Let's learn about a special injection for knee arthritis pain? (Triamcinolone Injection)

Your mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, and maybe even yourself have suffered from knee pain that has made it difficult for you to do your daily tasks. Only those who have suffered from it know how annoying it is to climb stairs, walk a short distance, or get up. The main reason for this is osteoarthritis, or what we medically call arthritis . So, among the treatments that can reduce this pain, today we are going to talk about a special injection that provides a long-term relief.

Simply put, what is Triamcinolone?

Imagine that there is a small fire burning inside your knee joint. This fire is what we call inflammation . In arthritis, this inflammation is what causes the pain, stiffness, and redness. Triamcinolone is a powerful drug that can help put out this fire. Simply put, it is a steroid. But it is not the bad steroid that we have heard about. It is a medically controlled injection that is injected directly into your painful joint. So it controls the swelling inside the joint, reduces your pain, and helps you move more easily. What is special about this is that it is an extended-release injection . That means that once injected, its activity remains within the joint for weeks, maybe months. In Sri Lanka, you may find this under the brand name `Zilretta`. But it is possible to get the vaccine under other names. However, this is not something you can buy from a pharmacy and inject yourself. This is definitely a vaccine that must be given by a doctor in a hospital or clinic.

Things you need to tell your doctor before getting this vaccine

This is very important. Before giving you this injection, the doctor will ask you about your health. But it is also important for you to tell him about every little ailment you have without hiding anything. Because this steroid medicine can interact with some medical conditions. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions listed below, you should tell your doctor about it.

• Diabetes : This medicine may increase blood sugar levels .
• High blood pressureBlood pressure: Blood pressure may increase further.
• Heart disease or a recent heart attack: It is essential to be aware of this.
• Glaucoma: Can affect eye pressure.
• Infections: If you currently have any infections such as tuberculosis, herpes, chickenpox, measles, or fungal infections.
• Liver disease
• Diseases of the stomach or intestines: (for example, gastritis or intestinal ulcers)
• Seizures
• Thyroid disease
• Mental health problems: (for example, a condition like depression)
• Low blood potassium levels
• A hormonal condition called `Cushing syndrome` .
• A neurological condition called `Myasthenia gravis' .
• If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant: This is a must-say.
• If you are a mother who is breastfeeding.
• If you have previously had an allergy to triamcinolone or any other type of steroid (corticosteroid), benzyl alcohol, any other medicine, food, or dye.

How is this medicine given and used?

This is a very simple procedure. This injection is injected directly into your painful knee joint. This is done by a doctor or a trained medical staff member, in a hospital or clinic. So you have nothing to worry about. This is not a medicine usually given to children. However, if it is necessary to give it to a child in a special case, special care is needed.

What to do if the medication is too much?

This is a doctor-administered medicine, so the chances of this happening are very low. However, if you think you have overdosed on this medicine, or if you experience any unusual symptoms, immediately contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. Most importantly: This medicine is for you only. Do not share it with anyone else for any reason.

Other medications that may interact with this medicine

You may already be taking medications for other conditions. Some medications can interact with triamcinolone. Therefore, give your doctor a complete list of all the medications you are taking, including prescription medications, over-the-counter pain relievers, vitamins, herbal remedies, and traditional medicines. Also, tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol. Be especially careful with the following medications:

• Aspirin
• Some antiviral drugs for HIV infection
• Medicines for fungal infections such as `ketoconazole` and `itraconazole`
• Clarithromycin (an antibiotic)
• `Mifepristone`
• `Nefazodone`
• Other types of steroids (pills or ointments)
• Vaccines

This list is not complete, so it's best to tell your doctor about everything you take.

Things to be careful about after getting vaccinated

Your work is not over after getting the vaccine. There are a few things you need to take care of on your part as well. 1. Regular check-ups: Go back exactly on the days your doctor tells you to. It is important to check how you are doing. 2. An identification card: If you have to take this vaccine for a long time, it is wise to keep a card with your name, the name and dosage of the medicine you are taking, and the name and address of your doctor. 3. Protection from infections: Steroids can weaken the body's immunity a little. Therefore, stay away from people who have chickenpox or measles while taking this medicine. If you accidentally come into contact with such a person, talk to your doctor immediately. 4. Blood sugar levels: As we mentioned earlier, this medicine can increase your blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, your doctor may advise you to control your diet or change the dosage of your diabetes medication. Be careful about that.

What are the possible side effects?

Like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects in some people. But not everyone will experience them. The important thing is to know what these side effects are and how serious they are. Let's break this down into two parts to make it clearer. If you notice anything unusual that is not on this list, talk to your doctor about it too. Triamcinolone injection Sinhala, knee pain medicine, arthritis treatment, steroid injection Sri Lanka, Zilretta injection, joint pain, steroid side effects