What is Aristocort Forte (Triamcinolone)?

Triamcinolone injection is a steroid. It prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.

Triamcinolone injection is injected into the joint space to treat inflammation of the joints or tendons to treat arthritis, bursitis, or epicondylitis (tennis elbow). It is usually given in these conditions only as a short-term treatment of a severe or aggravated episode.

Triamcinolone injection is injected into soft tissues of the body to treat certain skin disorders caused by autoimmune conditions such as lupus, psoriasis, lichen planus, and others.

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

What is the most important information I should know about Aristocort Forte (Triamcinolone)?

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to triamcinolone, or if you have a condition called idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP):

Before receiving triamcinolone injection, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have any type of infection (including tuberculosis), a thyroid disorder, a muscle disorder, stomach or intestinal problems, or if you have recently had a heart attack.

Long-term use of steroids can also cause harmful effects on your eyes. Your doctor may want you to have regular eye exams while you are receiving triamcinolone injection.

Steroids can affect growth in children. Talk with your doctor if you think your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medication.

Steroids can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections, making it easier for you to get sick from being around others who are ill, or from bacteria in a skin wound. Use caution to prevent illness, infection, or injury.

Do not receive a “live” vaccine while you are being treated with triamcinolone injection. The live vaccine may not work as well during this time, and may not fully protect you from disease.

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

There are many other medicines that can cause serious medical problems if you take them together with triamcinolone injection. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Aristocort Forte (Triamcinolone)?

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to triamcinolone, or if you have a condition called idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP):

Before receiving triamcinolone injection, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

any type of bacterial, fungal, or viral infection (including tuberculosis)
a thyroid disorder
a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis
diverticulitis, stomach or intestinal ulcer, or recent stomach surgery; or
if you have recently had a heart attack

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Triamcinolone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not receive this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

This medication can decrease bone formation, which could lead to osteoporosis, especially with long-term use. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk of bone loss while receiving triamcinolone injection.

Steroids can affect growth in children. Talk with your doctor if you think your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medication.

Aristocort Forte Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Aristocort Forte (Triamcinolone)?

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

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

fast, slow, or uneven heart rate
feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion
swelling, rapid weight gain
increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure)
problems with your vision
eye swelling, redness, discomfort, or drainage (may be signs of infection)
severe depression, changes in mood or behavior
seizure (convulsions); or
muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness

Less serious side effects may include:

nausea, bloating, appetite changes
stomach or side pain
headache, sleep problems (insomnia)
acne, scaling, or other skin changes
a wound that is slow to heal
thinning hair
bruising or swelling
sweating more than usual; or
irregular menstrual periods

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Aristocort Forte Interactions

What other drugs affect Aristocort Forte (Triamcinolone)?

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

aminoglutethimide (Cytadren)
birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin)
cyclosporine (Neoral, Gengraf, Sandimmune)
digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin)
insulin or diabetes medications you take by mouth
isoniazid (used to treat tuberculosis)
rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
seizure medication such as phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), phenytoin (Dilantin), carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), and others,
antibiotics such as azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), and others; or
aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), piroxicam (Feldene), and others

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with triamcinolone injection. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Aristocort Forte (Triamcinolone)?

Do not receive a “live” vaccine while you are being treated with triamcinolone injection. The live vaccine may not work as well during this time, and may not fully protect you from disease.

Aristocort Forte Dosage

How should I take Aristocort Forte (Triamcinolone)?

Triamcinolone injection is given as an injection into a joint or soft tissue (such as a psoriasis lesion). Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting.

Steroids can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to get sick from being around others who are ill, or from bacteria in a skin wound. Steroids can also slow the healing of skin wounds. Use caution to prevent illness, infection, or injury.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time if you have recently received a triamcinolone injection injection.

Long-term use of steroids can cause harmful effects on the eyes, such as glaucoma or cataracts. If you receive triamcinolone injection for longer than 6 weeks, your doctor may want you to have regular eye exams.

Steroid medications should not be stopped suddenly. You may need to receive less and less before you are taken off the medication completely.

Your doctor may instruct you to limit your salt intake while you are receiving triamcinolone injection. You may also need to take potassium supplements. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are being treated with triamcinolone injection.

What happens if I overdose on Aristocort Forte (Triamcinolone)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine.

Since this medication is given by a healthcare professional, an acute overdose is unlikely to occur.

What happens if I miss a dose of Aristocort Forte (Triamcinolone)?

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

Edited from everydayhealth.com

Aristocort Forte Triamcinolone

Aristocort Forte (Triamcinolone)