Consumer Medicines Information
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KENACORT®-A 10
triamcinolone acetonide
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about KENACORT-A 10. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking KENACORT-A 10 against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet.
You may need to read it again.
What is Kenacort-A 10 used for
KENACORT-A 10 can also be used to treat painful muscles, joints or tendons by injecting directly into the painful site.
KENACORT-A 10 can also be used to treat inflammatory skin lesions, psoriatic plaques & hair loss by injecting directly into the lesion or by sub-cutaneous injection.
However, your doctor may have prescribed KENACORT-A 10 for another purpose. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why KENACORT-A 10 has been prescribed for you.
The way that KENACORT-A 10 works is complicated. Put simply, KENACORT-A 10 suppresses inflammation and swelling and relieves pain. However, it does not cure the underlying problem.
KENACORT-A 10 is available only with a doctor's prescription.
KENACORT-A 10 is NOT suitable for intravenous, intramuscular or intraocular use. KENACORT-A 10 is not suitable for injection into the nasal turbinates or intralesional injection about the head.
KENACORT-A 10 is NOT recommended for use in children under the age of six.
KENACORT-A 10 is NOT for use in newborn or premature infants
KENACORT-A 10 is a long-acting preparation and is NOT suitable for use in acute situations.
Before you are given Kenacort-A 10
When you must not be given it
Do not have KENACORT-A 10 if you have an allergy to KENACORT-A 10, unless you have discussed it with your doctor.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
- chills/fever
- fast heart beat
- difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath
- dizziness or light headed
KENACORT-A 10 contains benzyl alcohol as a preservative which has been associated with "gasping syndrome". Premature and low weight infants, as well as patients receiving high doses may be more likely to develop toxicity. KENACORT-A 10 is NOT suitable for use in children under the age of six.
Before you are given it
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to:
- any other medicines
- any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes
- any substances or medicine containing benzyl alcohol
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any medical condition, especially the following:
- kidneys, liver, heart or eye problems
- an active infection
- tuberculosis
- a tendency to bruise easily
- existing emotional problems
- bloody diarrhoea
- digestive problems (eg. ulcers)
- diabetes
- high blood pressure
- imminent surgery
- exposure to chicken pox or measles
- respiratory problems
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
Like most medicines KENACORT- A 10 is not recommended for use during pregnancy. If there is a need to consider KENACORT- A 10 during your pregnancy, your doctor will discuss with you the benefits & risks of using it.
Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding or plan to breastfeed.
If you have not told doctor about any of the above, tell them before you start having KENACORT-A 10.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking or using other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines & KENACORT-A 10 may interfere with each other. Theses include:
- Aspirin
- Vaccines - in particularly smallpox vaccine
These medicines may be affected by KENACORT-A 10, or affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to have different medicines. Your doctor will advise you.
Your doctor may have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while you are using KENACORT-A 10.
How KENACORT-A 10 is given
How much is given
Your doctor will decide what dose & the number of treatments you will receive. This depends on your specific condition, how you react to KENACORT-A 10 & where the injection is given.
How is it given
KENACORT-A 10 is given by injection directly into the affected muscle, joint or tendon, or by intra-dermal injection into the lesion. KENACORT-A 10 should not be given intravenously, intramuscularly or intraocularly. KENACORT-A 10 injection will be given by or under the supervision of a doctor. You will not give yourself the injection.
There are certain places where the injection should not be given (eg. into a vein or into the spine, the eye, nasal turbinates or intralesional injections about the head). Your doctor has the full information about the way KENACORT-A 10 should be given and can answer any questions that you might have.
How long it is given
If you are given KENACORT-A 10 injection over a long time, your doctor will check on how your body is responding. When long term use of the KENACORT-A 10 is to be stopped, it should be stopped gradually not suddenly.
KENACORT-A 10 is a long-acting preparation and is not suitable for use in acute situations.
Overdose
Your doctor has information on how to recognise & treat an overdose. Ask your doctor if you have any concerns.
While you are using KENACORT-A 10
Things you must do
Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are having KENACORT-A 10.
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, tell your doctor, dentist or pharmacist that you are having KENACORT-A 10.
If you become pregnant while having KENACORT-A 10, tell your doctor.
Things you must not do
After the injection, do not overuse the joint, where the injection was given. Rest the joint as much as possible for several weeks.
Do not give KENACORT-A 10 to anyone else, it is for your use only.
Side effects
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are having KENACORT-A 10.
Ask your doctor to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
These are the more common side effects of KENACORT-A 10
- pain
- fluid retention
- salt retention
- changes in heart beat
- sores
- muscle weakness
- tiredness
- slow wound healing
- sweating
- headaches
- irregular menstrual periods
- stomach upsets
- dizziness
- convulsions
- numbness
- pins & needles
- pain in arms or legs
- insomnia
- sore eyes
- vision impairment or loss of vision
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
These are the less common side effects of KENACORT-A 10
- serious heart problems
- weakening of bones
- stomach ulcers
- glandular problems.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
Rarely occurring side effects of KENACORT-A 10
- worsening psychiatric conditions
- fracturing of bones
- stopping of growth in children
- damage to eyes
- severe pain, and swelling around the injection site
- wasting of muscles.
Prolonged use:
Prolonged use of KENACORT-A 10 may damage your eyes and sight.
Other side effects not listed may occur in some patients. Tell your doctor if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
After using KENACORT-A 10
Storage
KENACORT-A 10 must be stored in a dark place below 30 °C. It must be kept upright & must not be frozen.
There is an expiry date on the packet & on each ampoule. KENACORT-A 10 should not be used after the date stated.
Product description
What it looks like
KENACORT-A 10 is an aqueous suspension in a glass ampoule.
Ingredients
Active: The active ingredient in KENACORT-A 10 injection is triamcinolone acetonide. Each 1mL contains 10mg of triamcinolone acetonide.
Inactive: Each 1-mL also contains the following inactive substances, sodium chloride, benzyl alcohol, carmellose sodium, polysorbate and water.
Ask your doctor if you want to know any more about these substances.
Manufacturer/Supplier
In Australia KENACORT-A 10 is distributed by:
Bristol-Myers Squibb Australia Pty Ltd, 556 Princes Highway Noble Park North Victoria 3174
KENACORT-A 10 is manufactured by:
Bristol-Myers Squibb S.p.A,
Loc.ta Fontana del Ceraso,
Anagni,
Italy
Australian Registration Number:
KENACORT-A 10 Injection - AUST R 19204
This leaflet was produced in October 2001.
This leaflet was updated in August 2007; 17 July 2008
Further Information
Your doctor is the best person to answer any further questions you may have about KENACORT-A 10. You should follow any direction given by your doctor, even if it is different from what is stated in this leaflet.
Please note that knowledge about the safety of all medicines may change over time. You should discuss any problems you experience with KENACORT-A 10 with your doctor.
® Kenacort is a trademark of a Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
KenacortA10(cmi)3.doc
Published by MIMS/myDr October 2008
