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Tacrolimus vs. Triamcinolone

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Tacrolimus (Protopic) and triamcinolone are both topical medications that can be used to treat eczema, but they have some important differences. Tacrolimus is a calcineurin inhibitor, while triamcinolone is a corticosteroid. Tacrolimus is specifically FDA-approved for moderate-to-severe eczema in adults and children ages 2 and older, whereas triamcinolone is used for a number of inflammatory skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, and skin allergies. Tacrolimus is an ointment that is applied twice daily, while triamcinolone comes in multiple forms, such as creams, ointments, lotions, and sprays, and is applied 2 to 4 times daily depending on the formulation. Common tacrolimus side effects include burning, itching, and flu-like symptoms. Triamcinolone rarely causes side effects, but can cause include burning, itching, and dryness. Tacrolimus may increase your risk of skin infections and sensitivity to sunlight, while triamcinolone can cause skin thinning and other skin changes if used excessively or for long periods of time.

Tacrolimus

(Prograf)

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Triamcinolone

 

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Summary for Tacrolimus

Prescription only

Tacrolimus (Prograf) is a medication used to prevent organ rejection after an organ transplant. The immediate-release (IR) capsules are available as a lower-cost generic medication, whereas the IR granules (Prograf) and extended-release (ER) capsules (Astagraf XL) are only available as brand-name medications. Tacrolimus (Prograf) is taken by mouth, typically twice daily. Your provider will check your tacrolimus level through blood work and adjust your dose if needed. Common side effects of tacrolimus (Prograf) include tremors, headache, diarrhea, and nausea.

Indications for Tacrolimus

Prevention of organ transplant rejection, including:

Pros and Cons for Tacrolimus

Pros

  • Available in short-acting and long-acting forms, so there's an option to take once or twice daily
  • Available as granules to mix into a solution (Prograf), so it's convenient for people who have trouble swallowing
  • Can be used to prevent organ rejection after different types of transplant
  • Less likely to cause high cholesterol levels compared to other transplant medications

Cons

  • Interacts with many medications, such as phenytoin (Dilantin) and omeprazole (Prilosec)
  • Need to get regular blood work to check for appropriate dose and side effects
  • Risk of serious infections
  • Can cause side effects such as tremor, headache, and diarrhea

Common Side Effects for Tacrolimus

  • Tremor (54%)
  • High blood pressure (50%)
  • Changes in electrolyte levels (up to 49%)
  • Infections (up to 45%)
  • Higher creatinine levels (45%)
  • Headache (44%)
  • Diarrhea (44%)
  • Nausea (38%)
  • Swelling of hands and feet (36%)
  • Constipation (35%)
  • Feeling weak (34%)
  • General pain (up to 33%)
  • Trouble sleeping (32%)
  • Low red blood cell count (30%)

Warnings for Tacrolimus

  • Possible risk of skin or lymph node cancer
  • Serious infections
  • Higher risk of death in females taking Astagraf XL after liver transplant (not an FDA-approved use)
  • High blood sugar
  • Kidney problems
  • Nerve or brain problems
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart problems
  • Blood problems
  • Harm to unborn babies and lower sperm count
  • Interaction with vaccines
  • Interaction with other medications

Summary for Triamcinolone

Prescription only

Triamcinolone is a topical corticosteroid used to treat different inflammatory skin conditions, like eczema psoriasis, or skin allergies, in adults and children. It works by reducing inflammation, redness, and irritation. The medication is available in various formulations, such as cream, ointment, lotion, and topical spray. Depending on the formulation, it's typically applied between 2 to 4 times a day. Side effects are rare, but can include burning, itching, and dryness at the application site.

Indications for Triamcinolone

  • Inflammatory skin conditions

Pros and Cons for Triamcinolone

Pros

  • Symptoms typically start to improve within a few days
  • Many formulations to choose from, such as ointment, cream, lotion, and spray
  • Might have less side effects compared to oral steroids that you take by mouth

Cons

  • For short-term use only
  • Children might absorb more of this medication, raising the risk of side effects
  • Needs to be applied multiple times a day

Common Side Effects for Triamcinolone

  • Burning
  • Itching
  • Skin irritation
  • Dry skin

Warnings for Triamcinolone

  • Reduced adrenal gland function
  • Skin infection
  • Skin problems

Prices with our coupons for Tacrolimus vs. Triamcinolone

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Tacrolimus1 tube / 60g of 0.1%
$53.13$465.01
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Triamcinolone1 jar / 430g of 0.05%
$64.72$807.22
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