Generic name: triamcinolone (injection) [ TRYE-am-SIN-oh-lone ]
Brand names: Kenalog-10, Kenalog-40, Kenalog-80, Zilretta
Dosage forms: injectable suspension (10 mg/mL; acetonide 40 mg/mL; acetonide 80 mg/mL), intra-articular powder for injection, extended release (32 mg)
Drug class: Glucocorticoids

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Mar 10, 2025. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is triamcinolone?

Triamcinolone is a steroid medicine that is used alone or with other medications to treat severe allergic reactions, hormonal disorders, ulcerative colitis, leukemia, lymphoma, systemic lupus erythematosus, and other different types of inflammatory conditions, including those affecting the skin, eyes, lungs, intestines, joints, tendons, muscles, nervous system, kidneys, or blood cells.

Triamcinolone is available in several brand names that have other uses.

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

Triamcinolone side effects

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

Triamcinolone may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• increased pain or swelling, joint stiffness, fever, and general ill feeling;

• eye pain or redness, seeing halos around lights;

• sleep problems (insomnia), depression, unusual changes in mood or behavior;

• severe headache, pounding in your neck or ears;

• signs of infection--fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, unusual tiredness, bruising or bleeding;

• stomach or intestinal problems--severe stomach pain, change in bowel habits, bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

• kidney problems--urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath;

• signs of an electrolyte imbalance--increased thirst or urination, constipation, muscle weakness, leg cramps, numbness or tingling, feeling jittery, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath (even while lying down), rapid weight gain (especially in your face and midsection); or

• decreased adrenal gland hormones--nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, feeling tired or light-headed, muscle pain, skin discoloration, craving salty foods.

Certain side effects may be more likely with long-term use or repeated doses of triamcinolone injection.

Triamcinolone can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using triamcinolone.

Common side effects of triamcinolone may include:

• cough, runny or stuffy nose; or

• bruising.

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.

Related/similar drugs

Warnings

You should not be treated with certain brand forms of triamcinolone if you have idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. Call your doctor if you have flu symptoms, cough, night sweats, neck stiffness, confusion, or vision problems.

Before taking this medicine

You should not be treated with triamcinolone if you are allergic to it, or if you have idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

• infection caused by bacteria (including tuberculosis), virus, fungus, or parasites;

• congestive heart failure, heart attack, high blood pressure;

• brain injury;

• cataracts, glaucoma, or another condition that increases pressure inside your eyes;

• herpes infection of your eye;

• a nerve-muscle disorder, such as myasthenia gravis;

• a stomach ulcer, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis;

• a perforation (a hole or tear) in your esophagus, stomach, or intestines;

• recent surgery;

• cerebral malaria;

• mental illness or psychosis;

• unexplained diarrhea or if you recently traveled;

• osteoporosis or low bone mineral density;

• a problem with your thyroid or adrenal gland;

• recently received or are scheduled to receive any vaccine;

• cirrhosis or other liver disease; or

• kidney disease.

Make sure you are current on all vaccines before you start receiving triamcinolone.

Steroids may increase your risk of developing Kaposi's Sarcoma, a certain type of skin cancer. Ask your doctor about your individual risk.

Steroids can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection or worsening an infection you already have. Tell your doctor about any recent, active, or chronic illness, especially any type of infection caused by bacteria, virus, fungus, or parasites, including threadworm.

Triamcinolone may contain an ingredient that can cause serious side effects or death in very young or premature babies. Do not give triamcinolone to a child without medical advice.

Triamcinolone may harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It may be harder for you to get a woman pregnant while you are using this medicine.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while receiving this medicine.

How is triamcinolone given?

Triamcinolone injection is given through a needle and can be injected into different areas of the body: into a muscle, into the space around a joint or tendon, or into a lesion on the skin. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Before you receive triamcinolone, your doctor may test you for hepatitis B or other infections. If you've had hepatitis B, it may come back or get worse.

Not every brand of this medicine is used for the same conditions or injected into the same body areas. Some brands are given only one time as needed. Others may be given at regular intervals. Carefully follow your doctor's dosing instructions.

Your dosage needs may change if you have any unusual stress, such as a serious illness, injury, fever, or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Tell your doctor about any such situation that affects you.

Long-term use of steroid may increase pressure inside your eyes. If you receive triamcinolone for longer than 6 weeks, you may need frequent eye exams.

Your doctor may instruct you to limit your salt intake, and you may need to take potassium supplements. Follow your doctor's instructions.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using triamcinolone.

Your doctor may test you for hepatitis B or other infections while using this medicine and for several months after you stop.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.

You may have withdrawal symptoms if you stop receiving certain brand forms of triamcinolone suddenly after long-term use. Ask your doctor before stopping the medicine.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your triamcinolone injection.

What happens if I overdose?

In a medical setting an overdose would be treated quickly.

What should I avoid while receiving triamcinolone?

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chickenpox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using triamcinolone.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine or a toxoid vaccine while using triamcinolone, or you could develop a serious infection. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine. Toxoid vaccines include diphtheria-tetanus toxoid (DT or Td).

What other drugs will affect triamcinolone?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect triamcinolone, especially:

• medicine to treat any type of infection;

• birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy;

• cyclosporine;

• cholestyramine;

• a diuretic or "water pill"; or

• a certain type of muscle relaxer such as pancuronium.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect triamcinolone. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

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Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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