From the Research
Comparison of Triamcinolone and Prednisone
- The comparison between triamcinolone (Kenalog) and prednisone has been studied in various contexts, including their effects and side effects 1, treatment of severe chronic asthma 2, and treatment of painful shoulder 3 and frozen shoulder 4.
- A study comparing oral prednisolone and intramuscular depot triamcinolone in patients with severe chronic asthma found that triamcinolone was significantly more effective than prednisolone in terms of forced expiratory volume in one second and forced vital capacity after 24 weeks of treatment 2.
- In the treatment of painful shoulder, a study found that patients receiving an ultrasound-guided injection of methylprednisolone or triamcinolone had a rapid and sustained overall response, with relief of pain tending to be more rapid with methylprednisolone than triamcinolone 3.
- Another study comparing intraarticular triamcinolone acetonide and methylprednisolone acetate injections in the treatment of frozen shoulder found that both were equally effective in primary frozen shoulder, but triamcinolone acetonide was significantly more effective in diabetic frozen shoulder 4.
- A comparison of preservative-free triamcinolone (Triesence) and purified triamcinolone preparations (Kenalog or Volon A) found that the differences between them were marginal, apart from the absence of preservative in Triesence 5.
Efficacy and Side Effects
- The efficacy of triamcinolone and prednisone can vary depending on the specific condition being treated, with triamcinolone being more effective in some cases, such as severe chronic asthma and diabetic frozen shoulder 2, 4.
- Side effects, including menstrual irregularities, muscle pain, and hirsuitism, were more common during treatment with triamcinolone than prednisolone in one study 2.
- The use of triamcinolone and prednisone can also have different effects on adrenal suppression, with triamcinolone being associated with reduced adrenal suppression in one study 2.