DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: triamcinolone topical (trye am SIH no lone)
Brand Names: Aristocort Topical, Kenalog, Kenalog in Orabase, Triacet

What is triamcinolone topical?

Triamcinolone is a topical steroid. It reduces the actions of chemicals in the body that cause inflammation, redness, and swelling.

Triamcinolone topical is used to treat the inflammation caused by a number of conditions such as allergic reactions, eczema, and psoriasis. The dental paste form of triamcinolone is used to treat mouth ulcers.

Triamcinolone topical may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about triamcinolone topical?

Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as it has been prescribed by your doctor. Do not use the medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.

Do not cover treated skin areas with a bandage or other covering unless your doctor has told you to. If you are treating the diaper area of a baby, do not use plastic pants or tight-fitting diapers. Covering the skin that is treated with triamcinolone topical can increase the amount of the drug your skin absorbs, which may lead to unwanted side effects. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Avoid using this medication on your face, near your eyes, or on body areas where you have skin folds or thin skin.

Do not use this medication on a child without a doctor's advice. Children are more sensitive to the effects of triamcinolone topical.

Triamcinolone topical will not treat a bacterial, fungal, or viral skin infection.

Contact your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse after using this medication for several days.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using triamcinolone topical?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to triamcinolone.

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

• any skin infection, especially tuberculosis infection of the skin;

• chicken pox or herpes infection (including cold sores);

• diabetes; or

• a stomach ulcer.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use triamcinolone topical, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

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. It is not known whether triamcinolone topical passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not use this medication on a child without a doctor's advice. Children are more sensitive to the effects of triamcinolone topical.

How should I use triamcinolone topical?

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions on your prescription label.

Triamcinolone topical will not treat a bacterial, fungal, or viral skin infection.

Wash your hands before and after each application, unless you are using triamcinolone topical to treat a hand condition.

Apply a small amount to the affected area and rub it gently into the skin.

Avoid using this medication on your face, near your eyes or mouth, or on body areas where you have skin folds or thin skin.

If you are using the dental paste, apply the medication in a thin layer, just enough to cover the mouth ulcer. The paste may stick better if you dry the mouth ulcer before applying the medication.

Do not cover treated skin areas with a bandage or other covering unless your doctor has told you to. If you are treating the diaper area of a baby, do not use plastic pants or tight-fitting diapers. Covering the skin that is treated with triamcinolone topical can increase the amount of the drug your skin absorbs, which may lead to unwanted side effects. Follow your doctor's instructions. Contact your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse after using this medication for several days. It is important to use triamcinolone topical regularly to get the most benefit. Store triamcinolone topical at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine, or if anyone has accidentally swallowed it. An overdose of triamcinolone topical applied to the skin is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.

What should I avoid while using triamcinolone topical?

Avoid getting this medication in your eyes, mouth, and nose, or on your lips. If it does get into any of these areas, wash with water. Do not use triamcinolone topical on sunburned, windburned, irritated, or broken skin. Also avoid using this medication in open wounds.

Avoid using skin products that can cause irritation, such as harsh soaps or shampoos or skin cleansers, hair coloring or permanent chemicals, hair removers or waxes, or skin products with alcohol, spices, astringents, or lime. Do not use other medicated skin products unless your doctor has told you to.

Triamcinolone topical side effects

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. Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these signs that you may be absorbing triamcinolone topical through your skin or gums:

• blurred vision, or seeing halos around lights;

• uneven heartbeats;

• mood changes;

• sleep problems (insomnia);

• weight gain, puffiness in your face; or

• feeling tired.

Continue using the medication and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• skin redness, burning, itching, or peeling;

• thinning of your skin; or

• blistering skin; or

• stretch marks.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect triamcinolone topical?

There may be other drugs that can affect triamcinolone topical. 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.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has information about triamcinolone topical written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Triamcinolone topical is available with a prescription under several brand and generic names, including Aristocort, Kenalog, and Triacet. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• 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.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 5.03. Revision Date: 9/11/06 2:58:02 PM.