Type of medicine: corticosteroid
Generic and brand names: triamcinolone, injection; triamcinolone acetonide, injection; triamcinolone hexacetonide, injection; Aristospan; Kenalog-10
This medicine is given by injection (shots) into a into a muscle, joint, or into a sore on the skin. It is used to reduce inflammation, irritation, and pain. It may also be used to treat skin problems, allergies, asthma and other lung diseases, arthritis, eye inflammation, leukemia, and lymphoma.
Sometimes this medicine is given when you cannot take the oral form of this medicine. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have:
Tell your provider if you have recently had any kind of illness or infection, including a fungal infection.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
These shots are given by your healthcare provider. Keep all appointments for the shots.
You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine. Stay away from people with measles, chickenpox, or other infections. If you have not had chickenpox, the measles, or tuberculosis (TB), and are exposed to them while taking this medicine, contact your healthcare provider right away.
Usually you should not have other vaccinations while taking this medicine. Skin tests may need to be postponed until after you have stopped taking this medicine. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
If you notice new joint pain, stiffness, or loss of motion in any joint after receiving this medicine, contact your healthcare provider right away.
This medicine may cause worsening of myasthenia gravis symptoms. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any worsening muscle weakness or breathing problems.
Contact your healthcare provider if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse.
If you need emergency care, surgery, skin tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.
Diabetics: This medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Signs of an infection (fever, sore throat, pain while urinating, muscle pain); unusual bruising, bleeding or pinpoint red spots on the skin; warm, painful, or swollen ankles or calves, or any unexplained swelling; muscle weakness; depression; unexplained mood changes; confusion; chest pain; irregular heartbeat; trouble breathing; vision changes; severe headache; bloody or black bowel movements; seizures; unexplained joint pain or swelling, stiffness, or loss of motion.
Other: Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, back pain, gas, changes in menstrual period, nervousness, shaking, trouble sleeping, increased appetite, gradual weight gain, round face, acne, increased sweating, increased hair growth.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.