Adapted from the Prescribing Information for Kenalog.
Read this information before you start taking triamcinolone cream and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or treatment. If you have any questions about triamcinolone cream, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Triamcinolone cream is a topical corticosteroid. It may cause skin thinning if used in large amounts over long periods of time. The extent of absorption of triamcinolone depends on the condition of the skin and is determined by multiple factors, including the integrity of the skin, duration of therapy, and presence of inflammation or other disease processes.
Absorption is increased in areas of skin damage, inflammation, or thin skin, such as the eyelids, genitals, and face. Topical triamcinolone works in the skin, but a small amount may be absorbed systemically.
Triamcinolone cream is a corticosteroid cream used to help relieve flare-ups of eczema (atopic dermatitis) and other skin conditions that cause inflammation and itching. With eczema, your immune system has an exaggerated response, causing itchiness, redness, and other skin symptoms of inflammation. Triamcinolone cream helps suppress the immune response in the skin and relieve these symptoms.
People who are allergic to triamcinolone or any of the ingredients in the cream should not take triamcinolone cream.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Cushing’s syndrome or Cushing’s disease
- Taking steroid pills by mouth for any condition
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Use triamcinolone cream exactly as your doctor tells you.
Apply a thin film of cream to the area(s) of your flare-up and rub it in gently until it’s absorbed. Apply twice a day for two weeks, or as directed by your physician. Use only as much as is needed to improve your symptoms. Don’t cover or bandage the area unless directed by your physician.
If you have severely broken skin or an infection on top of the area affected by the flare-up, you should tell your doctor, and avoid using triamcinolone cream unless they specifically direct you to. Small cracks in the skin may be okay.
Triamcinolone cream, if used in large amounts for long periods of time, can cause thinning of the skin. The most common side effects with triamcinolone cream include burning, itching, irritation, and dryness. Less common effects include:
- Exfoliative dermatitis (massive inflammation and scaling of the skin)
- Hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar)
- Impaired wound healing
- Skin ulcer
- Edema (swelling)
- Phlebitis (inflammation of a vein)
- Contact dermatitis (skin inflammation from contact with a substance)
- Telangiectasia (visible, small dilated blood vessels)
- Urticaria (hives)
- Striae (stretch marks)
- Petechiae (small red or purple spots)
- Skin hyperpigmentation
- Acne
- Folliculitis
Triamcinolone cream should be stored at room temperature away from light.
General information about triamcinolone cream
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes that are not in the patient leaflet. Do not use triamcinolone cream for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give triamcinolone cream to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It could harm them.
This page summarizes the most important information about triamcinolone cream. If you would like more information about triamcinolone cream talk with your doctor. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about triamcinolone cream that is written for health professionals.
Active ingredient:
- Triamcinolone acetonide 0.1%