Triamcinolone

Generic Name: Triamcinolone
Typical Brand Name(s): Aristocort A, Aristocort Topical, Delta-Tritex, Flutex, Kenalog, Kenalog-H, Kenonel, Triacet, Triderm

What Is It Used For?
TRIAMCINOLONE (Aristocort, Triderm, Kenalog, Flutex, Kenonel) is a corticosteroid. It helps to reduce swelling, redness, itching, and allergic reactions on the skin. Generic triamcinolone skin cream, ointment and lotion are available, but not skin aerosol.

How Is It Used?
Triamcinolone skin products are for external use only. Do not take by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Apply a thin film of cream, ointment or foam to the affected area. Do not cover with a bandage or dressing unless your prescriber or health care professional tells you to. Wash your hands before and after use. Do not use your medicine more often than directed.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Elderly patients are more likely to have damaged skin through aging, and this may increase side effects. Corticosteroid skin preparations should only be used for brief periods and infrequently in older patients.

What should my health care professional know before I take Triamcinolone?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Infection, measles, tuberculosis, herpes or chickenpox
• Large areas of burned or damaged skin
• Skin wasting or thinning
• An unusual or allergic reaction to triamcinolone, corticosteroids, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

If you are going to use triamcinolone for a long time your prescriber or health care professional needs to know if you have:

• Diabetes

Are There Possible Side Effects?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• Burning or itching of the skin
• Dark red spots on the skin
• Infection
• Painful, red, pus-filled blisters in hair follicles
• Thinning of the skin, sunburn more likely especially on the face

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• Dry skin, irritation
• Unusual increased growth of hair on the face or body

What About Interactions With Other Drugs?
There are no known interactions between triamcinolone skin preparations and other drugs.

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about other skin products you are using. Do not apply triamcinolone at the same site as other skin preparation without advice.

What should I watch for while taking triamcinolone?
Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve after one week of triamcinolone use. It is important not to use more triamcinolone than prescribed. Do not use for more than 14 days. Do not use on healthy skin or over large areas of skin. Tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are exposed to anyone with measles or chickenpox, or if you develop sores or blisters that do not heal properly.

Do not use an airtight bandage to cover the affected area unless your prescriber or health care professional tells you to. If you are to cover the area, follow the prescriber's instructions carefully. Covering the area where triamcinolone is applied can increase the amount that passes through the skin and increases the risk of side effects.

Do not get triamcinolone in your eyes. If you do, rinse out with plenty of cool tap water.

If you are using a topical aerosol spray, do not inhale the vapors and do not use around the eyes. Do not use near heat, open flame, or while smoking because the spray may catch fire.

What If I Miss A Dose?
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.

How Should It Be Stored?
Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F); do not freeze. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before taking the product.