Triamcinolone Acetonide

Introduction

Written by Kirstyn Hill, PharmD, MPH
Medically reviewed by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA
Updated on August 28, 2023

Triamcinolone (trye am SIN oh lone) is a generic medication prescribed for certain types of inflammatory conditions. Triamcinolone belongs to a group of drugs called corticosteroids.

The approved uses differ based on the form of triamcinolone your doctor prescribes. For example, some forms of the drug may be used to treat inflammation (swelling and damage) caused by certain skin diseases.

This article doesn’t provide coupons for all forms of triamcinolone. To find coupons for triamcinolone topical ointment, see this article. For coupons for triamcinolone dental paste, see this article.

Uses of triamcinolone

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as triamcinolone for certain conditions. Approved uses for triamcinolone are described below. These uses differ based on the form of triamcinolone prescribed.

Use for certain skin conditions

Doctors may prescribe triamcinolone topical* cream, topical lotion, topical ointment, or topical spray for treating certain skin conditions. The drug is used for this purpose in children and adults. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

Examples of skin conditions these topical forms of triamcinolone can be used to treat include:

• psoriasis
• eczema, including atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis
• vitiligo

* Topical means applied to the skin.

Use for other conditions

Doctors may prescribe triamcinolone injection given into a muscle or joint for treating multiple inflammatory conditions. It’s used for this purpose in children and adults. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

Triamcinolone injection into a muscle can be used to treat certain conditions. Examples include:

• allergic conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, drug allergy reactions, and seasonal allergies
• skin conditions, such as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
• hormone-related disorders, such as adrenal insufficiency (low level of adrenal gland hormones)
• digestive system conditions, such as ulcerative colitis (a type of inflammatory bowel disease)
• blood conditions, such as hemolytic anemia (when your body mistakenly destroys red blood cells) and thrombocytopenia (low level of platelets, which helps blood to clot)
• palliative treatment (symptom relief) for certain cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma (blood cancers)
• nervous system problems, such as worsening of multiple sclerosis symptoms and brain swelling associated with brain tumors
• eye problems, such as uveitis (eye inflammation)
• kidney conditions, such as idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (kidney damage of unknown cause that results in symptoms including too much protein in urine)
• respiratory conditions, such as tuberculosis
• inflammatory problems affecting the joints or tissue, such as arthritis, gout, and systemic lupus erythematosus

Examples of conditions triamcinolone injection into a joint can be used to treat include:

• inflammatory problems affecting the joints or tissue, such as gout and bursitis

Doctors may prescribe triamcinolone dental paste* for canker sores or ulcers in the mouth. The drug is used for this purpose in children and adults. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

* Triamcinolone dental paste is applied to surfaces inside the mouth.

Side effects of triamcinolone

Triamcinolone may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of triamcinolone and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about triamcinolone’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for triamcinolone listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of triamcinolone are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of triamcinolone you use.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about triamcinolone’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for triamcinolone listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Triamcinolone injection’s mild side effects include:

• increased blood pressure
• swelling and pain at the injection site
• weight gain
• rash
• mild allergic reaction*

Triamcinolone topical cream’s mild side effects include:

• burning in the area of the application site
• itching in the area of the application site
• irritation in the area of the application site
• dryness in the area of the application site
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for triamcinolone” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of triamcinolone are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of triamcinolone you use.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about triamcinolone’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for triamcinolone listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, triamcinolone’s serious side effects include:

• high or low levels of the hormone cortisol*
• increased pressure around the brain*
• excess hair growth anywhere on the body
• severe allergic reaction†

For triamcinolone injection, the following serious side effects may also occur:

• increased risk of infection
• joint tissue damage
• increased pressure inside the eye
• mood changes, such as feelings of anxiety and depression
• venous thromboembolism (blood clot in a vein)
• osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones)
• heart problems, such as heart attack or atypical heart rate
• decrease in growth (height and weight)*

* This side effect is more likely to occur or only occurs in children receiving triamcinolone.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for triamcinolone” section.

Common questions about triamcinolone

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about triamcinolone.

What brand-name versions of triamcinolone are available?

Brand-name versions of topical* triamcinolone include Triderm (cream) and Trianex (ointment). Brand-name versions of triamcinolone injection include Zilretta and Kenalog. The other forms of triamcinolone are only available as generic drugs.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less compared with brand-name drugs. For more information on brand versus generic drugs, see this article.

* Topical means applied to the skin.

Is triamcinolone an antifungal drug?

No, triamcinolone is not an antifungal drug. Triamcinolone belongs to a group of drugs called corticosteroids. Antifungals are used to treat fungal infections, which often affect the skin and nails. Corticosteroids are used to treat inflammatory conditions.

If you’d like to know more about corticosteroid drugs such as triamcinolone, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How does triamcinolone work? And how long does it take to start working?

The exact way that triamcinolone works is not known. The medication helps treat the conditions it’s used for by lowering inflammation and constricting blood vessels throughout the body.

You should notice improvement in the appearance of your skin after 2–3 days of using topical triamcinolone. Even with improvement, it’s important to continue using triamcinolone for the length of time your doctor prescribes to ensure the infection is cleared.

The triamcinolone injection begins to work anywhere from a few hours to 48 hours. You should see improvement in your condition within 3–7 days.

If you’d like to know more about how triamcinolone works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions and warnings for triamcinolone

Below, you’ll find information about triamcinolone’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of triamcinolone

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Triamcinolone may cause interactions depending on the form, so ask your doctor to check for possible interactions before you use triamcinolone. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

Some forms of triamcinolone don’t have any known interactions. But this doesn’t mean drug interactions with triamcinolone won’t happen or be reported sometime. For instance, medications created at a later time could interact with these forms of triamcinolone.

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for triamcinolone” section below.

Warnings for triamcinolone

Some people should not use triamcinolone, and others should use it cautiously.

Triamcinolone could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether triamcinolone is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of triamcinolone you use.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for triamcinolone, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Triamcinolone can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to triamcinolone or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe triamcinolone. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to triamcinolone, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of triamcinolone

If you use triamcinolone, you should not use more triamcinolone than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve used too much triamcinolone, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and triamcinolone

Information about triamcinolone and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Triamcinolone and pregnancy

It’s not known whether triamcinolone should be used during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

Triamcinolone and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether triamcinolone should be used while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about triamcinolone or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Are there other less expensive treatment options if I can’t afford triamcinolone?
• How much cream or ointment should I put on the affected area?
• Can I use triamcinolone at the same time as other lotions, creams, or ointments?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Gabros S, et al. (2023). Topical corticosteroids. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532940
• Triamcinolone acetonide cream USP, 0.025%, 0.1%, 0.5%. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/0d40e68d-feb5-4061-8b43-515b2f553371/spl-doc
• Triamcinolone acetonide dental paste USP, 0.1%. (2021). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/a1633e66-2ce8-42e4-8046-ac10dadfa34b/spl-doc
• Triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension, USP. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/c38dcd37-9840-4f71-a5c9-97380c8107f2/spl-doc
• Triamcinolone acetonide lotion, USP 0.025% and 0.1%. (2020). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/4c6ff738-60a3-4339-8e94-26fb9df65841/spl-doc
• Triamcinolone acetonide ointment USP, 0.1%. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/6a31a0c3-2b6e-40e3-b5ea-5c665afd3567/spl-doc
• Triamcinolone acetonide topical aerosol USP, 0.147 mg/g. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/8c8307ed-d0c9-4f74-84a8-1471677a4f2a/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.