What is Triamcinolone uses, side effects & precautions?

Why is Triamcinolone medication prescribed?

Triamcinolone is a glucocorticoid and this medication used to treat a variety of the conditions like skin diseases, allergic disorders, breathing problems, certain cancers, eye diseases, intestinal disorders, arthritis, gout, blood diseases, collagen, itching, redness, dryness, crusting, scaling, inflammation, and rheumatic disorders among others. Basically, this medication is used by persons who are not able to take medicines by mouth. Triamcinolone activates some of the natural substances to reduce swelling, redness in the skin.

If you are injected with this medication near your spine (epidural) then talk to your doctor or pharmacist first and there may be some serious side effects that may occur with epidural use of triamcinolone. It decreases the immune response in our body’s to these diseases and reduces symptoms such as swelling.

In 1956, triamcinolone was initially described and came into medical use in 1958. The World Health Organization (WHO) created an Essential Medicines List, triamcinolone is one of them available in the list. In 2018, with more than six million prescriptions in the United States, triamcinolone was the 106th most commonly prescribed medication.

In the treatment of the skin conditions like (rash, inflammation, redness, or intense itching due to eczema[15] and dermatitis) triamcinolone acetonide is the active ingredient in various topical skin preparations (cream, lotion, ointment, aerosol spray). 

How to use Triamcinolone Topical?

For use to treat skin conditions, triamcinolone is available in the form of an ointment, cream, lotion, and aerosol (spray) in various strengths and it is also available in the form of paste for use in the mouth. Always use this medication according to your doctor or pharmacist’s prescription and follow the directions on your prescription label very carefully. 

Don’t try to use this medication more or less often than prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist and make sure it doesn’t touch unaffected areas of your body or don’t use it in the treatment of other skin conditions unless directed by your healthcare professionals.

Usually, the doctor or pharmacist is told to apply this medication two to four times a day and for mouth sores, triamcinolone topical applied at bedtime, two or three times daily, preferably after meals.

When you are using triamcinolone topical, apply the ointment, cream, or lotion sparingly in a thin film and rub it in gently.

When you are using triamcinolone topical on your scalp, or part of your hair, apply a small amount of the ointment, cream, lotion on the affected area, and rub it in gently. Until the lotion or spray dries protect the area from washing and rubbing and you can wash your hair as usual but not right after applying for the medicine.

When you are using triamcinolone topical as an aerosol, shake the spray bottle well and spray on the affected area by holding the spray bottle about three to six inches away. To cover the affected area, spray them for 2 seconds. Always take care that you do not let vapors come in your mouth and if you are spraying triamcinolone near your face then try to cover your eyes always.

The aerosol spray of triamcinolone can catch fire. So stay away from heat, open, fire, flames. Don’t smoke while you are applying triamcinolone aerosol spray, and for a short time afterward.

When you are using the paste of the triamcinolone medication, press a small amount of paste on the mouth sore without rubbing until a thin film develops. If in case, your mouth sore is large then you may need to use more paste. After using this medication if the mouth sore condition is not beginning to heal within seven days then contact your doctor or pharmacists.

Always ensure that this medication doesn’t go in your eyes, when you are using triamcinolone topical on your face, it could be harmful to you like Mupirocin Ointment. Don’t use the other skin products while you are using the triamcinolone on the affected area without talking with your doctor or pharmacists.

When you are using triamcinolone medication on an infant’s diaper area then try to not use tight-fitting diapers. They could increase some of the serious side effects or symptoms.

What are other uses of Triamcinolone Topical?

There are some other uses of this medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about the prescribed treatments for other diseases of triamcinolone medication.

What special dietary plans could I take?

Always follow your doctor or pharmacist’s directions. Unless he/she tells you to continue your normal diet.

What are the side effects of Triamcinolone?

Don’t use it for a longer time period than prescribed, but in case, If you’re using this medication for prolonged or repeated long periods then it may result in some serious side effects. If you notice or feel any of the new or worsening symptoms then tell your doctor or pharmacist.

People that are using triamcinolone medication have some serious side effects because this medication only uses serious side effects. Don’t use this medication without your doctor’s prescription, Doctors will suggest triamcinolone medication by judging the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. If you have any irritation, trouble breathing then firstly stop using it and talk to your doctor.

Some common side effects of Triamcinolone:

These side effects should disappear in a few days when your body adjusts to the medication. But, if these side effects mentioned below will not disappear or get worse then call your doctor or pharmacists immediately.

  • You’ll feel tiny red bumps or rash around the mouth.
  • You’ll feel small white or red bumps on the skin.
  • You’ll feel burning, itching, irritation, stinging, redness, or drying of the skin.
  • You’ll feel acne.
  • You’ll feel the change in skin color.
  • You’ll feel unwanted hair growth.

