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What is Triamcinolone
 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.
General medical information about 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.
Who should not use Triamcinolone
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.
How should you use Triamcinolone 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 miss a dose: 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.
What happens if you overdose: 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.
What should you avoid while using Triamcinolone 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.
Possible side effects of Triamcinolone 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.
What other drugs will affect Triamcinolone
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. |
