Kenalog-80 (injection)

Kenalog-80 is a steroid medicine that is used alone or with other medications to treat severe allergic reactions, hormonal disorders, ulcerative colitis, leukemia, lymphoma, systemic lupus erythematosus, and various other types of inflammatory conditions. These conditions can affect the skin, eyes, lungs, intestines, joints, tendons, muscles, nervous system, kidneys, or blood cells.

Kenalog-80 is available under several brand names that have different uses.

Kenalog-80 may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

You should not use certain brand forms of triamcinolone if you have idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

You may become more prone to infections, including serious or life-threatening infections. Call your doctor if you experience flu symptoms, a cough, night sweats, neck stiffness, confusion, or vision problems.

You should not be treated with Kenalog-80 if you are allergic to it, or if you have idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

• an infection caused by bacteria (including tuberculosis), virus, fungus, or parasites;
• congestive heart failure, heart attack, high blood pressure;
• brain injury;
• cataracts, glaucoma, or another condition that increases pressure inside your eyes;
• herpes infection of your eye;
• a nerve-muscle disorder, such as myasthenia gravis;
• a stomach ulcer, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis;
• a perforation (a hole or tear) in your esophagus, stomach, or intestines;
• recent surgery;
• cerebral malaria;
• mental illness or psychosis;
• unexplained diarrhea or if you recently traveled;
• osteoporosis or low bone mineral density;
• a problem with your thyroid or adrenal gland;
• recently received or are scheduled to receive any vaccine;
• cirrhosis or other liver disease; or
• kidney disease.

Make sure you are current on all vaccines before you start receiving Kenalog-80.

Steroids may increase your risk of developing Kaposi's Sarcoma, a certain type of skin cancer. Ask your doctor about your individual risk.

Steroids can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection or worsening an infection you already have. Tell your doctor about any recent, active, or chronic illness, especially any type of infection caused by bacteria, virus, fungus, or parasites, including threadworm.

Kenalog-80 may contain an ingredient that can cause serious side effects or death in very young or premature babies. Do not give Kenalog-80 to a child without medical advice.

Kenalog-80 may harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It may be harder for you to get a woman pregnant while you are using this medicine.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while receiving this medicine.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Kenalog-80 may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have:

• increased pain or swelling, joint stiffness, fever, and general ill feeling;
• eye pain or redness, seeing halos around lights;
• sleep problems (insomnia), depression, unusual changes in mood or behavior;
• severe headache, pounding in your neck or ears;
• signs of infection--fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, unusual tiredness, bruising or bleeding;
• stomach or intestinal problems--severe stomach pain, change in bowel habits, bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
• kidney problems--urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath;
• signs of an electrolyte imbalance--increased thirst or urination, constipation, muscle weakness, leg cramps, numbness or tingling, feeling jittery, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath (even while lying down), rapid weight gain (especially in your face and midsection); or
• decreased adrenal gland hormones--nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, feeling tired or light-headed, muscle pain, skin discoloration, craving salty foods.

Certain side effects may be more likely with long-term use or repeated doses of triamcinolone injection.

Kenalog-80 can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using Kenalog-80.

Common side effects of Kenalog-80 may include:

• cough, runny or stuffy nose; or
• bruising.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Kenalog-80 is given through a needle and can be injected into different areas of the body: into a muscle, into the space around a joint or tendon, or into a lesion on the skin. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Before you receive Kenalog-80, your doctor may test you for hepatitis B or other infections. If you've had hepatitis B, it may come back or get worse.

Not every brand of this medicine is used for the same conditions or injected into the same body areas. Some brands are given only one time as needed. Others may be given at regular intervals. Carefully follow your doctor's dosing instructions.

Your dosage needs may change if you have any unusual stress, such as a serious illness, injury, fever, or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Tell your doctor about any such situation that affects you.

Long-term use of steroid may increase pressure inside your eyes. If you receive Kenalog-80 for longer than 6 weeks, you may need frequent eye exams.

Your doctor may instruct you to limit your salt intake, and you may need to take potassium supplements. Follow your doctor's instructions.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Kenalog-80.

Your doctor may test you for hepatitis B or other infections while using this medicine and for several months after you stop.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.

You may have withdrawal symptoms if you stop receiving certain brand forms of triamcinolone suddenly after long-term use. Ask your doctor before stopping the medicine.

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your Kenalog-80 (injection).

In a medical setting, an overdose would be treated quickly.

Avoid being near sick people or those with infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chickenpox or measles. These illnesses can be serious or even fatal for people using Kenalog-80.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine or a toxoid vaccine while using Kenalog-80, or you could develop a serious infection. Live vaccines may include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), varicella (chickenpox), nasal flu vaccine, and others. Toxoid vaccines include diphtheria-tetanus toxoid (DT or Td).

Sometimes, it is not safe to use certain medicines together. Some drugs can change the levels of other drugs in your blood, which may increase side effects or make the medicines work less well.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are currently taking. Many drugs can affect Kenalog-80, especially:

• medicine to treat any type of infection;
• birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy;
• cyclosporine;
• cholestyramine;
• a diuretic or "water pill"; or
• a certain type of muscle relaxer such as pancuronium.

This list is not complete, and many other drugs may also affect Kenalog-80. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.