Triamcinolone Acetonide

UsesTriamcinolone acetonide is a topical and systemic corticosteroid belonging to the group B (triamcinolone acetonide) type of steroids. Triamcinolone acetonide is an adrenal cortex hormone drug. As an antiasthmatic (inhalant) and antiallergic (nasal), it could used for treating diseases such as neurodermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, joint pain, and asthma.

DescriptionTriamcinolone acetonide is a synthetic corticosteroid. It decreases cytokine levels, the firing rate of sensory neurons, and mechanical hypersensitivity in a rat spinal nerve ligation model when used at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg prior to and following surgery for three days. Triamcinolone acetonide also decreases outflow facility in a mouse model of steroid-induced glaucoma when 20 μl of a 40 mg/ml suspension is administered subconjunctivally. Formulations containing triamcinolone acetonide are used in the treatment of diabetic macular edema.

General DescriptionThe three main metabolitesof triamcinolone acetonide (Azmacort, Nasacort) are 6β-hydroxytriamcinolone acetonide, 21-carboxytriamcinoloneacetonide, and 6β-hydroxy-21-carboxytriamcinolone acetonide.All are much less active than the parent compound.The 6β-hydroxyl group and the 21-carboxy group are bothstructural features that greatly reduce GC action. The increasedwater solubility of these metabolites also facilitatesmore rapid excretion.

General DescriptionTriamcinolone acetonide is approximately 8 times morepotent than prednisone in animal inflammation models.Topically applied triamcinolone acetonide is a potent antiinflammatoryagent, about 10 times more sothan triamcinolone. The plasma half-life is approximately 90minutes, although the plasma half-life and biological halflivesfor GCs do not correlate well. The hexacetonide isslowly converted to the acetonide in vivo and is given onlyby intra-articular injection. Only triamcinolone and the diacetateare given orally. The acetonide and diacetate may begiven by intra-articular or intrasynovial injection. In addition,the acetonide may be given by intrabursal or, sometimes,IM or subcutaneous injection. A single IM dose of thediacetate or acetonide may last up to 3 or 4 weeks. Plasmalevels with IM doses of the acetonide are significantly higherthan with triamcinolone itself. The acetonide is also used totreat asthma and allergic rhinitis.