Triamcinolone

Major Uses

Triamcinolone is a glucocorticoid that is primarily used to treat inflammation in dogs, cats, and horses. It may also be useful for management and treatment of acute arthritis, allergic, and dermatologic disorders in dogs and cats. In horses, the injection form may have some use in reducing articular protein, as well as treating clinical lameness, inflammatory cell infiltration, intimal hyperplasia, and subintimal fibrosis.

Common Precautions

Triamcinolone should not be used to treat systemic fungal infections in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenia. Patients who receive this drug systemically or chronically should be taken off slowly, as complications may arise otherwise. Caution should be used when administering triamcinolone in patients in the later stages of pregnancy because parturition may occur.

The most common negative side effects associated with triamcinolone are signs of hyperadrenocorticism and the retardation of growth in young animals. In dogs, signs of polydipsia, polyphagia, and polyuria are sometimes seen. Other negative effects in dogs can include weight gain, dull, dry haircoat, vomiting, panting, diarrhea, pancreatitis, elevated liver enzymes, GI ulceration, diabetes mellitus, lipidemias, behavioral changes, and muscle wasting. Cats using triamcinolone may experience cushingoid effects, polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia with weight gain, diarrhea, and depression.

Triamcinolone should not be used in animals with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to the drug. A veterinarian should be contacted immediately if an overdose is suspected, the symptoms of which can be acute CNS effects.

Storage

Triamcinolone should be kept at room temperature and stored in a tightly sealed, light resistant, childproof container. It should be kept out of reach from children and pets.

Administration

For treating dogs, a typical dose of triamcinolone is .11-2 mg/kg once daily for up to 7 days. When treating cats, doses can range from .11-.6 mg/kg once a day for up to 14 days, or 2-4 mg total dose once a day or every other day. For horses, a normal dose is .011-.022 twice daily, or 6-18 mg every 3-4 days. If a dose is forgotten, it should be administered as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next schedule dose, administration of the missed dose should be skipped and the regular schedule should continue. Two doses should not be administered at the same time.

Doses may vary in different species, when the drug is given by a different route or concurrently with other medications, and with regards to a patient's age, breed, and health status. A veterinarian's dosing instructions and/or those printed on the medication label should be followed closely.