What is the most important information I should know about triamcinolone injection?

What is triamcinolone injection?

Triamcinolone is a steroid that prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.

Triamcinolone injection is used to treat many different types of inflammatory conditions, including severe allergic reactions, severe colitis, blood cell disorders, inflammatory eye disorders, lung disorders, acute gouty arthritis, rheumatic arthritis, and problems caused by low adrenal gland hormones.

Triamcinolone injection is also used to treat inflammation of the joints or tendons to treat arthritis, bursitis, or epicondylitis (tennis elbow). It is usually given in these conditions only as a short-term treatment of a severe or aggravated episode.

Triamcinolone is also used to treat certain skin disorders caused by autoimmune conditions such as lupus, psoriasis, lichen planus, and others.

Triamcinolone injection may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving triamcinolone injection?

You may not be able to receive triamcinolone injection if you have:

• a fungal infection; or
• idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

To make sure triamcinolone is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• an active or chronic infection, including tuberculosis;
• high blood pressure, heart disease, a stroke or heart attack;
• cataracts, glaucoma, or herpes infection of the eyes;
• cirrhosis or other liver disease;
• a nerve-muscle disorder, such as myasthenia gravis;
• a stomach or intestinal disorder;
• a colostomy or ileostomy, or recent stomach surgery;
• kidney disease;
• diabetes;
• low bone mineral density; or
• a problem with your thyroid or adrenal gland.

Steroid medicine can decrease bone formation, which could lead to osteoporosis, especially with long-term use. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk of bone loss while receiving triamcinolone injection.

How is triamcinolone injection given?

Triamcinolone injection is given through a needle and can be injected into different areas of the body: into a muscle; into the space around a joint or tendon, or into a lesion on the skin. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Triamcinolone can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to get sick from being around others who are ill. Your blood may need to be tested often.

Your doctor may instruct you to limit your salt intake while you are receiving triamcinolone injection. You may also need to take potassium supplements. Follow your doctor's instructions.

This medicine can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using triamcinolone.

Tell your doctor if you have any type of surgery, illness, or medical emergency. Your dose needs may be different during times of unusual stress.

Long-term use of steroids can cause harmful effects on the eyes, such as glaucoma or cataracts. If you receive triamcinolone injection for longer than 6 weeks, your doctor may want you to have regular eye exams.

What happens if I miss a dose?

What happens if I overdose?

Since this medicine is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.

An overdose of triamcinolone is not expected to produce life threatening symptoms. However, long term use of high steroid doses can lead to symptoms such as thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.

What should I avoid while receiving triamcinolone injection?

After injection of triamcinolone into a joint, you should avoid overusing that joint through strenuous activity or high-impact sports. You could cause damage to the joint.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine or a toxoid vaccine while using triamcinolone, or you could develop a serious infection. Live or toxoid vaccines include diphtheria, measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, smallpox, tetanus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using triamcinolone.

What are the possible side effects of triamcinolone injection?

• (after injection into a joint space) increased pain or swelling, joint stiffness, fever, and general ill feeling;
• blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;
• unusual changes in mood or behavior;
• shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain;
• stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody or tarry stools, rectal irritation;
• fast or slow heartbeats;
• sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body);
• a seizure (convulsions);
• increased blood pressure --severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears, anxiety, nosebleed;
• increased pressure inside the skull --severe headaches, ringing in your ears, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, pain behind your eyes; or
• signs of low adrenal gland hormones --flu-like symptoms, headache, depression, weakness, tiredness, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, craving salty foods, and feeling light-headed.

Steroids can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medicine.

Common side effects may include:

• skin changes (acne, dryness, redness, discoloration);
• increased hair growth, or thinning hair;
• nausea, bloating, appetite changes;
• stomach or side pain;
• cough, runny or stuffy nose;
• headache, sleep problems (insomnia);
• a wound that is slow to heal;
• sweating more than usual; or
• changes in your menstrual periods.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect triamcinolone injection?

Many drugs can interact with triamcinolone. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

• an antibiotic or antifungal medication;
• birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy;
• a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, and others);
• a diuretic or "water pill";
• insulin or oral diabetes medicine;
• medicine to treat tuberculosis;
• a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug or NSAID (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, indomethacin, Advil, Aleve, Celebrex, and many others); or
• seizure medication.

This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with triamcinolone. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about triamcinolone injection.