[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Corticosteroids (glucocorticoids)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/corticosteroids/) › Triamcinolone

[Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) · [Corticosteroids (glucocorticoids)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/corticosteroids/)

# Triamcinolone

An intermediate-acting corticosteroid best known as a depot injection into joints, muscle or skin lesions, and as nasal spray and creams.

Updated 2026-11-01

- Class: [Corticosteroids (glucocorticoids)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/corticosteroids/)
- Receptor: Glucocorticoid receptor (GR), a nuclear receptor
- ATC code: H02AB08
- WHO Model List of Essential Medicines

◎**Glucocorticoid receptor (GR), a nuclear receptor**Triamcinolone

ⓘ The figure shows dexamethasone in the ligand-binding pocket of the human glucocorticoid receptor; triamcinolone acetonide, also a 9α-fluorinated steroid, binds the same pocket.

**Target in 3D:** Glucocorticoid receptor (GR), a nuclear receptor. PDB structure 1M2Z (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/1M2Z) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom

## Mechanism of action

Triamcinolone acetonide binds the glucocorticoid receptor; the complex enters the nucleus, switches on anti-inflammatory genes and represses NF-κB and AP-1. As an injectable suspension, its poorly soluble crystals dissolve slowly at the injection site, so a single local injection keeps a high anti-inflammatory effect in the joint or lesion for weeks with lower systemic exposure. It has little salt-retaining effect.

- The injected crystals dissolve slowly at the site
- Triamcinolone binds the glucocorticoid receptor in local cells
- Inflammatory genes are repressed for weeks

## Pharmacokinetics

**Absorption**
Depot suspension for intra-articular, intralesional or IM injection; also nasal, topical and dental-paste forms

**Distribution**
Released slowly from the injection site; some reaches the circulation and can suppress the adrenal axis

**Half-life**
Long local action after a depot injection

## Indications

- Joint inflammation: osteoarthritis flares, rheumatoid arthritis, acute gout, bursitis (intra-articular or soft-tissue injection) [Knee Osteoarthritis →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/knee-osteoarthritis/)
- Allergic rhinitis (nasal spray) [Allergic rhinitis →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/allergic-rhinitis/)
- Systemic corticosteroid-responsive diseases when given IM [Rheumatoid arthritis →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Pain or a flare of pain after joint injection
- Skin thinning, loss of fat or colour at the injection site
- Transient rise in blood glucose

### Serious (rare, important)

- Joint infection after injection
- Adrenal axis suppression with repeated injections
- Serious neurological events after epidural injection
- The systemic effects of any corticosteroid with repeated or IM use

## Contraindications

- Systemic fungal infections
- Hypersensitivity to the product
- Intravenous, epidural or intrathecal use of the suspension
- Injection into an infected joint or site

## Key interactions

**Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole, ritonavir)**
Higher steroid exposure, with Cushing syndrome and adrenal suppression

**Aspirin and other NSAIDs**
Higher risk of gastrointestinal ulcer

**Potassium-depleting diuretics and amphotericin B**
Hypokalaemia

## What is monitored

- Signs of joint infection after injection (heat, redness, fever)
- Blood glucose in people with diabetes
- Signs of adrenal suppression with repeated injections

## Administration and safety

- The injectable suspension is not for IV, epidural or intrathecal use
- Contains benzyl alcohol: not used in neonates
- The vial is shaken to disperse the suspension; strict aseptic technique for joint injection

## Nursing care

- After a joint injection, teach the patient to report increasing pain, swelling, redness or fever
- Check glucose in people with diabetes during the following days
- Record the site and date of each injection, since repeated injections add up

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Used in pregnancy only when the benefit justifies it; local injections give less fetal exposure than systemic doses.

## Memory aid

TRIAMcinolone TRIes to stay put: a crystal depot in the joint that dissolves slowly. Never in a vein.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Why does a single intra-articular triamcinolone injection act for weeks?

Triamcinolone acetonide is a poorly soluble crystal suspension that dissolves slowly in the joint, keeping local levels high.

## Why must triamcinolone suspension never be given intravenously?

It is a particulate depot suspension made for local or IM injection only; the label forbids IV, epidural and intrathecal use.

## Which complication is ruled out before injecting a painful, swollen joint with a corticosteroid?

Septic arthritis: a corticosteroid injected into an infected joint worsens the infection.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/triamcinolone/)

## Related drugs

- [Methylprednisolone](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/methylprednisolone/)
- [Betamethasone](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/betamethasone/)
- [Clobetasol](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/clobetasol/)

## Related conditions

- [Knee Osteoarthritis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/knee-osteoarthritis/)
- [Allergic rhinitis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/allergic-rhinitis/)
- [Rheumatoid arthritis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/)

[← Back to the class: Corticosteroids (glucocorticoids)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/corticosteroids/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [Triamcinolone Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a625028.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2025); [DailyMed - TRIAMCINOLONE ACETONIDE injection, suspension](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=7dbee70b-bd11-4430-b626-97fbb8f01b49) (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=H02AB08) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/triamcinolone/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/triamcinolone/