Clinacort (Injection)

Generic name: triamcinolone [ trye-am-SIN-oh-lone ]
Brand names: Aristocort, Aristocort Forte, Aristospan, Clinacort, Kenalog-10, ... show all 10 brands
Drug class: Glucocorticoids

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 9, 2024.

Uses for Clinacort

Triamcinolone injection is used to treat inflammation (swelling), allergic reactions, certain types of arthritis, gout, skin diseases, and many other medical problems. It is given to patients who are not able to take medicines by the mouth. This medicine is a corticosteroid (cortisone-like medicine or steroid).

This medicine is to be administered only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.

Before using Clinacort

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of triamcinolone injection in the pediatric population. However, because of this medicine's toxicity, it should be used with caution especially in premature babies.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of triamcinolone injection in the elderly.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

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. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Desmopressin
Rotavirus Vaccine, Live

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Aldesleukin
Aspirin
Atazanavir
Balofloxacin
Bemiparin
Besifloxacin
Ceritinib
Ciprofloxacin
Cobicistat
Darunavir
Enoxacin
Fleroxacin
Flumequine
Gatifloxacin
Gemifloxacin
Levofloxacin
Lomefloxacin
Lutetium Lu 177 Dotatate
Macimorelin
Moxifloxacin
Nadifloxacin
Nadroparin
Nirmatrelvir
Norfloxacin
Ofloxacin
Pazufloxacin
Pefloxacin
Prulifloxacin
Ritonavir
Rufloxacin
Sargramostim
Somatrogon-ghla
Sparfloxacin
Tosufloxacin

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Alcuronium
Atracurium
Auranofin
Fosphenytoin
Gallamine
Hexafluorenium
Licorice
Metocurine
Phenytoin
Primidone
Saiboku-To

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Proper use of Clinacort

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. You may also be taught how to give your medicine at home. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles, a joint, or a spot on your skin called a lesion.

Precautions while using Clinacort

Your doctor will check your progress closely while you or your child are receiving this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to receive it.

This medicine contains benzyl alcohol which may cause serious reactions (e.g., gasping syndrome, low blood pressure, and metabolic acidosis) to newborn or premature infants. Discuss this with your doctor if you are concerned.

This medicine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have a rash; itching; hoarseness; trouble breathing; trouble swallowing; or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after receiving this medicine.

Let your doctor know if you or your child have any events causing unusual stress or anxiety in your life. Your doctor may give you oral corticosteroids.

This medicine may cause fluid retention (edema) in some patients. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet (especially on salt intake).

Using too much of this medicine or using it for a long time may increase your risk of having adrenal gland problems. The risk is greater for children and for patients who use large amounts for a long time. Talk to your doctor if you have more than one of these symptoms while you are using this medicine: blurred vision; dizziness or fainting; a fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat; increased thirst or urination; irritability; or unusual tiredness or weakness.

It may be easier for you to get an infection while you or your child are receiving triamcinolone. Avoid crowded places or being near people who are sick. If you are exposed to chicken pox or measles, tell your doctor right away.

Tell your doctor if you or your child have recently spent time in a tropical climate or have unexplained diarrhea before receiving this medicine.

Talk with your doctor before getting flu shots or other vaccines while you or your child are receiving this medicine because there are certain vaccines that you should not receive.

Check with your doctor immediately if blurred vision, difficulty in reading, or any other change in vision occurs during or after treatment. Your doctor may want you or your child to have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

Before you have any skin tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are taking this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

Do not stop using this medicine without checking first with your doctor. Your doctor may want you or your child to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping it completely

This medicine may cause slow growth. If your child is using this medicine, the doctor will need to keep track of your child's height and weight to make sure that your child is growing properly.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects of Clinacort

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 or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Aggression
agitation
anxiety
blurred vision
decrease in the amount of urine
dizziness
fast, slow, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
headache
irritability
mental depression
mood changes
nervousness
noisy, rattling breathing
numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
pounding in the ears
shortness of breath
swelling of the fingers, hands, feet, or lower legs
trouble thinking, speaking, or walking
troubled breathing at rest
weight gain

Incidence not known

Abdominal cramping and/or burning (severe)
abdominal pain
backache
bloody, black, or tarry stools
cough or hoarseness
darkening of skin
decreased vision
diarrhea
dry mouth
eye pain
eye tearing
facial hair growth in females
fainting
fatigue
fever or chills
flushed, dry skin
fractures
fruit-like breath odor
full or round face, neck, or trunk
heartburn and/or indigestion (severe and continuous)
increased hunger
increased thirst
increased urination
loss of appetite
loss of sexual desire or ability
lower back or side pain
menstrual irregularities
muscle pain or tenderness
muscle wasting or weakness
nausea
pain in back, ribs, arms, or legs
painful or difficult urination
skin rash
sleeplessness
sweating
trouble healing
trouble sleeping
unexplained weight loss
unusual tiredness or weakness
vision changes
vomiting
vomiting of material that looks like coffee grounds

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