Triesence ophthalmic

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

Triamcinolone ophthalmic (for the eyes) is injected into the eye to treat inflammation caused by disease or injury. Triamcinolone ophthalmic is usually given after steroid eye drops have been used without successful treatment of symptoms.

Triamcinolone ophthalmic is also used during a certain type of eye surgery.

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

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to triamcinolone, or if you have a fungal infection anywhere in your body.

Do not use triamcinolone if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby.

Before receiving triamcinolone ophthalmic, tell your doctor if you have any type of bacterial, fungal, or viral infection (including tuberculosis). Also tell your doctor if you have cataracts or glaucoma, herpes infection of your eye, diabetes, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, a thyroid disorder, myasthenia gravis, a stomach or intestinal disorder, or a history of recent heart attack.

Before you receive any vaccine, talk with the doctor who is treating you with triamcinolone ophthalmic. Some vaccines may not work as well or could cause harmful side effects during treatment with steroid medicine.

Steroids can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. 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.

There are many other drugs that can interact with triamcinolone. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to triamcinolone, or if you have a fungal infection anywhere in your body.

To make sure you can safely receive triamcinolone, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• herpes infection of your eye;

• eye conditions such as cataract or glaucoma;

• diabetes;

• high blood pressure, congestive heart failure;

• any type of bacterial, fungal, or viral infection (including tuberculosis);

• a thyroid disorder;

• a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis;

• diverticulitis, stomach or intestinal ulcer, or recent stomach surgery; or

• if you have recently had a heart attack.

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not receive triamcinolone if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Triamcinolone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

This medication 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 ophthalmic.

Steroids can affect growth in children. Talk with your doctor if you think your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medication.

Do not receive a smallpox vaccine or any other "live" vaccine if you are being treated long-term with triamcinolone ophthalmic. Some vaccines may not work as well during treatment with steroid medicine at certain doses. Some vaccines may even cause dangerous side effects when used during steroid treatment. Before you receive any vaccine, talk with the doctor who is treating you with triamcinolone ophthalmic.

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 steroids.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• problems with your vision, pain behind your eyes, or seeing halos around lights;

• eye swelling, redness, severe discomfort, crusting or drainage (may be signs of infection);

• large red or purple spots on your skin;

• fast or slow heart rate;

• feeling short of breath, swelling in your hands or feet;

• dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, uneven heartbeats, seizure);

• severe dizziness or nausea;

• severe depression, changes in mood or behavior, seizures (convulsions); or

• severe pain in your upper stomach.

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild eye discomfort;

• headaches, back aches, weakness;

• bloating, appetite changes, weight gain;

• changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist), roundness in your face;

• increased acne or facial hair;

• menstrual problems (in women), impotence or loss of interest in sex (in men);

• dry skin, thinning skin, changes in skin color;

• bruising, sweating more than usual; or

• any wound that will not heal.

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.

You should not receive Triesence if you are allergic to triamcinolone, or if you have a fungal infection anywhere in your body. Do not use Triesence without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Before receiving Triesence, tell your doctor if you have any type of bacterial, fungal, or viral infection (including tuberculosis). Also tell your doctor if you have cataracts or glaucoma, herpes infection of your eye, diabetes, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, a thyroid disorder, myasthenia gravis, a stomach or intestinal disorder, or a history of recent heart attack.

Before you receive any vaccine, talk with the doctor who is treating you with Triesence. Some vaccines may not work as well or could cause harmful side effects during treatment with steroid medicine.

Steroids can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections 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.

There are many other medicines that can interact with Triesence. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Triesence: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• problems with your vision, pain behind your eyes, or seeing halos around lights;

• eye swelling, redness, severe discomfort, crusting or drainage (may be signs of infection);

• large red or purple spots on your skin;

• fast or slow heart rate;

• feeling short of breath, swelling in your hands or feet;

• dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, uneven heartbeats, seizure);

• severe dizziness or nausea:

• severe depression, changes in mood or behavior, seizures (convulsions); or

• severe pain in your upper stomach.

Less serious Triesence side effects may include:

• mild eye discomfort;

• headaches, back aches, weakness;

• bloating, appetite changes, weight gain;

• changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist), roundness in your face;

• increased acne or facial hair;

• menstrual problems (in women), impotence or loss of interest in sex (in men);

• dry skin, thinning skin, changes in skin color;

• bruising, sweating more than usual; or

• any wound that will not heal.

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.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Eye irritation.
• Blurred eyesight.
• More hungry.
• Weight gain.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.