Clinacort

Triamcinolone is a medication available in both prescription and non-prescription forms. It is used to treat inflammation caused by a variety of diseases, conditions, and allergies.

The prescription forms are used to treat inflammation due to arthritis and disorders of the skin, blood, kidney, lungs, eye, thyroid, and intestines. This medication page refers to the prescription form of triamcinolone.

Triamcinolone belongs to a group of drugs called corticosteroids. These work by mimicking the action of steroids normally produced by your body.

Triamcinolone is available as a topical cream, ointment, lotion, spray for use on the skin, and as a paste for use in the mouth. It is also available in injectable forms to be given directly into a muscle (IM), a joint (intra-articular) and the eye (intravitreal) by a healthcare professional.

Common side effects of triamcinolone include upset stomach, headache, insomnia, anxiety, depression, acne, increased hair growth, easy bruising, and irregular menstrual cycles.

Triamcinolone can also cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how triamcinolone affects you.

Serious side effects have been reported with topical triamcinolone including the following:

• Burning, drying and itching of the skin
• Convulsions
• Depression
• Increased blood pressure
• Muscle weakness
• Nervousness
• Psychosis
• Sleepiness
• Changes in menstrual cycle
• Swelling in lower extremities
• Water retention
• Worsening of diabetes or ulcers

Serious side effects have been reported with injectable triamcinolone including the following:

• Stomach upset
• Muscle weakness or atrophy
• Adrenal insufficiency
• Increased blood pressure
• Water and salt retention
• Increased susceptibility to infection

Glaucoma, cataracts, optic nerve damage, and ocular infections have been reported with the ophthalmic injections of triamcinolone.

Triamcinolone can cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how triamcinolone affects you.

Do not take triamcinolone if you are allergic to triamcinolone or to any of its ingredients.

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of triamcinolone, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before taking triamcinolone, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to triamcinolone or to any of its ingredients
• have diabetes
• have glaucoma
• have cataracts
• have or have had a circulation disorder
• have or have had an immune system disorder
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding or plan to begin breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Your doctor will check your progress closely while you or your child are receiving this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to receive it.

This medicine contains benzyl alcohol which may cause serious reactions (e.g., gasping syndrome, low blood pressure, and metabolic acidosis) to newborn or premature infants. Discuss this with your doctor if you are concerned.

This medicine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have a rash; itching; hoarseness; trouble breathing; trouble swallowing; or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after receiving this medicine.

Let your doctor know if you or your child have any events causing unusual stress or anxiety in your life. Your doctor may give you oral corticosteroids.

This medicine may cause fluid retention (edema) in some patients. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet (especially on salt intake).

Using too much of this medicine or using it for a long time may increase your risk of having adrenal gland problems. The risk is greater for children and for patients who use large amounts for a long time. Talk to your doctor if you have more than one of these symptoms while you are using this medicine: blurred vision; dizziness or fainting; a fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat; increased thirst or urination; irritability; or unusual tiredness or weakness.

It may be easier for you to get an infection while you or your child are receiving triamcinolone. Avoid crowded places or being near people who are sick. If you are exposed to chicken pox or measles, tell your doctor right away.

Tell your doctor if you or your child have recently spent time in a tropical climate or have unexplained diarrhea before receiving this medicine.

Talk with your doctor before getting flu shots or other vaccines while you or your child are receiving this medicine because there are certain vaccines that you should not receive.

Check with your doctor immediately if blurred vision, difficulty in reading, or any other change in vision occurs during or after treatment. Your doctor may want you or your child to have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

Before you have any skin tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are taking this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

Do not stop using this medicine without checking first with your doctor. Your doctor may want you or your child to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping it completely

This medicine may cause slow growth. If your child is using this medicine, the doctor will need to keep track of your child's height and weight to make sure that your child is growing properly.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.