Kenalog: properties, use, contraindications and side effects
Kenalog is a drug belonging to the group of glucocorticosteroids. It contains the active ingredient triamcinolone and is produced by several pharmaceutical companies in different countries, including Israel, Germany, Italy and the UK.
The drug is available in different dosage forms: injection suspension, cream, ointment, tablets and injection solution. Kenalog is used to treat a wide range of conditions, including autoimmune diseases, arthritis, dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma, certain types of cancer and many other conditions.
Indications for use
Kenalog is used to treat many conditions, including:
- Adrenal insufficiency;
- Autoimmune thyroiditis;
- Hypercalcemia in malignant neoplasms;
- Psoriatic arthritis;
- Gouty and rheumatoid arthritis (including juvenile);
- Ankylosing spondylitis;
- Bursitis;
- Tenosynovitis;
- Post-traumatic osteoarthritis;
- Epicondylitis;
- Systemic lupus erythematosus;
- Rheumatic carditis;
- Pemphigus;
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome;
- Erythema multiforme;
- Dermatitis (exfoliative, herpetiform, bullous, seborrheic, contact, atonic);
- Psoriasis;
- Allergic rhinitis;
- Bronchial asthma;
- Serum or drug sickness;
- Allergic conjunctivitis;
- Keratitis;
- Iridocyclitis;
- Sarcoidosis;
- Loeffler's syndrome;
- Borreliosis;
- Aspiration pneumonia;
- Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura of adults;
- Secondary thrombocytopenia in adults;
- Anemia (autoimmune hemolytic, hereditary hypoplastic);
- Erythroblastopenia;
- Acute or chronic lymphoblastic leukemia;
- Lymphogranulomatosis;
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas;
- Mammary cancer;
- Prostate cancer;
- Multiple myeloma;
- Tuberculous meningitis;
- Acute lymphocytic leukemia in children;
- Nephrotic syndrome;
- Nonspecific ulcerative colitis;
- Crohn's disease;
- Celiac disease;
- Hyperthermia in malignant neoplasms.
Contraindications
Kenalog is not recommended in the following cases:
- If you are allergic to triamcinolone or any other ingredient of the drug;
- If you have fungal or viral infections such as herpes, chicken pox, herpes simplex or fungal skin infections;
- For tuberculosis or other infectious diseases that can be exacerbated by the use of glucocorticosteroids;
- In patients receiving live vaccines, such as smallpox vaccine, because Kenalog may reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine.
Also, Kenalog should be used with caution if you have the following conditions:
- Hypertension;
- Prostate enlargement;
- Epilepsy;
- Diabetes;
- Osteoporosis;
- Glaucoma;
- Cataract;
- Herpetic purulent conjunctivitis.
Side effects
Like any other medicine, Kenalog can cause side effects. Some of these can be serious, so it is important to seek prompt medical attention if they occur. Some of the side effects may include:
- Allergic reactions such as hives, laryngeal swelling, difficulty breathing;
- Hypertension;
- Hyperglycemia;
- Weight gain;
- Impaired blood supply to the skin;
- Skin irritation;
- Acne;
- Osteoporosis;
- Menstrual irregularities;
- Decreased immunity;
- Increased risk of infectious diseases;
- Glaucoma;
- Cataract;
- Increased intracranial pressure.
If any side effects occur, you should seek medical help. If serious side effects occur, consult a doctor immediately.