What is the usage and dosage of Triamcinolone (corticosteroid) for various medical conditions?

From the Guidelines

Triamcinolone is a corticosteroid medication used to treat various inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, with dosages varying by condition and administration route, and should be used under medical supervision to minimize side effects and ensure safe treatment tapering.

Usage and Dosage

For asthma, triamcinolone acetonide inhaler is usually prescribed at 2-4 puffs twice daily (200-400 mcg per dose) 1.

• Topical triamcinolone cream or ointment (0.025% to 0.5% strength) is applied thinly to affected skin areas 2-4 times daily for dermatological conditions.
• For nasal allergies, the nasal spray form is typically used as 1-2 sprays in each nostril once daily.
• Injectable triamcinolone (typically 40 mg/mL) is used for joint injections, with dosage varying by joint size—larger joints may receive 20-80 mg while smaller joints receive 2-20 mg.

Administration and Monitoring

Treatment duration should be as brief as possible to minimize side effects, which can include increased blood sugar, mood changes, weight gain, and suppressed immune function 1.

• Patients should never stop taking oral triamcinolone suddenly as this can cause adrenal crisis; instead, dosage should be gradually tapered under medical supervision.
• For intralesional corticosteroid injections, triamcinolone acetonide may be used at a dose of 10 mg/mL for nodular acne and acne keloidalis, with potential dilution to 5 or 3.3 mg/mL 1.

Side Effects and Contraindications

Contraindications for triamcinolone include active infections, hypersensitivity to the medication, and certain systemic conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, heart failure, or severe hypertension 1.

• Local overdose can result in atrophy, pigmentary changes, and telangiectasias, hypertrichosis, infections, impaired wound healing, contact allergic dermatitis, sterile abscess, steroid acne, and repeated injections can suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
• Anaphylaxis, angioedema, and urticaria are also potential adverse effects.

From the FDA Drug Label

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Apply triamcinolone acetonide cream USP, 0. 1% as appropriate, to the affected area two to three times daily. Rub in gently. INDICATIONS AND USAGE Triamcinolone acetonide cream, 0.1% is indicated for the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses.

The usage and dosage of Triamcinolone for various medical conditions are as follows:

• Indications: Triamcinolone acetonide cream, 0.1% is indicated for the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses 2.
• Dosage: Apply triamcinolone acetonide cream USP, 0. 1% as appropriate, to the affected area two to three times daily. Rub in gently 2.
• Occlusive Dressing Technique: May be used for the management of psoriasis or other recalcitrant conditions 2. Key points to consider:
• Reapply the preparation leaving a thin coating on the lesion, cover with pliable nonporous film, and seal the edges 2.
• The frequency of changing dressings is best determined on an individual basis 2.

From the Research

Usage of Triamcinolone

• Triamcinolone is a corticosteroid used to treat various medical conditions, including psoriasis, localized dermatitis, and asthma 3, 4, 5, 6.
• It can be administered through intralesional injections, intramuscular injections, or topical application 3, 4, 7, 5.
• The dosage of triamcinolone varies depending on the condition being treated and the method of administration 3, 4, 7, 5, 6.

Dosage of Triamcinolone

• For intralesional injections, the typical dosage is 2.5-5 mg/mL, with a maximum dose of 20 mg per injection 3.
• For intramuscular injections, the typical dosage is 40-80 mg per injection, administered every 3-4 weeks 4, 7.
• For topical application, the typical dosage is 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide cream, applied under occlusion with a hydrocolloid dressing 5.
• For nail psoriasis, the typical dosage is 5 mg/mL triamcinolone acetonide injections, administered every 4-8 weeks 6.

Medical Conditions Treated with Triamcinolone

• Psoriasis: triamcinolone can be used to treat chronic plaques of psoriasis, including nail psoriasis 3, 5, 6.
• Localized dermatitis: triamcinolone can be used to treat localized dermatitis, including lichen simplex chronicus and prurigo nodularis 3.
• Asthma: triamcinolone can be used to treat corticosteroid-resistant asthma 4.
• Other conditions: triamcinolone can also be used to treat other conditions, including keloids, hemangiomas, and alopecia areata 3.