triamcinolone acetonide
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about KENACORT-A 40. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking KENACORT-A 40 against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
What KENACORT-A 40 is used for
KENACORT-A 40 is a synthetic corticosteroid containing triamcinolone acetonide as the active ingredient.
KENACORT-A 40 is used to treat allergic diseases, bad skin problems or arthritis. It can also be used to treat painful muscles, joints or tendons by injecting directly into the painful site.
To treat these problems it is injected deep into a muscle. From the muscle, it is slowly absorbed into the blood and carried by the blood to all parts of the body.
KENACORT-A 40 suppresses inflammation and swelling and relieves pain. It does not cure the underlying problem.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why KENACORT-A 40 has been prescribed for you. Your doctor may have prescribed it for another purpose.
This medicine is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
KENACORT-A 40 is not suitable for intravenous, intradermal or intraocular use.
KENACORT-A 40 is not suitable for injection into the nasal turbinates or intralesional injection about the head.
KENACORT-A 40 is not recommended for use in children under the age of six.
KENACORT-A 40 is not for use in newborn or premature infants.
Before you are given it
When you must not be given it
Do not use KENACORT-A 40 if you have an allergy to triamcinolone acetonide or to any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
- chills/fever
- fast heart beat
- difficulty in breathing shortness of breath
- dizziness or light headed.
You must not be given KENACORT-A 40 if you have a low blood platelet count.
Do not use this medicine if you are suffering from a major infection that affects the whole body.
Do not give KENACORT-A 40 to children under the age of six.
Before you are given it
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines or any other substances such as foods, preservatives or dyes.
Tell your doctor if you are allergic to benzyl alcohol.
KENACORT-A 40 contains benzyl alcohol as a preservative which has been associated with a condition called “gasping syndrome”. Premature and low weight infants, as well as patients receiving high doses may be more likely to develop toxicity.
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following:
- kidneys, liver, heart or eye problems
- an active infection
- tuberculosis
- a tendency to bruise easily
- existing emotional problems
- bloody diarrhoea
- digestive problems (e.g. ulcers)
- diabetes
- high blood pressure
- imminent surgery
- exposure to chicken pox or measles
- respiratory problems.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Like most medicines KENACORT-A 40 is not recommended for use during pregnancy. If there is a need to consider KENACORT-A 40 during your pregnancy, your doctor will discuss with you the benefits & risks of using it.
Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding or plan to breastfeed.
If you have not told doctor about any of the above, tell them before you start being given KENACORT-A 40.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interfere with KENACORT-A 40. These include:
- aspirin
- vaccines – in particularly smallpox vaccine.
These medicines may be affected by KENACORT-A 40, or affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to have different medicines. Your doctor will advise you.
Your doctor has more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while you are using KENACORT-A 40.
How KENACORT-A 40 is given
How much is given
Your doctor will decide what dose and the number of treatments you will receive. This depends on your specific condition, how you react to this medicine and where the injection is given.
How is it given
KENACORT-A 40 is given by injection deep into a muscle or directly into the affected muscle, joint or tendon.
It should not be given intravenously, intradermally, intraocularly, into the nasal turbinates or intralesional injections about the head.
KENACORT-A 40 injection must only be given by a doctor.
Your doctor has the full information about the way KENACORT-A 40 should be given and can answer any questions that you might have.
How long it is given
If you are given KENACORT-A 40 injection over a long time, your doctor will check on how your body is responding. When long term use of the KENACORT-A 40 is to be stopped, it should be stopped gradually not suddenly.
If you are given too much (overdose)
As you will be given KENACORT-A 40 under the supervision of your doctor, it is unlikely that you will receive too much.
However, if you experience any side effects after being given it, immediately telephone your doctor or call the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice.
Do this even if there are no signs of poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.
While you are using it
Things you must do
Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are being given KENACORT-A 40.
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, tell your doctor, dentist or pharmacist that you are being treated with this medicine.
Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while having KENACORT-A 40.
Things you must not do
After the injection, do not overuse the muscle or joint where the injection was given.
Rest the muscle or joint as much as possible for several weeks.
Side effects
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are having KENACORT-A 40.
Ask your doctor to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- pain
- fluid retention
- salt retention
- changes in heart beat
- sores
- muscle weakness
- tiredness
- slow wound healing
- sweating
- headaches
- irregular menstrual periods
- stomach upsets
- dizziness
- convulsions
- numbness
- pins & needles
- pain in arms or legs
- insomnia
- sore eyes
- vision impairment or loss of vision.
These are the more common side effects of KENACORT-A 40.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- serious heart problems
- weakening of bones
- stomach ulcers
- glandular problems.
These are the less common side effects of KENACORT-A 40.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- worsening psychiatric conditions
- fracturing of bones
- stopping of growth in children
- damage to eyes
- severe pain, and swelling around the injection site
- wasting of muscles.
These side effects are rare.
Some side effects can only be detected by your doctor. When KENACORT-A 40 is taken for long periods of time and in high doses, it is important to visit your doctor regularly for check-ups.
Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell. Other side effects not listed may occur in some patients.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
After using it
Storage
KENACORT-A 40 must be stored in a dark place below 30°C. It must be kept upright & must not be frozen.
Product description
What it looks like
KENACORT-A 40 is an opaque white suspension in a 1 mL glass vial. Available in packs of 5 vials.
Ingredients
Active:
Each 1 mL contains 40 mg of triamcinolone acetonide.
Inactive ingredients:
- sodium chloride
- benzyl alcohol
- carmellose sodium
- polysorbate 80
- water for injections.
Sponsor
Aspen Pharma Pty Ltd
34-36 Chandos Street
St Leonards NSW 2065
Australia
Australian Registration Number:
AUST R 49226.
This leaflet was revised in July 2011.
Published by MIMS October 2017