Triamcinolone (injection)
Drug Name(s): Kenalog, Zilretta, generic
Class: Corticosteroids
Triamcinolone injections generally are used as short-term, add-on therapy. These joint injections help manage inflammation in gout, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other joint inflammation.
Zilretta is a longer-acting form of the drug used to treat knee osteoarthritis. It is not interchangeable with other types of triamcinolone.
Dosage
Form(s): liquid or powder
A single local injection of 2.5 mg to 5 mg for smaller joints and from 5 mg to 15 mg for larger joints is frequently sufficient, but several injections may be needed for adequate relief of symptoms.
Special Instructions
Injections are given in a doctor’s office by injection or, for Zilretta, by autoinjector.
For Zilretta, powder is diluted for extended-release form. Your doctor may use a needle to remove some of the joint fluid or inject a local anesthetic before injecting the drug into the joint. Zilretta cannot be substituted with other injectable forms of traimcinolone.
Potential Side Effects
Increased risk of infection. Agitation, anxiety or mood changes; blurred vision, bruising; changes in menstrual periods; cough; difficulty sleeping; excessive sweating; fluid retention; headache; nausea; skin discoloration; trouble breathing; swelling in hands, fingers, lower legs or feet; weight gain
Be Aware
Do not receive a live vaccine while using this drug. Before having an injection, let your doctor know if you have had a chronic infection, including tuberculosis; idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura; high blood pressure or a recent heart attack; cataracts or glaucoma; kidney or liver disease; osteoporosis; herpes infection of the eye; joint infection; a parasitic infection; or peptic ulcers.
