$Unique_ID{BRK02167}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{TRIAMCINOLONE (TOPICAL)}
$Subject{Aristocort (Lederle)
Aristocort A (Lederle)
Flutex (Syosset)
Kenac (NMC)
Kenalog (Squibb)
Kenalog-H (Squibb)
Triacet (various manufacturers)
triamcinolone acetonide (various manufacturers)
Triderm (Del-Rey)
Trymex (Savage)}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


TRIAMCINOLONE (TOPICAL)
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BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     Aristocort (Lederle)
     Aristocort A (Lederle)
     Flutex (Syosset)
     Kenac (NMC)
     Kenalog (Squibb)
     Kenalog-H (Squibb)
     Triacet (various manufacturers)
     triamcinolone acetonide (various manufacturers)
     Triderm (Del-Rey)
     Trymex (Savage)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Adrenocorticosteroid hormone
INGREDIENT:
     triamcinolone
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Ointment (0.025%, 0.1%, and 0.5%)
     Cream (0.025%, 0.1%, and 0.5%)
     Lotion (0.025% and 0.1%)
     Aerosol (two seconds of spray delivers approximately 0.2 mg of drug, with
       10.3% alcohol)
STORAGE:
     Triamcinolone ointment, cream, and lotion should be stored at room
       temperature in tightly closed containers.  This medication should never
       be frozen.
     The spray (foam) form of this medication is packed under pressure.  It
       should not be stored near heat or an open flame or in direct sunlight,
       and the container should never be punctured.

USES

     Your adrenal glands naturally produce certain cortisone-like chemicals.
These chemicals are involved in various processes in the body (such as
maintenance of fluid balance, regulation of temperature, and reaction to
inflammation).  Triamcinolone belongs to a group of drugs known as
adrenocorticosteroids (or cortisone-like medications).  It is used to relieve
the skin inflammation (redness, swelling, itching, and discomfort) associated
with conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, and poison ivy.  How this drug
acts to relieve these disorders is not completely understood.

TREATMENT

     Before applying this medication, wash your hands.  Then, unless your
doctor gives you different instructions, gently wash the area of the skin
where the medication is to be applied.  With a clean towel, pat the area
almost dry; it should be slightly damp when you put the medicine on.
     If you are using the lotion form of this medication, shake it well before
pouring out the medicine.  The contents tend to settle on the bottom of the
bottle, so it is necessary to shake the container to distribute the
ingredients evenly and equalize the doses.
     Apply a small amount of the medication to the affected area in a thin
layer.  Do not bandage the area unless your doctor tells you to do so.  If you
are to apply an occlusive dressing (like kitchen plastic wrap), be sure you
understand the instructions.  Wash your hands again after application.
     If you are using the aerosol spray form of this medication, shake the can
in order to disperse the medication evenly.  Hold the can upright six to eight
inches from the area to be sprayed, and spray the area for one to three
seconds.  DO NOT SMOKE while you are using the aerosol spray; the contents are
under pressure and may explode if exposed to heat or flames.
     If you miss a dose of this medication, apply the dose as soon as
possible, unless it is almost time for the next application.  In that case, do
not apply the missed dose; just return to your regular dosing schedule.  Do
not put twice as much of the medication on your skin at the next application.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Acne, burning sensation, irritation of the affected area, or skin
dryness.
     If the affected area is extremely dry or scaling, the skin may be
moistened by soaking in water or by applying water with a clean cloth before
applying the medication.  The ointment form is probably better for dry skin.
     A mild, temporary stinging sensation may occur after this medication is
applied.  If this persists, contact your doctor.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
blistering, increased hair growth, itching, loss of skin color, rash,
secondary infection in the area being treated, or thinning of the skin with
easy bruising.

INTERACTIONS

     This medication should not interact with other medications as long as it
is used according to the directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to triamcinolone or other adrenocorticosteroids
(such as amcinonide, betamethasone, clocortolone, cortisone, desonide,
desoximetasone, dexamethasone, diflorasone, flumethasone, fluocinolone,
fluocinonide, fluorometholone, flurandrenolide, halcinonide, hydrocortisone,
methylprednisolone, prednisolone, and prednisone).
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had blood vessel
disease, chicken pox, diabetes mellitus, fungal infection, peptic ulcers,
shingles, tuberculosis of the lungs or skin, vaccinia, or any other type of
infection, especially at the site currently being treated.
     * If irritation develops while using this drug, immediately discontinue
its use and notify your doctor.
     * This product is not for use in the eyes or on the mucous membranes;
contact may result in side effects.
     * Do not use this product with an occlusive wrap unless your doctor
directs you to do so.  Systemic absorption of this drug is increased if
extensive areas of the body are treated, particularly if occlusive bandages
are used.  If it is necessary for you to use this drug under a wrap, follow
your doctor's instructions exactly; do not leave the wrap in place longer than
specified.
     * If you are using this medication on a child's diaper area, do not put
tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants on the child.  This may lead to
increased systemic absorption of the drug and an increase in side effects.
     * In order to avoid freezing skin tissue when using the aerosol form of
triamcinolone, make sure that you do not spray for more than three seconds,
and hold the container at least six inches away from the skin.
     * To prevent side effects when using the aerosol form of this medication
on the face, cover your eyes, and do not inhale the spray.
     * Do not use this medication for longer than the time prescribed by your
doctor.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  If large amounts of
triamcinolone are applied for prolonged periods, some of it will be absorbed
and may cross the placenta.  Although studies in humans have not been
conducted, birth defects have been observed in the offspring of animals that
were given large oral doses of this type of drug during pregnancy.  Also, tell
your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant.  If absorbed through the
skin, small amounts of triamcinolone pass into breast milk and may cause
growth suppression or a decrease in natural adrenocorticosteroid hormone
production in the nursing infant.

----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
