TRIAMCINOLONE

It is slightly more potent than prednisolone but highly selectiveucocorticoid. It has virtually no sodium retaining effect, but has the disadvantage that muscle wasting may occasionally be severe and anorexia, mental depression may be more common at high doses.

Indications

Rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, allergies, dermatoses.

Dosage

4-32 mg daily in single or divided doses. Intra-articular : 2.5-15 mg. intradermal : 0.2-0.3 ml. Not to be given i.v. Intra muscular : 40-60 mg injected deep into gluteal muscle. Hay fever or pollen asthma : 40-10 mg. Not recommended for children below 6 years.

Contra-Indications

Tuberculosis, herpes simplex, systemic fungal infections : Pregnancy. Peptic ulcer. Epilepsy. Renal failure.

Special Precautions

Diabetes, hypertension, chronic infections, myasthenia gravis, peptic ulceration, glaucoma, osteoporosis, psychological disorders, congestive cardiac failure, renal insufficiency, thromboembolic disorders.

Side Effects

Muscular weakness, psychosis, cushing’s habitus, frage skin. Hyperglycaemia, may be glycosuria. Delayed healing of wounds. Altered water & electrolyte balance. Growth retardation.

Drug Interactions

Action blunted by barbiturates, phenytoin, rifampicin, cyclosporine. Increased requirement for antidiabetic therapy. Absorption reduced by antacids.