Triamcinolone


Triamcinolone is a glucocorticoid used to treat certain skin diseases, allergies, and rheumatic disorders among others. It is also used to prevent worsening of asthma and COPD. It can be taken in various ways including by mouth, injection into a muscle, and inhalation.
Common side effects with long term use include osteoporosis, cataracts, thrush, and muscle weakness. Serious side effects may include psychosis, increased risk of infections, adrenal suppression, and bronchospasm. Use in pregnancy is generally safe. It works by decreasing inflammation and immune system activity.
Triamcinolone was patented in 1956 and came into medical use in 1958. It is available as a generic medication. In the United States the wholesale cost is about US$0.06 per gram for the cream. In 2017, it was the 103rd most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than seven million prescriptions.

Medical uses

Triamcinolone is used to treat a number of different medical conditions, such as eczema, lichen sclerosus, psoriasis, arthritis, allergies, ulcerative colitis, lupus, sympathetic ophthalmia, temporal arteritis, uveitis, ocular inflammation, keloids, urushiol-induced contact dermatitis, aphthous ulcers, central retinal vein occlusion, visualization during vitrectomy and the prevention of asthma attacks.
The derivative triamcinolone acetonide is the active ingredient in various topical skin preparations designed to treat skin conditions such as rash, inflammation, redness, or intense itching due to eczema and dermatitis.

Side effects

Side effects of triamcinolone include sore throat, nosebleeds, increased coughing, headache, and runny nose. White patches in the throat or nose indicate a serious side effect. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itch, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

Chemistry

Triamcinolone is a synthetic pregnane corticosteroid and derivative of cortisol and is also known as 1-dehydro-9α-fluoro-16α-hydroxyhydrocortisone or 9α-fluoro-16α-hydroxyprednisolone as well as 9α-fluoro-11β,16α,17α,21-tetrahydroxypregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione.

Society and culture

In 2010, TEVA and Perrigo launched the first generic inhalable triamcinolone.
According to Chang et al., "Triamcinolone acetonide is classified as an S9 glucocorticoid in the 2014 Prohibited List published by the World Anti-Doping Agency, which caused it to be prohibited in international athletic competition when administered orally, intravenously, intramuscularly or rectally".

Brand names

Trade names for triamcinolone include Aristocort, Azmacort, Kenacort, Kenalog, Nincort, Ratio-Triacomb, Triaderm, Trianex, Tricort, Tricortone, Trilone, Tristoject, Volon A.