Has your doctor told you to give your eye a steroid injection because of a medical condition? He may have been talking about a drug called Triamcinolone. You may have been a little scared when you heard this name. You may have thought, "Oh, I'm getting an injection in my eye?" But don't worry. This is actually an important treatment that is often given to protect your eyesight. Today, let's talk about this drug called Triamcinolone, what it does, and what you need to be careful about.
What is Triamcinolone? Why is it given to the eyes?
Simply put, Triamcinolone is a drug that belongs to a class of drugs called steroids. We know that steroids are powerful medications that control swelling and inflammation in the body.
So, various medical conditions inside the eye (for example, eye swelling due to diabetes, other inflammations) can cause swelling. If this swelling is not controlled, the delicate parts of the eye can be damaged and vision can be impaired or even lost altogether. Triamcinolone injection goes inside the eye and controls this swelling and inflammation. Just like when we have an injury somewhere in our body and it swells, the swelling is reduced, this medicine controls the disease inside the eye.
Things you need to tell your doctor before giving this vaccine
Okay, now this is the most important part. Before giving you this vaccine, your doctor will need to know your complete health history. This medicine may not be compatible with some other diseases and medications you are taking. So, if you have any of the following, do not hide anything and tell your doctor.
| Condition/Disease Category | Things you should know |
|---|---|
| Eye-related diseases | Infections such as glaucoma, cataracts, blurred vision, and eye herpes. |
| Heart disease and blood pressure | High blood pressure, heart disease, heart failure. |
| Infections and immunity | Tuberculosis (TB) or other bacterial, fungal, or viral infections. Weakened immune system. |
| Other illnesses | Kidney disease, mental illness, Myasthenia Gravis, Osteoporosis (thinning of the bones), Stomach ulcers, Thyroid disease. |
| Medications and allergies | If you are taking other steroids (e.g. Prednisolone), have allergies to Triamcinolone or any other medicine or food. |
| Special occasions | If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
How is the vaccine given?
This is not a medicine you can use at home. It is injected into the eye by an eye surgeon in a hospital or clinic, in a very clean and safe environment. The eye is numbed before the injection, so you won't feel much pain. So there's nothing to worry about.
Since this is given by a doctor, the chance of an 'overdose' is very low. However, if you suspect that you have overdosed or if you experience any unusual side effects, immediately contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the nearest Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU).
If you are giving this vaccine to young children, special care is needed. Talk to your medical team about this.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Because triamcinolone is a strong medication, it can interact with some of the other medications you are taking. Therefore, you should tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, not just the ones prescribed by your doctor, but also the painkillers, vitamins, and traditional medicines you buy from the pharmacy.
| Type of medicine | Description |
|---|---|
| Never use Triamcinolone with these | |
| Vaccines | May interfere with the effectiveness of some vaccines. |
| If you are using these medications, inform your doctor. | |
| Medications for diabetes | This vaccine can increase blood sugar levels. |
| Painkillers (e.g. Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen) | The risk of stomach bleeding may increase. |
| Medicines that prevent blood clotting (e.g. Warfarin) | The risk of bleeding may vary. |
| Many other drugs | Antibiotics, antifungals, seizure medications (e.g. Carbamazepine, Phenytoin), Digoxin for heart disease, birth control pills, and many more. |
This list is not exhaustive, so it's safest to tell your doctor about all the medications you're taking.
What are the possible side effects?
As with any medication, there are potential side effects. Some are minor, but some require immediate attention.
| Side effect | Description and what to do |
|---|---|
| Things to report to your medical team immediately | |
| Eye changes | New eye pain , sudden changes in vision, blurred vision, seeing rings around lights, redness of the eye, or discharge. |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| High blood sugar (Hyperglycemia) | Excessive thirst, passing more urine than usual, unusual weakness, blurred vision. |
| Increased blood pressure | Severe headache, chest pain, difficulty breathing. |
| Signs of infection | Fever, chills, sore throat, non-healing wounds, and malaise. |
| Body changes | Cushing syndrome (fat accumulation around the abdomen, neck, and face), swelling of the limbs, changes in mental status (anxiety, depression). |
| Stomach bleeding | Black or bloody stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds. |
| Usually not serious, but tell your doctor if it persists. | |
| Minor side effects | Blurred vision, headache, and slight pain or redness at the injection site for a short time after the injection. |
This list may not include all possible side effects, so talk to your doctor about anything that seems unusual to you.
Take-Home Message
- Triamcinolone is a steroid injection that reduces swelling and inflammation inside the eye and protects vision.
- This vaccine is given by a specialist doctor in a hospital or clinic, so don't be unnecessarily afraid of it.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking and any other medical conditions you have.
- If you experience eye pain, sudden changes in vision, or redness after receiving the vaccine, ignore it and seek medical advice immediately.
- This medicine may cause other side effects in the body (e.g., increased blood sugar, increased blood pressure), so be aware of that and follow the doctor's instructions.
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