triamcinolone (intravitreal)

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

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using. Many drugs can interact with triamcinolone.

What is triamcinolone intravitreal?

Triamcinolone is a steroid medicine that reduces inflammation in the body.

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

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving triamcinolone intravitreal?

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• any type of bacterial, fungal, or viral infection;
• a parasite infection;
• tuberculosis;
• herpes infection of your eye;
• cataracts or glaucoma;
• a thyroid disorder;
• high blood pressure, heart failure, or heart attack;
• diabetes;
• osteoporosis, or low bone mineral density;
• diverticulitis, stomach or intestinal ulcer, or stomach surgery; or
• a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis.

How is triamcinolone intravitreal given?

Triamcinolone intravitreal will be injected into your eye by healthcare professional in a clinic setting. The doctor will use a medicine to numb your eye before giving you the injection.

You will need frequent medical tests and eye exams.

Your doctor may instruct you to limit your salt intake, and you may need to take potassium supplements. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Steroid medicine can affect your immune system. You may get infections more easily. Steroids can also slow the healing of skin wounds. Use caution to prevent illness, infection, or injury.

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.

What should I avoid while receiving triamcinolone intravitreal?

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

Do not receive a smallpox vaccine or any other "live" vaccine while using triamcinolone. The vaccine may not work as well and may not fully protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), and zoster (shingles).

What are the possible side effects of triamcinolone intravitreal?

• signs of eye infection --swelling, redness, severe discomfort, crusting or drainage;
• blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;
• unusual changes in mood or behavior;
• swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath;
• muscle pain or weakness;
• large red or purple spots on your skin;
• any wound that will not heal;
• increased thirst or urination;
• severe stomach pain, bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
• low potassium --leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, numbness or tingling, limp feeling; or
• signs of low adrenal gland hormones --flu-like symptoms, headache, weakness, tiredness, diarrhea, vomiting, craving salty foods, and feeling light-headed.

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

Common side effects may include:

• blurred vision; or
• increased appetite.

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 intravitreal?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect triamcinolone, especially:

• a diuretic or "water pill";
• insulin or oral diabetes medicine;
• birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy;
• medicine to treat any type of infection;
• a blood thinner --warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven; or
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) --aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect triamcinolone. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor can provide more information about triamcinolone intravitreal.