Triamcinolone

Triamcinolone, steroid drug used to treat breathing problems associated with such disorders as hay fever and asthma. Triamcinolone works by keeping open the bronchial tubes (the two divisions of the windpipe leading into the lungs) and reducing inflammation in the mucous tissues of the respiratory tract. It is also effective in treating inflamed areas of the skin as well as growths (polyps) inside the nose.

This drug is available by prescription only in several forms, including an oral inhalant, tablets, cream and ointment forms applied topically, and a liquid form that is injected. Triamcinolone is usually prescribed for adults in 2 inhalations, two to three times a day, with a maximum of 16 inhalations per day. The tablet dosage ranges from 4 to 48 mg per day. Tablets may be taken with food to avoid stomach upset. Children 6 to 12 years old can use this drug, although prescribed dosages are usually smaller. Effectiveness is typically apparent within one to two weeks of treatment.

Triamcinolone does not provide immediate relief from respiratory difficulties, but helps alleviate symptoms. Long-term treatment with this drug (months to years) is sometimes prescribed to control asthma.

Possible side effects may include a dry mouth or throat, fluid retention, hoarseness, wheezing, skin rash, headache, memory loss, weight loss, nasal irritation or congestion, nosebleed, sneezing, or fungal infections in the mouth or throat.

Patients with bronchitis or a systemic fungal infection should not use this drug. It should be used with caution by patients with diabetes, glaucoma (an eye disorder), peptic ulcer, myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness), or a history of tuberculosis. Its safety for pregnant or breast-feeding women has not been adequately studied. Unvaccinated patients taking triamcinolone should avoid exposure to chicken pox and measles.

This drug may interact adversely with bronchodilators (both inhaled and tablet forms), warfarin, diabetes drugs (including insulin), digoxin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, and primidone. Treatment with triamcinolone should not be stopped abruptly because it may trigger a dangerous imbalance in the body’s endocrine system.

Brand Names:Azmacort, Nasacort

Prednisone

Prednisone, drug used to treat a variety of ailments including arthritis, asthma, tuberculosis, ulcerative colitis (inflamed colon), certain cancers, multiple sclerosis, skin diseases, and severe allergic reactions. Prednisone is also used to prevent rejection of transplanted organs. An anti-inflammatory drug known as a steroid, prednisone works by suppressing the action of certain white blood cells in the immune system.

Prednisone is available only by prescription. It is taken orally in tablet or liquid form, usually with food to avoid stomach upset. Dosages vary from 5 to 60 mg per day, although some acute conditions may be treated with up to 200 mg per day. Prednisone’s effectiveness is usually apparent after four to ten days of treatment. It is usually discontinued gradually, with smaller and smaller doses until the end of treatment.

Patients with widespread fungus infections, peptic ulcer disease, active tuberculosis, or an eye infection caused by the herpes simplex virus should not take this drug. It should be used with caution by patients with glaucoma, diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, myasthenia gravis (chronic muscle weakness), gastrointestinal disorders, impaired thyroid function, or a history of tuberculosis. Patients taking prednisone should avoid exposure to chicken pox and measles and should not be vaccinated during treatment. Children may take this drug, but long-term use is not recommended as it may stunt growth. Pregnant and breast-feeding women should avoid prednisone.

Possible side effects may include insomnia, depression, mood swings, headache, dizziness, muscle cramps, skin rash, acne, high blood pressure, weight gain, or fluid retention. Long-term use may cause various eye problems or Cushing’s syndrome, a hormonal disorder characterized by obesity, muscle weakness, brittle bones, and purplish, thick skin.

Prednisone may interact adversely with cyclosporine, carbamazepine, ketoconazole, amphotericin B, phenytoin, rifampin, birth control pills, diabetes medications, estrogen supplements, and certain diuretics.

Brand Names: Deltasone, Liquid Pred, Prednicen-M, Sterapred

Methylprednisolone

Methylprednisolone, steroid drug used in the treatment of various inflammatory and allergic disorders. It reduces swelling, redness, itching, and allergic reactions by blocking some of the body’s normal immune system defenses. It is most commonly used to manage serious skin disorders such as dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis; and to treat asthma; inflammation of the small intestine (enteritis); multiple sclerosis; lupus erythematous; ulcerative colitis; and major rheumatic disorders like bursitis, tendinitis, and most forms of arthritis. It is also used to treat anemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in people with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), bone cysts in children, croup, and severe vomiting caused by chemotherapy.

This drug is available by prescription only. It comes in a tablet, an injectable liquid, an ointment, and an enema. For tablets, the usual adult dosage is 4 to 48 mg daily, taken orally as a single dose or in divided doses; a reduced tablet dosage is prescribed for children and may be prescribed for adults over the age of 60. The usual adult dosage for injections into a muscle or joint is 10 to 120 mg at intervals ranging from once a week to once every four weeks; the injection dosage for children is prescribed according to body weight. The usual adult dosage for enemas is 40 mg three to seven times per week, preferably right after a bowel movement; the enema dosage for children is determined individually by a physician. The effect of methylprednisolone should be felt in two to four days. For acute disorders, it is usually taken for four to ten days. For chronic disorders, this drug should be taken only as long as needed to stabilize the chronic condition and permit a gradual withdrawal.

