Triamcinolone is in a class of drugs called steroids. Triamcinolone reduces swelling and
decreases the body’s immune response.
Triamcinolone is used in the treatment of many different conditions. It is used to treat endocrine
(hormonal) disorders when the body does not produce enough of its own steroids. It is also used to
treat many immune and allergic disorders, such as allergic reactions, skin reactions, arthritis, bursitis,
tenosynovitis, gout, lupus, psoriasis, asthma, ulcerative colitis, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, and
others.
Triamcinolone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
Use triamcinolone exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions,
ask your pharmacist, nurse or doctor to explain them to you.
Triamcinolone may be used orally (by mouth) or by injection into the joint, skin, muscle, or
other tissue. If you are injecting the medication at home, your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist will give you
specific instructions on how and where it should be injected. Do not administer an injection if you are
unsure how to properly give the injection, how much to inject, or how often to inject the medication.
Call your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to go over the instructions with you.
Take each oral dose with a full glass of water.
Take oral triamcinolone with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.
Measure the oral liquid with the dropper provided or with a special dose-measuring spoon,
dropper, or cup. Ask your pharmacist for a dose-measuring device if you do not have one.
If you are taking one dose daily, take that dose before 9 a.m. if possible, to follow the body’s
natural cycle. If you take more than one dose daily, space the doses evenly throughout the day as
directed by your doctor.
Do not inject any form of triamcinolone that is discolored or that has particles in it.
Throw away used syringes and needles in a puncture resistant container after use.
Do not stop using triamcinolone suddenly if you have been using it for a few weeks. You
may need a gradual reduction in dosage before stopping completely.
Carry some type of medical identification that will let others know you are using triamcinolone in
the case of an emergency.
Store triamcinolone at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, seek emergency medical
attention or contact your doctor immediately:
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;
swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
increased blood pressure (severe headache or blurred
vision);
sudden weight gain (more than 5 pounds in a day or two);
or
pain, redness, or skin changes at the site of injection.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to use
triamcinolone and talk to your doctor if you experience
insomnia;
nausea, vomiting, or stomach upset;
fatigue or dizziness;
muscle weakness;
problems with diabetes control; or
increased hunger or thirst.
Other side effects that occur only rarely, usually with high doses of
triamcinolone, include
acne;
increased hair growth;
thinning of the skin;
cataracts;
glaucoma;
osteoporosis;
roundness of the face; or
changes in behavior.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor
about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Do not take any other over-the-counter or prescription medications, including herbal
products, during treatment with triamcinolone without first talking to your doctor. Many other medicines
can interact with triamcinolone resulting in side effects or altered effectiveness of the medications.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol and triamcinolone can be damaging to the stomach.
Avoid sources of infection. Wash your hands frequently and keep them away from the mouth
and eyes. The immune system may be weakened while using triamcinolone.
Do not receive any immunizations during treatment with triamcinolone without first talking to
your doctor.
Seek emergency medical attention. A single large dose of this medication is unlikely to
cause symptoms or death. An overdose is more likely to be caused by a chronic overdose—large
doses used over a period of time.
Symptoms of an overdose include obesity (especially around the stomach); a round face;
increased hair growth (especially around the face); acne; bruising; increased blood pressure; swollen
hands, feet, or ankles (fluid retention); and sore or weak muscles.
If you take one oral dose daily, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if
you don’t remember until the next day, skip the dose you missed and take only the regular daily dose.
If you take more than one oral dose daily, you can either take the missed dose as soon as you
remember, or you can take two doses (the one you missed plus the regularly scheduled dose) when it is
time for the next dose.
If you take one oral dose every other day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then
go back to your regular every-other-day schedule.
Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of injectable triamcinolone.
Do not stop using triamcinolone suddenly if you have been using it for a few weeks. You
may need a gradual reduction in dosage before stopping completely.
Take oral triamcinolone with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.
Carry some type of medical identification that will let others know you are using triamcinolone in
the case of an emergency.
Do not use triamcinolone if you have a serious bacterial, viral, or fungal infection.
Triamcinolone weakens the body’s immune response and thus its ability to fight infection.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have
kidney disease,
liver disease,
high blood pressure or heart disease,
hypothyroidism,
a psychiatric condition,
osteoporosis,
myasthenia gravis,
diabetes mellitus, or
another medical condition.
You may not be able to use triamcinolone, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Triamcinolone is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known
whether triamcinolone will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without first talking
to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
Triamcinolone passes into breast milk. Do not use triamcinolone without first talking to your
doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Triamcinolone is available in many brand and generic formulations. Ask your pharmacist any
questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your
medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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