use.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

• Vaccines or toxoids
• Metyrapone

This medication may interact with the following:

• Amphotericin B
• Antibiotics like clarithromycin or erythromycin
• Antiviral medications for HIV or AIDS, like atazanavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, or saquinavir
• Barbiturates, like phenobarbital
• Carbamazepine
• Certain medications for fungal infections, like itraconazole or ketoconazole
• Cholestyramine
• Cholinesterase inhibitors, like neostigmine, physostigmine, or pyridostigmine
• Cobicistat
• Cyclosporine
• Digoxin
• Female hormones, like estrogens or progestins and birth control pills
• Isoniazid
• Medications for diabetes
• Nefazodone
• NSAIDs, medications for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
• Phenytoin
• Rifampin
• Telithromycin
• Warfarin

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

This medication may increase your risk of getting an infection. Call your care team for advice if you get a fever, chills, sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick. If you have not had the measles or chickenpox vaccine, tell your care team right away if you are around someone with these viruses.

This medication may increase blood sugar. Ask your care team if changes in diet or medications are needed if you have diabetes.

Using this medication for a long time may weaken your bones. The risk of bone fractures may be increased. Talk to your care team about your bone health.

Tell your care team right away if you have any change in your eyesight.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Cushing syndrome—increased fat around the midsection, upper back, neck, or face, pink or purple stretch marks on the skin, thinning, fragile skin that easily bruises, unexpected hair growth
• High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)—increased thirst or amount of urine, unusual weakness or fatigue, blurry vision
• Increase in blood pressure
• Infection—fever, chills, cough, sore throat, wounds that don't heal, pain or trouble when passing urine, general feeling of discomfort or being unwell
• Low adrenal gland function—nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness
• Mood and behavior changes—anxiety, nervousness, confusion, hallucinations, irritability, hostility, thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression
• Severe pain, redness, warmth, or swelling in joint where injected
• Stomach bleeding—bloody or black, tar-like stools, vomiting blood or brown material that looks like coffee grounds
• Swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Acne
• General discomfort and fatigue
• Headache
• Increase in appetite
• Nausea
• Trouble sleeping
• Weight gain

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

This medication is given in a hospital or clinic. It will not be stored at home.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.