From the Guidelines
Triamcinolone is considered to be a moderately potent steroid [ 1 ].
Relative Steroid Potency
- The potency of triamcinolone can be compared to other steroids, with triamcinolone hexacetonide being superior to alternative injectable glucocorticoids in achieving and maintaining remission in children with JIA [ 1 ].
- Triamcinolone acetonide is commonly used for intralesional injections, with a concentration of 5-10 mg/mL [ 1 ].
- The effect of triamcinolone hexacetonide on hair regrowth in alopecia areata patients can last about 9 months [ 1 ].
- Triamcinolone hexacetonide has been shown to be more effective than triamcinolone acetonide in stimulating hair regrowth, with 33 out of 34 sites showing hair growth compared to 16 out of 25 sites [ 1 ].
Key Points
- Triamcinolone is a moderately potent steroid.
- Triamcinolone hexacetonide is superior to alternative injectable glucocorticoids.
- Triamcinolone acetonide is commonly used for intralesional injections.
- The effect of triamcinolone hexacetonide on hair regrowth can last about 9 months.
From the Research
Relative Steroid Potency of Triamcinolone
- The relative potency of triamcinolone acetonide was evaluated in a study published in the Indian journal of dermatology, venereology and leprology 2, which found that its potency was in between that of the most potent steroids (clobetasol propionate and halcinonide) and the least potent steroids (prednisolone and hydrocortisone acetate).
- Another study published in the Journal of drugs in dermatology 3 estimated the skin concentration of triamcinolone 0.1% ointment and found it to be effective in achieving greater effective drug levels in the superficial layers of skin than those achieved with standard doses of oral prednisone.
- The potency of triamcinolone acetonide was also compared to other corticosteroids in a study published in The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology 4, which found that fluticasone propionate was more potent than triamcinolone acetonide in inhibiting human T-cell migration and proliferation.
- A randomized controlled trial published in Clinical therapeutics 5 compared the efficacy of methylprednisolone acetate and triamcinolone acetonide intra-articular knee injections in patients with chronic inflammatory arthritis, and found no significant differences in efficacy between the two preparations.
Comparison with Other Steroids
- Triamcinolone acetonide was found to be less potent than clobetasol propionate and halcinonide, but more potent than prednisolone and hydrocortisone acetate 2.
- Fluticasone propionate was found to be more potent than triamcinolone acetonide in inhibiting human T-cell migration and proliferation 4.
- Methylprednisolone acetate and triamcinolone acetonide were found to have similar efficacy in intra-articular knee injections for patients with chronic inflammatory arthritis 5.