triamcinolone
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.
What is Triamcinolone?
What is Triamcinolone used for?
Inflammatory skin conditions
How Triamcinolone works
Triamcinolone is a topical corticosteroid. When it’s used on the skin, it has 3 actions:
It lowers the amount of chemicals that cause redness, itching, and swelling, which helps to reduce inflammation.
It slows down new skin cells from being made, which can help minimize patches or scales in certain skin problems (e.g., psoriasis).
It lessens your body's immune response, improving certain skin problems that are caused by a sensitive immune system (e.g., eczema).
Drug Facts
More on Triamcinolone essentials
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What are the side effects of Triamcinolone?
Common Side Effects
- Burning
- Itching
- Skin irritation
- Dry skin
Other Side Effects
- Inflamed hair follicles
- Excessive hair growth
- Acne-like bumps
- Changes in skin color
- Rash
- Skin thinning
- Stretch marks
- Heat rash
Serious Side Effects
- Withdrawal symptoms: long-term fatigue, muscle weakness, poor appetite, weight loss, stomach pain
Source:Â DailyMed
The following side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Incidence not known
Blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin
irritation
itching, scaling, severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin
redness and scaling around the mouth
thinning of the skin with easy bruising, especially when used on the face or where the skin folds together (e.g. between the fingers)
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Incidence not known
burning and itching of the skin with pinhead-sized red blisters
burning, itching, and pain in hairy areas, or pus at the root of the hair
increased hair growth on the forehead, back, arms, and legs
lightening of normal skin color
lightening of treated areas of dark skin
reddish purple lines on the arms, face, legs, trunk, or groin
softening of the skin
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Pros and cons of 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
Pharmacist tips for Triamcinolone
Triamcinolone should only be used on skin that's not broken. Don't use it on wounds or on damaged skin because this can cause more side effects.
Wash your hands after using triamcinolone to avoid getting the medication in your eyes (unless you're treating your hands). If it does get into your eyes, rinse them with water or saline, and contact your primary care provider if irritation doesn't go away.
Avoid covering the treated area with a bandage after applying triamcinolone unless directed by your healthcare team. If applying around the diaper area, don't use tight fitting diapers or plastic pants on your child. Doing so might affect how much medication gets absorbed.
Triamcinolone isn't meant for long-term use. Talk to your prescriber about how long your treatment should last.
If you're using triamcinolone topical spray, make sure you don't inhale (breathe in) the medication. Also, avoid applying this medication to your face or skin folds (e.g., armpits) unless directed by your care team.
Triamcinolone topical spray is flammable. Avoid applying this medication near heat sources, such as heater or open flame. And don't smoke during application.
Frequently asked questions about Triamcinolone
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What are the risks and warnings for Triamcinolone?
Triamcinolone can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Reduced adrenal gland function
Risk factors: Using high potency topical steroids | Using triamcinolone for a long period of time | Using excessive amounts of triamcinolone on your skin | Covering applied area with a bandage | Young children
In some rare cases, using topical triamcinolone for a long time and over a large skin area can cause a medical condition called adrenal suppression. This happens when your body doesn't make enough of steroid hormones, which creates a dependence on steroid medication. And if you suddenly stop the medication, it can lead to symptoms of withdrawal such as fever, joint or muscle pain, and low energy. In children, symptoms often include stunted growth, weight gain, and headaches. To prevent adrenal suppression from happening, your healthcare team will prescribe the lowest possible dose of triamcinolone for the shortest amount of time. Let your prescriber know if you have symptoms of withdrawal. Don't suddenly stop using triamcinolone without talking to your care team first.
Skin infection
Using triamcinolone long term can raise the risk of skin infections, such as fungal or bacterial infections. Don't use triamcinolone if you have a skin infection because it can make your infection worse. Let your healthcare team know if you have redness, swelling, pain, pus, or if your current symptoms don't improve after a few days of treatment. These can be signs and symptoms of a new infection.
