Kenacort retard

Uses

What is Kenacort® Retard (triamcinolone acetonide) used for?

Kenacort® Retard is a corticosteroid (cortisone-like medicine or steroid), which is commonly used to treat following medical conditions, such as:

• Inflammation (swelling)
• Allergic reactions
• Certain types of arthritis
• Gout
• Skin diseases
• Other medical problems

Kenacort® Retard is given to patients who are not able to take medicines by the mouth. It may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should I take Kenacort® Retard (triamcinolone acetonide)?

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

How do I store Kenacort® Retard (triamcinolone acetonide)?

Kenacort® Retard is best stored at room temperature away from direct light and moisture. To prevent drug damage, you should not store Kenacort® Retard in the bathroom or the freezer. There may be different brands of Kenacort® Retard that may have different storage needs. It is important to always check the product package for instructions on storage, or ask your pharmacist. For safety, you should keep all medicines away from children and pets.

You should not flush Kenacort® Retard down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. It is important to properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Precautions & warnings

What should I know before using Kenacort® Retard (triamcinolone acetonide)?

Consult with your doctor or pharmacist, if:

• You are pregnant or breastfeeding. This is because, while you are expecting or feeding a baby, you should only take medicines on the recommendation of a doctor.
• You are taking any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, such as herbal and complementary medicines.
• You have allergy with any of active or inactive ingredients of Kenacort® Retard or other medications.
• You have any other illnesses, disorders, or medical conditions.

Is it safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

There are no adequate studies in women for determining risk when using this medication during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Please always consult with your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before taking this medication. This medication is pregnancy risk category C, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

FDA pregnancy risk category reference below:

• A=No risk
• B=No risk in some studies
• C=There may be some risk
• D=Positive evidence of risk
• X=Contraindicated
• N=Unknown

Side effects

What side effects can occur from Kenacort® Retard (triamcinolone acetonide)?

Kenacort® Retard may cause following side effects, such as:

• 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

Not everyone experiences these side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have any concerns about a side-effect, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions

What drugs may interact with Kenacort® Retard (triamcinolone acetonide)?

Kenacort® Retard may interact with other drugs that you are currently taking, which can change how your drug works or increase your risk for serious side effects. To avoid any potential drug interactions, you should keep a list of all the drugs you are using (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. For your safety, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any drugs without your doctor’s approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include:

• Aldesleukin, mifepristone, drugs for diabetes, estrogens (e.g., birth control pills)
• Drugs that can cause bleeding/bruising (including antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel, “blood thinners’ such as dabigatran/warfarin, NSAIDS such as aspirin/celecoxib/ibuprofen)
• Drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove triamcinolone from your body (rifamycins such as rifampin; certain anti-seizure medications such as phenytoin and phenobarbital)
• Live vaccines
• Certain herbal products (e.g., licorice)

Does food or alcohol interact with Kenacort® Retard (triamcinolone acetonide)?

Kenacort® Retard may interact with food or alcohol by altering the way the drug works or increase the risk for serious side effects. Please discuss with your doctor or pharmacist any potential food or alcohol interactions before using this drug.

What health conditions may interact with Kenacort® Retard (triamcinolone acetonide)?

Kenacort® Retard may interact with your health condition. This interaction may worsen your health condition or alter the way the drug works. It is important to always let your doctor and pharmacist know all the health conditions you currently have.

These health conditions are:

• Bone problems (e.g., osteoporosis)
• Cataracts
• Cirrhosis (liver problem)
• Congestive heart failure
• Depression
• Emotional problems
• Glaucoma
• Heart attack
• Heart disease
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Intracranial hypertension (increased pressure in the head)
• Kaposi’s sarcoma
• Kidney disease
• Mental illness
• Myasthenia gravis (severe muscle weakness)
• Stomach or bowel problems (e.g., diverticulitis, ulcers, ulcerative colitis)
• Thyroid problems
• Brain injury, traumatic
• Cerebral malaria
• Herpes infection of the eye
• Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (low platelet count)
• Infection (bacteria, virus, fungus, parasite, or protozoa)
• Tuberculosis infection, inactive

Dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for any medical advice. You should ALWAYS consult with your doctor or pharmacist before using this medication.

What is the dose of Kenacort® Retard (triamcinolone acetonide) for an adult?

Systemic

The suggested initial dose is 60 mg, injected deeply into the gluteal muscle. Atrophy of subcutaneous fat may occur if the injection is not properly given. Dosage is usually adjusted within the range of 40 mg to 80 mg, depending upon patient response and duration of relief. However, some patients may be well controlled on doses as low as 20 mg or less.

Hay fever/pollen asthma: Patients with hay fever or pollen asthma who are not responding to pollen administration and other conventional therapy may obtain a remission of symptoms lasting throughout the pollen season after a single injection of 40 mg to 100 mg.

In the treatment of acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis: daily doses of 160 mg of triamcinolone for a week followed by 64 mg every other day for one month are recommended.

Local

Intra-articular administration: A single local injection of Kenacort® Retard is frequently sufficient, but several injections may be needed for adequate relief of symptoms.

Initial dose: 2.5 mg to 5 mg for smaller joints and from 5 mg to 15 mg for larger joints, depending on the specific disease entity being treated. For adults, doses up to 10 mg for smaller areas and up to 40 mg for larger areas have usually been sufficient. Single injections into several joints, up to a total of 80 mg, have been given.

What is the dose of Kenacort® Retard (triamcinolone acetonide) for a child?

Systemic

The initial dose may vary depending on the specific disease entity being treated. The range of initial doses is 0.11 to 1.6 mg/kg/day in 3 or 4 divided doses.

How is Kenacort® Retard (triamcinolone acetonide) available?

Kenacort® Retard is available in the following dosage forms and strengths:

• Injectable Suspension 40 mg/1 ml
• Injectable Suspension 80 mg/2 ml

What should I do in case of an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or an overdose, call your local emergency services or go to your nearest emergency room.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of medication, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your regular dose as scheduled. Do not take a double dose.