kenalog-40 injection

This medication should be used as scheduled. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for instructions. Do not double the dose to catch up.

This medication may be given by injecting into different locations such as a muscle (intramuscularly), a skin lesion (intradermally), or a joint (intra-articularly). Injections are usually given by a trained healthcare professional. If you are giving yourself intramuscular injection, you will be taught by your healthcare professional on how to properly use this medication. If any of the information is unclear, consult your healthcare professional. The injection site, schedule, dosage, and length of treatment are based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Do not inject this medication into a vein (intravenously). This medication is not recommended for injection around/into the eye or certain parts of the nose due to the risk for blindness or damage to the eye(s). Consult your doctor for more details. Use this medication and follow the dosing schedule exactly as directed by your doctor in order to get the most benefit from it. Do not change your dose or use this medication for a longer time than prescribed. Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about your treatment. Wash hands with soap and water before using this medication. Before using, check this product visually for clumpy particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Before injecting each dose intramuscularly, clean the injection site with rubbing alcohol. It is important to change the location of the injection site to avoid discomfort or problem areas. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased to reduce symptoms such as weakness, weight loss, nausea, and extreme fatigue. Shake vial before use to evenly disperse the suspension. Inject the prescribed dose immediately after withdrawing it into the syringe to avoid settling of the medication in the syringe. Learn how to store and discard syringes, needles, and medical supplies safely. Consult your pharmacist for more information. If you have been using this medication for a long time, do not suddenly stop it without your doctor's approval. Some conditions may become worse when this drug is suddenly stopped. This medication may be injected into a joint to treat conditions such as arthritis and bursitis. If you have received an injection into a joint, be careful how much stress you put on that joint, even if it is feeling better. Ask your doctor how much you can move the joint while it is healing. Inform your doctor if your condition worsens or if you have new symptoms.

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially: aldesleukin, mifepristone, large doses of aspirin and aspirin-like drugs (salicylates), blood thinners (e.g., warfarin), bupropion, drugs for diabetes, drugs that cause potassium loss (e.g., amphotericin B, diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide), estrogens (e.g., birth control pills), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as indomethacin, ibuprofen), quinolone antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin), drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove triamcinolone from your body (e.g., macrolide antibiotics such as erythromycin; rifamycins such as rifampin; certain anti-seizure medications such as phenytoin and phenobarbital), live vaccines, natalizumab, certain herbal products (e.g., licorice). Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully since many medications contain pain relievers/fever reducers (NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen) that may increase the risk of stomach bleeding from this drug. Low-dose aspirin, as prescribed by your doctor for specific medical reasons such as heart attack or stroke prevention (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams per day), should be continued. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. This product may interfere with certain lab tests. Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use this drug. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information, call MedicAlert at 1-800-854- 1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Do not share this medication with others. Lifestyle changes that help reduce the risk of bone loss (osteoporosis) during long-term therapy include weight-bearing exercise, getting adequate calcium and vitamin D, stopping smoking, and limiting alcohol. Discuss lifestyle changes that might benefit you with your doctor. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood counts, blood glucose/mineral levels, blood pressure, bone density tests, height/weight measurements, eye examinations, x-rays) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects during long-term therapy. Consult your doctor for more details. If you take this medication for prolonged periods, you should wear or carry identification stating that you are taking it.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other corticosteroids (e.g., 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. This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: untreated active fungal infections. If your have a certain bleeding disorder (idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura), consult your doctor before injecting this medication into a muscle. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: bleeding problems, history of blood clots, brittle bones (osteoporosis), high blood pressure, certain heart problems (e.g., congestive heart failure), diabetes, certain eye diseases (e.g., cataracts, herpes infection, glaucoma), kidney disease, current infections (e.g., tuberculosis, threadworm), severe liver disease (cirrhosis), certain mental/mood conditions (e.g., psychosis, depression), head injury, previously infected joint, seizures, stomach/intestinal problems (e.g., diverticulitis, ulcer, ulcerative colitis), thyroid problems, untreated mineral problems (e.g., low potassium or calcium). This medication may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. This medication may mask signs of infection or put you at greater risk of developing very serious infections. Report any injuries or signs of infection (e.g., persistent sore throat/cough/fever, pain during urination, muscle aches) that occur while using this medication or within 12 months after stopping it. If you have been on this medication for a long time, your body may not be able to make enough natural steroids while you are under stress due to infection, surgery or injury. Your dose may need to be adjusted. If you have stopped using this drug within the past 12 months, you may need to start using it again if your body is under severe stress. Consult your doctor for more details. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these side effects occur: unusual weakness, sudden weight loss, dizziness. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication or have used it within the last 12 months. Do not have immunizations, vaccinations, or skin tests while you are using this drug unless specifically directed by your doctor. Avoid contact with people who have recently received oral polio vaccine. Avoid exposure to chickenpox or measles infection while using this medication. If you are exposed to these infections, seek immediate medical attention. If you have a history of ulcers or take large doses of aspirin or other arthritis medication, limit alcoholic beverages while using this drug. Alcohol may increase the risk of stomach/intestinal bleeding. If you have diabetes, this drug may increase your blood sugar levels. Check your blood glucose levels regularly as directed by your doctor. Tell your doctor immediately if you have symptoms such as increased thirst and urination. Your anti-diabetic medication or diet may need to be adjusted. Caution is advised when using this drug in children. It may slow down a child's growth rate if given for long periods. Monitor your child's height and growth rate regularly. Injecting this medication into a muscle is not recommended for children younger than six years. Consult your doctor for more details. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. There have been rare reports of harm to an unborn baby when corticosteroids are used during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Infants born to mothers who have been using this medication for an extended time may have low levels of corticosteroid hormone. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice symptoms such as persistent nausea/vomiting, severe diarrhea, or weakness in your newborn. This medication passes into breast milk. While there have been no reports of harm to nursing infants, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not freeze. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Redness or pain at the injection site, stomach upset, headache, dizziness, menstrual period changes, trouble sleeping, or weight gain may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she 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. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: bone pain, easy bruising/bleeding, black stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, severe stomach/abdominal pain, increased thirst/urination, fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, swelling of the ankles/feet, persistent weight gain, puffy face, unusual hair growth, thinning skin, slow wound healing, signs of infection (e.g., persistent fever/cough/sore throat, painful urination, eye pain/discharge), muscle weakness/pain, mental/mood changes (e.g., mood swings, depression, agitation), vision changes, seizures, unusual skin growths. If you have received injection of this medication into the joint, temporary discomfort of the joint may occur. Tell your doctor immediately if you have fever, increased/severe pain with swelling of the joint, weakness in the joint, or decreased range of motion in the joint. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: 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. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.