What is triamcinolone (nasal)?
Triamcinolone is a steroid. It prevents the release of substances in the body that cause
inflammation.
Triamcinolone nasal (for the nose) is used to treat sneezing, itching, and runny nose caused
by seasonal allergies or hay fever.
Triamcinolone nasal may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking triamcinolone (nasal)?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to triamcinolone.
Before using triamcinolone nasal, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or
special tests to safely use triamcinolone nasal.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication is harmful to an
unborn baby. Before using triamcinolone nasal, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become
pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether triamcinolone nasal passes into breast milk or if it could harm a
nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Triamcinolone nasal can affect growth in children. Talk with your doctor if you think your
child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medication.
Do not use this medication in a child under 2 years old without the advice of a doctor.
Some brands of triamcinolone nasal are not made for use in children.
How should I take triamcinolone (nasal)?
Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger
amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label.
This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these
directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Before each use, gently blow your nose to clear your nostrils.
Shake the medicine well just before using it.
To use triamcinolone nasal inhaler:
-
Remove the protective cap from the nasal inhaler.
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Hold the inhaler between your thumb and forefinger, tilt
your head back slightly, and insert the inhaler into one nostril while holding the other nostril
closed with one finger.
-
Press down on the canister to release the spray and inhale
gently at the same time. Hold your breath for a few seconds, then breathe out slowly through the
mouth.
-
Replace the white protective inhaler cap.
-
Clean your inhaler weekly by removing the medicine
canister and the protective cap, and rinsing the inhaler thoroughly with warm water. Do not use
soap. Allow the inhaler to dry completely before replacing the cap and canister.
-
Throw away the nasal inhaler after 100 sprays, even if
there is still medicine left in the canister.
To use triamcinolone nasal spray:
-
Before using the spray for the first time, prime the spray pump by
spraying the medicine into the air and away from your face, until a fine mist appears. Prime the
spray pump any time you have not used your nasal spray for longer than 14 days.
-
Hold the nasal spray with the tip pointed into one nostril
but not far into your nose. Bend your head forward to aim the spray toward the back of your
nose. Hold your other nostril closed with one finger. Pump the spray unit and sniff gently at the
same time.
-
Throw away the nasal spray after 120 sprays, even if there
is still medicine left in the bottle.
Avoid blowing your nose for 15 minutes after using this medication.
It may take up to a week of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best
results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve
after 1 week of treatment, or if they get worse any time during treatment.
You may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using a steroid medicine after using it
over a long period of time. Do not stop using triamcinolone suddenly without first talking to your
doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.
If you use triamcinolone nasal for several months, your doctor may need to check you on a
regular basis to make sure the medication is not causing harmful effects. Do not miss any follow-up
visits to your doctor.
Store triamcinolone nasal at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the
cover and clip on the nasal spray pump unit when not in use. Keep the protective cap on the nasal
inhaler when not in use.
What happens if I miss a dose of triamcinolone (nasal)?
Use the medication as soon as you remember the missed dose. If it is almost time for your next
dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about triamcinolone (nasal)?
Your pharmacist has information about triamcinolone (nasal) written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of triamcinolone (nasal)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
weakness, tired feeling, nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss;
-
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
-
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
-
white patches or sores inside your nose or mouth, or on
your lips; or
-
blurred vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights.
Less serious side effects may include:
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stinging, burning, or bleeding in your nose;
-
sneezing after use of the medicine;
-
sore throat, cough, stuffy nose;
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watery eyes;
-
headache;
-
nausea, vomiting; or
-
an unpleasant taste or smell.
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. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about triamcinolone (nasal)?
Do not use this medication in a child under 2 years old without the advice of a doctor.
Some brands of triamcinolone nasal are not made for use in children.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to triamcinolone.
Before using triamcinolone nasal, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have
tuberculosis, asthma, a history of glaucoma or cataracts, any type of infection, or if you have had recent
surgery or injury to your nose.
It may take up to a week of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best
results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve
after 1 week of treatment, or if they get worse any time during treatment.
Triamcinolone nasal can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can
make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill.
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive
treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal
in people who are using steroid medicine.
You may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using a steroid medicine after using it
over a long period of time. Do not stop using triamcinolone nasal suddenly without first talking to your
doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.
What should I avoid while taking triamcinolone (nasal)?
Triamcinolone nasal can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can
make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill.
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive
treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal
in people who are using steroid medicine.
What other drugs will affect triamcinolone (nasal)?
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:
-
cancer medicine (chemotherapy);
-
cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf);
-
sirolimus (Rapamune), tacrolimus (Prograf);
-
basiliximab (Simulect), efalizumab (Raptiva),
muromonab-CD3 (Orthoclone);
-
mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept);
-
azathioprine (Imuran), leflunomide (Arava), etanercept
(Enbrel); or
-
other steroids such as prednisone, fluticasone (Advair),
mometasone (Asmanex, Nasonex), dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol) and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
triamcinolone nasal. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you
use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not
start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of triamcinolone (nasal)?
