In the article, we consider the Kenalog preparation and instructions for use.
It belongs to the group of glucocorticosteroids. The drug has an immunosuppressive, antipruritic, anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effect. Kenalog is intended for systemic use.
Composition, release forms
According to the instructions, “Kenalog” is produced in several forms, which makes it possible to choose the necessary dosage and suitable therapeutic regimen. The drug is available in the form of tablets and suspensions for injection. The active substance is triamcinolone. The compositions of both forms of the drug differ in the amount of active component:
- The tablet contains 4 mg of triamcinolone. Additional components of the drug are lactose monohydrate, starch, povidone, talc and magnesium stearate.
- As indicated by the instructions for use, the suspension "Kenalog" for injection contains 40 mg of triamcinolone acetonide. Auxiliary elements of the composition are represented by polysorbate, carboxymethyl cellulose, benzyl alcohol, water for injection and sodium chloride.
Cream "Kenalog" is not indicated in the instructions for use. On sale this form can not be found.
The properties
The tool is a synthetic drug that is part of the group of glucocorticosteroids. Triamcinolone has anti-allergic, immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties.
The main difference between triamcinolone and other similar substances is the suppression of corticotropin synthesis in the pituitary gland, as well as the absence of effects on the balance of salts and water in the body. Kenalog does not retain fluid and sodium in the body.
Indications for use
In accordance with the instructions, “Kenalog” is assigned for use systemically or locally. The choice of the form of the drug depends on the patient's condition and the necessary effect. Indications for intramuscular administration of the drug are:
- Hay fever.
- Chronic obstructive airway diseases, including spastic bronchitis and bronchial asthma.
- Dermatological pathologies, including contact dermatitis, such as psoriasis, atopic, herpetiform, exfoliative, eczematoid and other types of dermatitis, accompanied by itching, peeling and blistering.
In addition, intra-articular administration of Kenalog is allowed in the treatment of the following pathological conditions:
- Arthrosis in the active stage.
- Articular dropsy.
- Exudative arthritis, false gout.
- Blockade of the joint of the shoulder due to wrinkling of the joint bag.
- The inflammatory process in the joints of a residual nature.
According to the instructions for use, Kenalog tablets are used in the treatment of erythema multiforme, as well as systemic lupus erythematosus, lymphoma, leukemia, rheumatism, hemolytic anemia, hemorrhagic diathesis, allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, acute allergic reactions and bronchial asthma .
Kenalog Instructions
Before administration of the drug intramuscularly, the ampoule must be shaken well in order to achieve homogeneity of the contents. Since Kenalog is a suspension, administering it intravenously is not recommended. It is also necessary to avoid getting into the vessels, especially in the head, face and buttocks.
With intramuscular injection of the drug, the following purposes are used:
- The dosage is selected individually depending on the condition of the patient and the nature of the pathological process.
- The drug is injected deep into the gluteal muscle. One injection involves the use of 1 ml of the drug. In especially severe cases, the use of a double dosage is allowed. With deep intramuscular administration, the risk of developing tissue atrophy should be minimized. After the introduction, you need to hold a sterile cloth tightly pressed to the injection site for several minutes.
- In the treatment of hay fever and other seasonal allergic manifestations, Kenalog is administered in the amount of one ampoule once during the flowering period of plants and the spread of pollen.
- If a course of treatment is necessary, the interval between injections should be at least one month.
Dosage for intra-articular administration is determined by the severity of the onset of symptoms and the size of the affected joint. The standard therapeutic regimen is:
- For small joints, 10 mg Kenalog injections are used according to the instructions for use.
- With an average size of the affected joint, the dosage will be 20 mg.
- Large joints like the knee or hip are treated by injecting 20-40 mg of the active ingredient. This is indicated in the instructions for use for Kenalog injections. "By eye" dosage should not be determined.
Tablets are prescribed in a dosage of 1-4 three times a day. Further, the dosage is gradually reduced to 1 mg per day.
The duration of use of the drug depends on the severity and nature of the pathological process and is determined by a specialist. This can be either a single application or a course, the duration of which reaches several years. If positive dynamics in the patient's condition is not achieved after 3-5 injections, the drug should be discontinued and another treatment option selected.
Contraindications
Absolute and relative contraindications for the use of Kenalog according to the instructions are highlighted. The drug is completely prohibited in the following cases:
- Atrophy of bone tissue.
- Peptic ulcer disease.
- Pathologies of the viral type.
- Shingles.
- Children's poliomyelitis.
- Glaucoma.
- Mental pathology.
- Age is under 16 years.
Careful reception
With caution, Kenalog is prescribed for the following diseases:
- Diabetes.
- Diverticulitis.
- Muscular pathologies in a severe form of the course.
- Glomerulonephritis in acute form.
- Intestinal anastomosis, for which surgery was performed.
- Jade in chronic form.
- Propensity to embolism and thrombosis.
Adverse reactions
What else can you learn from the instructions for use with Kenalog? When using the product, the following undesirable reactions can be observed:
- Heart and blood vessels: arterial hypertension, impaired heart rate, increased blood coagulation and the risk of blood clots.
- Nervous system: headaches, sleep disturbance, dizziness, depression, paranoia, anxiety, as well as convulsive syndrome, tremor, increased intracranial pressure.
- Musculoskeletal system: osteoporosis, atrophy or muscle weakness, atrophy of bone tissue.
- Skin reactions: age spots, stretch marks, acne.
- Stomach and intestines: digestive disorders, nausea and vomiting, ulcers in the duodenum and stomach, flatulence, impaired appetite, pancreatic dysfunction.
- Metabolic processes: low levels of calcium and potassium amid increased amounts of sodium in the blood.
- Endocrine system: Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome, weight gain, hormonal imbalance.
- Visual function: a change in the cornea, increased pressure inside the eyes.
In addition to the adverse reactions listed above, some patients developed allergies, accompanied by urticaria and itching. Local reactions in the form of pain, numbness and burning may develop at the injection site.
Analogs
There are several drugs similar to the Kenalog, which coincide in the active component:
- "Berlicort."
- Azmacort.
- "Polcortolon."
- "Triacort."
- "Fluorocort".
- "Triamcinolone."
Any changes in the therapeutic regimen should be agreed with the attending physician, even if it is a replacement with a similar drug.
“Kenalog” is a potent drug, which is prescribed in cases of emergency, when other treatment options do not give a result, and the pathological process progresses. In other cases, specialists try to avoid the use of hormonal drugs.
Reviews
Patients for the most part respond positively to the effect of the drug. The medicine helps almost everyone, but patients often face side effects from its use. In this case, the consequences of injections that have taken place go quite a long time and require additional treatment. There are many positive reviews about the action of Kenalog in the treatment of bursitis, which is an inflammatory process in the cavity between bone and soft tissues. This disease is accompanied by a constant pain syndrome, which significantly affects the quality of life of the patient. Kenalog brings relief by relieving pain and inflammation.
Each patient is at a certain risk when deciding on the use of hormonal injections. However, it is often justified, despite the pain of administration and the high probability of developing adverse reactions. “Kenalog” helps to eliminate pain for a long period or even forever. A drug is used to establish blockades with existing vertebral hernias.
"Kenalog" is also often prescribed to eliminate the symptoms of allergies during the flowering period of plants. Tearing is like half an hour after the administration of the drug, discomfort passes. No less effective is the drug to eliminate the reaction to insect bites. It relieves itching and inflammation. It is allowed to use an injection followed by treatment with a tablet form of Kenalog.