triamcinolone acetonide ER 32 mg intra-articular suspension ext.releas

Generic name:
Triamcinolone extended-release - injection

Pronunciation
(TRYE-am-SIN-oh-lone)

Brand name(s)
Zilretta

This medication is used to treat knee pain in people with a certain type of arthritis (osteoarthritis). It works by reducing your body's immune response. Triamcinolone belongs to a class of drugs known as corticosteroids. It helps to reduce pain and swelling in the knee.

This medication is given by injection as a single dose into the affected knee by a health care professional.

Ask your doctor what activities are safe for your knee after the injection.

Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.

Pain at the injection site may occur. If this effect lasts or gets worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

This medication may raise your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are high.

This medication may make your blood sugar rise, which can cause or worsen diabetes. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst/urination. If you already have diabetes, check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet.

This medication may lower your ability to fight infections. This may make you more likely to get a serious (rarely fatal) infection or make any infection you have worse. Tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of infection in the affected knee (such as fever, increased pain with swelling of the knee, weakness in the knee, or not being able to bend the knee as much) or other signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away, chills, cough).

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:

• weakness
• puffy face
• unusual weight gain
• thinning skin
• bone pain
• menstrual period changes
• mental/mood changes (such as depression, mood swings, agitation)
• easy bruising/bleeding
• vision problems
• swelling ankles/feet/hands
• fast/slow/irregular heartbeat
• red/purple spots on the skin

Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including:

• symptoms of stomach/intestinal bleeding (such as stomach/abdominal pain, black/tarry stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds)

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:

• rash
• itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
• severe dizziness
• trouble breathing

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before using triamcinolone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other corticosteroids (such as methylprednisolone); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

• bleeding problems
• blood clots
• bone loss (osteoporosis)
• diabetes
• certain eye diseases (such as cataracts, glaucoma, herpes infection of the eye)
• heart problems (such as heart failure, recent heart attack)
• high blood pressure
• current/past infections (such as joint infections and infections caused by fungus, herpes, tuberculosis, threadworm)
• kidney disease
• liver disease (such as hepatitis B)
• mental/mood conditions (such as psychosis, anxiety, depression)
• stomach/intestinal problems (such as diverticulitis, ulcer, ulcerative colitis)
• seizures
• thyroid problems
• mineral imbalance
• a certain adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma)

Using corticosteroid medications for a long time can make it more difficult for your body to respond to physical stress. Before having surgery or emergency treatment, or if you get a serious illness/injury, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication or have used this medication within the past 12 months. Tell your doctor right away if you develop unusual/extreme tiredness or weight loss. If you will be using this medication for a long time, carry a warning card or medical ID bracelet that identifies your use of this medication.

This medicine may cause stomach bleeding. Daily use of alcohol while using this medicine may increase your risk for stomach bleeding. Limit alcoholic beverages.

This medication may mask signs of infection. It can make you more likely to get infections or may make current infections worse. Stay away from anyone who has an infection that may easily spread (such as chickenpox, COVID-19, measles, flu). Talk to your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for more details.

Tell your health care professional that you are using triamcinolone before having any immunizations, vaccinations, or skin tests. Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine inhaled through the nose).

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially bone loss/pain, stomach/intestinal bleeding, and mental/mood changes (such as confusion).

This medication may slow down a child's growth if used for a long time. Consult the doctor or pharmacist for more details. See the doctor regularly so your child's height and growth can be checked.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It may rarely harm an unborn baby. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Infants born to mothers who use corticosteroid medications for a long time may have hormone problems. Tell your doctor right away if you notice symptoms such as nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, severe diarrhea, or weakness in your newborn.

It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug are:

• aldesleukin
• desmopressin
• mifepristone
• other drugs that can cause bleeding/bruising (including antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen/naproxen, "blood thinners" such as warfarin/dabigatran)

Aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding when used with this medication. However, if your doctor has told you to take low-dose aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke (usually 81-162 milligrams a day), you should keep taking the aspirin unless your doctor tells you not to. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

This medication may interfere with certain lab tests (such as skin tests), possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call 1-844-764-7669.

Do not share this medication with others.

This medication may cause bone problems (osteoporosis) when used for a long time. Lifestyle changes that may help reduce the risk of bone problems include doing weight-bearing exercise, getting enough calcium and vitamin D, stopping smoking, and limiting alcohol. Talk with your doctor about lifestyle changes that might benefit you.

Not applicable.

Not applicable. This medication is given in a doctor's office and will not be stored at home.

HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.