Skin problems
Risk factors: Excessive and inappropriate use of triamcinolone | Using a lot of triamcinolone
Using triamcinolone longer than directed by your healthcare team can raise your risk of different skin reactions, including skin thinning, stretch marks, spider veins, burning, itching, irritation, dry skin, inflamed hair follicles, changes in skin color, or rash. To prevent severe skin reactions from happening, your care team will prescribe the lowest possible dose of triamcinolone to treat your symptoms for the shortest amount of time. Let your healthcare team know right away if you notice any new or worsening skin problems.
Triamcinolone dosage forms
Typical dosing for Triamcinolone
Triamcinolone topical lotion and spray: Apply a small amount to the affected area(s) 3 to 4 times daily.
Triamcinolone topical 0.025% cream: Apply a thin layer to the affected area(s) 2 to 4 times daily.
Triamcinolone topical 0.1% and 0.5% cream: Apply a thin layer to the affected area(s) 2 to 3 times daily.
Triamcinolone topical 0.025% and 0.05% ointment: Apply a thin layer to the affected area(s) 2 to 4 times daily.
Triamcinolone topical 0.1% ointment: Apply a small amount to the affected area(s) 2 to 3 times daily.
Triamcinolone Reviews
GoodRx has partnered with PatientsLikeMe to provide reviews on the different aspects of Triamcinolone.
Effectiveness
Learn more about the effectiveness of Triamcinolone based on real life experiences.
Overall Rating
Based on 53 people taking this medication
3.4
Effectiveness by condition:
psoriasis24 reviews
2.6
discoid lupus erythematosus14 reviews
4.4
eczema7 reviews
3.8
dyshidrotic eczema5 reviews
2.5
atopic dermatitis3 reviews
3.8
Severity of side effects
Based on 95 people taking this medication
0%
50%
100%
Top side effects
Burning sensation in skin
3%
Skin thinning
3%
Agitation
2%
Anxious mood
2%
Blisters
2%
Reasons people stopped taking Triamcinolone
Based on 119 people who have taken this medication
Course of treatment ended
33%
Did not seem to work
32%
Doctor's advice
16%
Other
12%
Side effects too severe
5%
Expense
3%
Change in health plan coverage
1%
Personal research
1%
How long people take Triamcinolone
Based on 140 people taking this medication
0%
50%
100%
Interactions between Triamcinolone and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
How much does Triamcinolone cost?
What are alternatives to Triamcinolone?
Skin rashes and other skin irritation
Treatment of skin rashes and itchy skin - cream and ointment only
Treatment of eczema
What is the latest news about Triamcinolone?
Triamcinolone images
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References
Best studies we foundArthritis Foundation. (n.d.). How safe are steroid creams?
Ascend Laboratories, LLC. (2024). TRIAMCINOLONE ACETONIDE cream [package insert]. DailyMed.
Cintex Services, LLC. (2020). TRIAMCINOLONE ACETONIDE- triamcinolone acetonide ointment [package insert]. DailyMed.
Cosette Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2022). TRIAMCINOLONE ACETONIDE lotion [package insert]. DailyMed.
Cosette Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2022). TRIAMCINOLONE ACETONIDE- triamcinolone acetonide ointment [packager insert]. DailyMed.
Dey, V. K. (2014). Misuse of topical corticosteroids: A clinical study of adverse effects. Indian Dermatology Online Journal.
Fowler Jr, J, et al. (2010). Physician and Patient Assessment of Triamcinolone Acetonide Spray for Steroid-responsive Dermatoses. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology.
Lam, L. H., et al. (2016). Adrenal Suppression With Chronic Topical Corticosteroid Use in Psoriasis Patients. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.
Leggit, J. C. (2017). Acute and Chronic Paronychia. American Family Physician
Smith, J. F. (1963). The clinical use of triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of herpes simplex of the oral mucous membranes. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology.
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. (2018). KENALOG- triamcinolone acetonide aerosol, spray [package insert]. DailyMed.
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