Some serious side effects of Triamcinolone:

If you are using this medication over the infant or children then first talk to your doctor or pharmacists about the risks of applying this medication to your child’s skin because there are many serious side effects of this medication on infants. Call your doctor or pharmacists immediately, if you experience any of the following symptoms:

  • You’ll feel stretch marks.
  • You’ll feel weight loss, headache, swelling ankles/feet.
  • You’ll start feeling increased thirst/urination,
  • You’ll feel vision problems.
  • You’ll feel dizziness, 
  • You’ll feel trouble breathing.
  • You’ll start feeling a severe rash.
  • You’ll feel redness or swelling or other signs of skin infection in the affected area.

This is not the complete list of all symptoms and side effects of triamcinolone cream. If you have any unusual problems apart from these while using triamcinolone medication then immediately contact your doctor or pharmacist.

What special precautions could I take?

Some special precaution of triamcinolone medicine you should have followed before using this medication:

  • If you have any medical history, especially of: poor blood circulation, immune system problems then tell your doctor and pharmacist.
  • If you are having surgery or emergency treatment, or if you get a serious illness/injury while you are using triamcinolone medication or have used this medication within the past few months then tell your doctor and pharmacist.
  • If you are allergic to this medicine or any of the ingredients in triamcinolone topical products, any other medications then tell your doctor and pharmacist and ask about the  list of all ingredients.
  • If you are taking some prescription and nonprescription medications, other vitamins, nutritional supplements, herbal products, or planning to take while you are taking triamcinolone medication then tell your doctor and pharmacist.
  • If you have a mouth or throat infection or have ever had diabetes or Cushing’s syndrome (an abnormal condition that is caused by excess hormones [corticosteroids]) then tell your doctor and pharmacist.
  • If you are breastfeeding, pregnant, or planning to become pregnant while taking triamcinolone then tell your doctor and pharmacist.

And don’t use triamcinolone medication later for another skin infection unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you to take this medication.

What are the interactions of triamcinolone with other drugs?

Your doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare professionals can already be aware of any drug interactions. Before talking to your healthcare professionals or checking, don’t try to change, stop, or start the dosage of any medicine.

If you are taking some prescription and nonprescription medications, other vitamins, nutritional supplements, herbal products, including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, especially corticosteroids are taken by mouth (prednisone), drugs that suppress the immune system (cyclosporine) or planning to take then tell your doctor and pharmacist before starting the treatment with this product.

Before using the triamcinolone medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use because this documentation doesn’t contain all the possible interactions. And the most important thing when you are taking these products doesn’t start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines you are using without your doctor’s approval. 

What can I do after I forget a dose?

When you start to take triamcinolone medication, always remember to write down all of the instructions that your doctor or pharmacist tells you when you ask a question: what should I do if I forget a dose?

The answer is if you forgot to take triamcinolone medication and if it is near the time of your next dose then we suggest you please skip that dose and take it at the next dose at the regular time. Don’t take the dose at irregular times. It makes your dose double and it would be harmful to you.

How should you store and dispose of this medication?

Store this medication at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) and keep them away from light or excessive heat and moisture. And put them away from the reach of the pets and children, we suggest you put that medicine in a tightly closed container in which they came. Ensure that the liquid form of this product doesn’t freeze and try to protect it from the light also.

You should have disposed of all the medication that is unneeded in a special way to ensure that children, pets, and other people can’t consume them. You can not flush them or pour them into the drain. You can return them to the pharmacist or the best way is that you can take back the program for returning your medicines.

What other information should I know?

Don’t miss any of your doctor and laboratory appointments because your doctor will check the response of this medicine then he/she will tell you the update or other pieces of information. So, keep all your appointments with your doctor, pharmacist, and the laboratory.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you feel your health condition is getting worse or your dose may need to be adjusted.

It is very important to tell your pharmacist about all your prescriptions and nonprescription you were taking and make a list of them and carry the list all time it would help you in case of emergencies. When you meet or visit your doctor you should bring the list its important to it you doctor.

And ensure that no one is taking your medicine or no one has them. And every time when you meet your pharmacist or doctor asks them any of the questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Brand names

  • Aristocort
  • Aristocort
  • Aristogel
  • Flutex
  • Kenalog
  • Kenalog Dental Paste
  • Oralone Dental Paste
  • Triacet
  • Triacort
  • Triatex
  • Triderm
  • Trymex

Brand names of combination products

  • Mykacet (containing Triamcinolone, Nystatin)

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