Methylprednisolone can be taken with food or milk to prevent stomach irritation. It should not be used by persons who have had an allergic reaction to it in the past or by pregnant or breast-feeding women. It should also be avoided by persons with active tuberculosis, peptic ulcer disease, eye infections caused by the herpes simplex virus, or recent surgical joining of two bowel segments. It should be used with caution by persons with reduced kidney function and people over the age of 60. Prolonged use in infants and children should be avoided. Methylprednisolone should be discontinued 72 hours before vaccination against measles, rabies, smallpox, or yellow fever and should not be resumed for at least 14 days after vaccination. This drug should not be stopped abruptly after long-term treatment but should be tapered off in decreasing dosages.

Common side effects of methylprednisolone include increased appetite, weight gain, retention of salt and water, and elimination of potassium in the urine. Prolonged use of the oral form is associated with serious side effects such as mood alterations, increased blood sugar, possible diabetes, osteoporosis (loss of bone strength), hypertension (high blood pressure), arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat), peptic ulcer, cataracts, glaucoma, reactivation of latent tuberculosis, retarded growth and development in children, and increased susceptibility to infection.

Methylprednisolone may interact adversely with certain drugs including amphotericin B; antacids; antihypertensive (high blood pressure) drugs; aspirin; barbiturates ; carbamazepine; cyclosporine; digoxin; ephedrine; drugs containing estrogen; insulin; ketoconazole; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, indomethacin, ketoprofen, and naproxen; oral anticoagulants (blood thinners); oral antidiabetic drugs; oral contraceptives (birth control pills); phenytoin; and certain vaccines. Heavy smoking may add to the effects of methylprednisolone, and drinking alcoholic beverages can increase the risk of peptic ulcers in persons taking this drug orally.

Brand Names:Duralone, Medrol, Meprolone

Oxaprozin

Oxaprozin, drug used for relief of pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, and tendinitis. Oxaprozin blocks the production of chemicals called prostaglandins, which may trigger pain and inflammation.

This drug is available by prescription only and comes in 600-mg caplets that are taken orally. The typical adult dosage is 1200 mg per day determined individually on the basis of weight and health. Pain is usually relieved after a single dose, but reduction of inflammation may require regular doses for several days. One to two weeks of continual usage determines the general effectiveness of the drug, although the full effect may not be apparent during the first six weeks of regular use.

Oxaprozin should be taken with a full glass of water or milk, with meals, or with a prescribed antacid. To avoid adverse side effects, the lowest effective daily dose should be taken. Persons who have had a previous allergic reaction to oxaprozin or to any other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as aspirin, should not take this drug. It should be avoided by pregnant or breast-feeding women, and by persons with bleeding or blood cell disorders, or a severe impairment of kidney function. It should be used with caution by persons with reduced liver or kidney function. The safety and effectiveness of this drug for children under the age of 12 have not been established. Small doses are advisable for persons over the age of 60 until tolerance is determined. Driving and other risk-related activities should be restricted if drowsiness or dizziness occurs.

Possible side effects of oxaprozin may include altered or blurred vision, constipation, depression, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, hives, indigestion, itching, mouth sores, nausea, ringing in the ears, skin rash, increased skin sensitivity to sunlight, sleep disturbances, and vomiting. Rare but serious side effects include kidney damage and gastrointestinal pain, ulceration, and bleeding.

Drinking alcoholic beverages with this drug may increase the risk of stomach ulceration or bleeding. Oxaprozin may interact adversely with other drugs including acetaminophen; anticoagulants; aspirin; beta blockers; diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide and furosemide; enoxaparin; indomethacin; lithium; methotrexate; sulfinpyrazone; valproic acid; and warfarin.

Brand Name:Daypro

Diclofenac Sodium

Diclofenac Sodium, drug used to treat various forms of arthritis. It is also sometimes used to relieve menstrual pain (see Menstruation). An anti-inflammatory analgesic, this drug works by reducing concentrations of certain chemicals in tissue that produce inflammation and pain, thereby relieving the swelling and stiffness commonly associated with arthritis.

Diclofenac sodium must be prescribed by a doctor. Tablets are taken orally two to five times per day. The total daily dosage usually ranges from 100 to 200 mg, with 225 mg being the recommended maximum. Tablets should be taken with a full glass of water and, if stomach upset occurs, with food. Not lying down for 20 to 30 minutes after taking the drug can also help prevent stomach upset. Effectiveness of this drug may not be seen for one to two weeks after beginning treatment.

Patients who experience allergic reactions to aspirin or related medications should not take diclofenac sodium. Patients with kidney or liver problems, ulcers, heart disease, or high blood pressure should use this drug with caution. Its safety for use during pregnancy is not known, but it is known to appear in breast milk. Children under the age of 12 should not use this drug.

Ulcers or internal bleeding are sometimes caused by this medication. Other possible side effects include abdominal pain, indigestion, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, headache, or dizziness. Occasionally seen are fluid retention, skin rash, ringing in the ears, blurred or double vision, hair loss, insomnia, light sensitivity, facial swelling, or vomiting. An overdose of diclofenac sodium can cause acute kidney failure, lung inflammation, drowsiness, or loss of consciousness.

This drug may interact adversely with aspirin, blood-thinning medications, diuretics, heart medications containing digitalis, insulin and certain other diabetes drugs, cyclosporine, lithium, methotrexate, and carteolol.

Brand Name:Voltaren