Triesence

Generic name: triamcinolone (intravitreal) [ trye-am-SIN-oh-lone-IN-tra-VIT-ree-al ]
Drug class: Ophthalmic steroids

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Oct 4, 2023.

What is Triesence?

Triesence contains triamcinolone, a corticosteroid. It prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.

Triesence is injected into the eye to treat inflammation caused by disease or injury. It is usually given after steroid eye drops have been used without successful treatment of symptoms.

Triesence is also used during a certain type of eye surgery (vitrectomy).

Warnings

You should not receive Triesence if you are allergic to triamcinolone, or if you have a fungal infection anywhere in your body. Do not use Triesence without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Before receiving Triesence, tell your doctor if you have any type of bacterial, fungal, or viral infection (including tuberculosis). Also tell your doctor if you have cataracts or glaucoma, herpes infection of your eye, diabetes, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, a thyroid disorder, myasthenia gravis, a stomach or intestinal disorder, or a history of recent heart attack.

Before you receive any vaccine, talk with the doctor who is treating you with Triesence. Some vaccines may not work as well or could cause harmful side effects during treatment with steroid medicine.

Steroids can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles.

There are many other medicines that can interact with Triesence. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

Before taking this medicine

You should not be treated with Triesence if you are allergic to triamcinolone, or if you have a fungal infection anywhere in your body.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• any type of bacterial, fungal, or viral infection;

• a parasite infection;

• tuberculosis;

• herpes infection of your eye;

• cataracts or glaucoma;

• a thyroid disorder;

• high blood pressure, heart failure, or heart attack;

• diabetes;

• osteoporosis, or low bone mineral density;

• diverticulitis, stomach or intestinal ulcer, or stomach surgery; or

• a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis.

Do not use Triesence if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby or cause birth defects. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are receiving this medicine.

It may not be safe to breast-feed a baby while you are using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risks.

How is Triesence given?

Triesence will be injected into your eye by healthcare professional in a clinic setting. The doctor will use a medicine to numb your eye before giving you the injection.

After the Triesence injection, you will be watched closely for any swelling, inflammation, or increased pressure in your eye.

You will need frequent medical tests and eye exams.

Your doctor may instruct you to limit your salt intake, and you may need to take potassium supplements. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Steroid medicine can affect your immune system. You may get infections more easily. Steroids can also slow the healing of skin wounds. Use caution to prevent illness, infection, or injury.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose of Triesence for Uveitis:

4 mg (100 microliters of 40 mg/mL suspension) with subsequent dosage as needed over the course of treatment

Comments:
-Strict aseptic technique is mandatory.
-The vial should be vigorously shaken for 10 seconds before use.
-Prior to withdrawal, the suspension should be inspected for clumping or granular appearance (agglomeration).
-After withdrawal, the suspension should be injected without delay.
-Careful technique should be employed to avoid the possibility of entering a blood vessel or introducing organisms that can cause infection.

Uses:
-Treatment of sympathetic ophthalmia
-Treatment of temporal arteritis
-Treatment of uveitis
-Treatment of ocular inflammatory conditions unresponsive to topical

Usual Adult Dose of Triesence for Temporal Arteritis:

4 mg (100 microliters of 40 mg/mL suspension) with subsequent dosage as needed over the course of treatment

Comments:
-Strict aseptic technique is mandatory.
-The vial should be vigorously shaken for 10 seconds before use.
-Prior to withdrawal, the suspension should be inspected for clumping or granular appearance (agglomeration).
-After withdrawal, the suspension should be injected without delay.
-Careful technique should be employed to avoid the possibility of entering a blood vessel or introducing organisms that can cause infection.

Uses:
-Treatment of sympathetic ophthalmia
-Treatment of temporal arteritis
-Treatment of uveitis
-Treatment of ocular inflammatory conditions unresponsive to topical

Usual Adult Dose of Triesence for Vitrectomy:

1 to 4 mg (25 to 100 microliters of 40 mg/mL suspension) administered intravitreally

Comments:
-Strict aseptic technique is mandatory.
-The vial should be vigorously shaken for 10 seconds before use.
-Prior to withdrawal, the suspension should be inspected for clumping or granular appearance (agglomeration).
-After withdrawal, the suspension should be injected without delay.
-Careful technique should be employed to avoid the possibility of entering a blood vessel or introducing organisms that can cause infection.

Use: Visualization during vitrectomy

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Since this medicine is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid while receiving Triesence?

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chickenpox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using steroid medicine.

Do not receive a smallpox vaccine or any other "live" vaccine while using Triesence. The vaccine may not work as well and may not fully protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), and zoster (shingles).

Triesence side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Triesence: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• signs of eye infection - swelling, redness, severe discomfort, crusting or drainage;

• blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;

• unusual changes in mood or behavior;

• swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath;

• muscle pain or weakness;

• large red or purple spots on your skin;

• any wound that will not heal;

• increased thirst or urination;

• severe stomach pain, bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

• low potassium - leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, numbness or tingling, limp feeling; or

• signs of low adrenal gland hormones - flu-like symptoms, headache, weakness, tiredness, diarrhea, vomiting, craving salty foods, and feeling light-headed.

Triamcinolone can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while receiving this medicine.

Common Triesence side effects may include:

• blurred vision; or

• increased appetite.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Related/similar drugs

What other drugs will affect Triesence?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect triamcinolone, especially:

• a diuretic or "water pill";

• insulin or oral diabetes medicine;

• birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy;

• medicine to treat any type of infection;

• a blood thinner - warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven; or

• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) - aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may interact with triamcinolone. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Further information

• Your doctor can provide more information about Triesence.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Triesence only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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