Triamcinolone Topical

Triamcinolone Topical is a prescription medication used to treat Topical Inflammatory Dermatoses, and Oral Inflammatory or Ulcerative Lesions.

• Triamcinolone Topical is available under the following different brand names: Kenalog Orabase, Kenalog topical, Pediaderm TA, Triacet, Trianex.  

Adult and pediatric dosage

Cream/ointment

• 0.025%
• 0.1%
• 0.5%

Lotion

• 0.025%
• 0.1%

Dental paste

• 0.1%

Aerosol solution

• 0.0147%

Therapy pack

• 0.1% (contains cetyl alcohol, methylparaben, propylene glycol)

Kit

• 0.1% (contains propylene glycol)

Topical Inflammatory Dermatoses

Adult and pediatric dosage

• Cream/ointment: Apply thin film to affected areas twice or four times daily
• Lotion (0.025%): Apply thin film to affected area three or four times daily
• Lotion (0.1%): Apply thin film to affected area twice or four times daily
• Aerosol solution: Apply to affected area three or four times daily
• See also combination with nystatin

Oral Inflammatory or Ulcerative Lesions

Adult dosage

• Dental paste: Apply as thin film enough to cover the lesion before bedtime; may increase to twice or three times daily after meals if lesions are severe

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages."

Common side effects of Triamcinolone Topical include:

• burning, itching, dryness, or other irritation of treated skin, 
• redness or crusting around the hair follicles, 
• redness or itching around the mouth, 
• allergic skin reaction, 
• stretch marks, 
• acne, 
• increased body hair growth, 
• thinning skin or discoloration, and
• white or “pruned” appearance of the skin (caused by covering treated skin with a tight bandage or other covering)

Serious side effects of Triamcinolone Topical include:

• hives, 
• difficulty breathing, 
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, 
• worsening of your skin condition, 
• redness, warmth, swelling, oozing, or severe irritation of any treated skin, 
• blurred vision, 
• tunnel vision, 
• eye pain, 
• seeing halos around lights, 
• increased thirst, 
• increased urination, 
• dry mouth, 
• fruity breath odor, 
• weight gain (especially in the face or the upper back and torso),
• slow wound healing, 
• thinning or discolored skin, 
• increased body hair, 
• muscle weakness, 
• nausea, 
• diarrhea, 
• tiredness, 
• mood changes, 
• menstrual changes, and
• sexual changes

Rare side effects of Triamcinolone Topical include:

• none 

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first.

• Triamcinolone Topical has no noted  severe interactions with other drugs.
• Triamcinolone Topical has no noted serious interactions with other drugs.
• Triamcinolone Topical has no noted moderate interactions with other drugs. 
• Triamcinolone Topical has no noted  minor interactions with other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this drug, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your physician if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Underlying fungal, bacterial, or viral infection
• Hypersensitivity
• Ophthalmic use

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Triamcinolone Topical?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Triamcinolone Topical?”

Cautions

• Chronic topical corticosteroid therapy may interfere with growth and development in children
• Use medium to very high potency for less than 2 weeks to reduce local and systemic side effects
• Use low potency for chronic therapy
• Avoid medium to very high potency on face, folds, and groin because can increase steroid absorption
• Use lower potency for children (i.e., increase BSA/kg, therefore increase systemic absorption)
• Prolonged use may result in bacterial or fungal superinfection; discontinue if dermatological infection persists despite antimicrobial therapy
• Discontinue if local sensitization including irritation or redness occurs
• Avoid use of high potency steroids in the face
• May cause hypercorticism or suppression of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, especially in younger children or patients receiving high doses for prolonged periods; HPA axis suppression may lead to adrenal crisis
• Absorption may be increased by use of occlusive dressings, application to denuded skin or to large surface areas; percutaneous absorption may cause manifestations of Cushing’s syndrome, hyperglycemia, or glycosuria

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks during pregnancy.
• Lactation: Not known whether topical corticosteroids are distributed into milk; however, systemic corticosteroids are distributed into milk; use with caution.