GENERIC NAME: triamcinolone acetonide inhaler
BRAND NAME: Azmacort
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Triamcinolone acetonide is a
synthetic
(man-made) steroid of the glucocorticoid family. The
naturally-occurring
glucocorticoid hormone is cortisol or hydrocortisone, and it is
produced
in the adrenal glands. Glucocorticoid steroids have potent
anti-inflammatory actions. When used as an inhaler, the medication
goes
directly to the airways of the lungs, and very little is
absorbed into the
body.
PRESCRIPTION: yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: no
PREPARATIONS: Inhaler 100 mcg/actuation.
STORAGE: Triamcinolone acetonide should be kept at room
temperature, 15-30°C (59-86°F) and protected for
direct light.
PRESCRIBED FOR: Triamcinolone acetonide is indicated
for the
control of bronchial asthma in persons requiring continuous
treatment.
Such patients may include those with frequent asthmatic
episodes requiring
bronchodilators or those with asthmatic episodes at night.
DOSING: Triamcinolone acetonide is used for the
prevention of
asthmatic attacks and should not be used to treat acute
(active) attacks.
Doses vary widely. Two to four inhalations or more may be
prescribed two
to four times daily. The medication requires continuous (daily)
use to be
effective. Some benefit may be noted by the third day of use,
but maximal
benefit usually is not seen until the second or third week of
use.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: No drug interactions have been
described with
inhaled triamcinolone acetonide.
PREGNANCY: When given orally, glucocorticoids such as
triamcinolone have been shown to cause fetal abnormalities in
animals;
however, it is not known if there is an increased risk of
malformation in
children born to mothers exposed to triamcinolone acetonide
during
pregnancy.
NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known if triamcinolone
acetonide is secreted in breast milk. Other medications in this class are
secreted into
breast milk, but it is not known whether the small amounts that
may appear
in the milk are of consequence to the infant.
SIDE EFFECTS: The most commonly noted side effects
associated
with inhaled triamcinolone acetonide are mild cough or
wheezing; these
effects may be minimized by using a bronchodilator inhaler
(e.g. albuterol
or Ventolin) prior to triamcinolone acetonide. Oral candidiasis
or thrush
(a fungal infection) may occur in 1 in 20 to 1 in 10 persons
who use
triamcinolone acetonide, the risk being higher with higher
doses. The risk
in children is lower than in adults. Hoarseness also may result
from the
use of triamcinolone acetonide. Using a spacer device and
washing the
mouth out with water following each use reduces the risk of
thrush and
hoarseness. Hoarseness also may occur.
High doses of other inhaled glucocorticoids may decrease bone
formation
and increase bone breakdown (resorption) leading to weak bones
and
fractures. Very high doses may cause suppression of the
body's ability to make its own natural glucocorticoid in the adrenal
glands. It
is possible that patients with suppression of their adrenal
glands may
need increased amounts of glucocorticoids by the oral or
intravenous route
during periods of high physical stress.
Last Editorial Review: 12/31/1997
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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