Two medicines, side by side
Tacrolimus vs triamcinolone
Tacrolimus and triamcinolone are both labeled for eczema (atopic dermatitis). Drugs@FDA records approvals of tacrolimus since 1994 and of triamcinolone since 1957. Pharmacies paid $0.970 per gram (Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment) and $0.0452 per gram (Triamcinolone 0.1% cream) (NADAC, October 7, 2026). Triamcinolone's other strengths are brand-only: $2.33 per mL (Kenalog-10 50 mg/5 mL vial). In FDA's classes, tacrolimus is a calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressant and triamcinolone a corticosteroid.
Check it at the source: the tacrolimus FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 17, 2026); the triamcinolone FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 28, 2026).
Highlights of the tacrolimus record
Tacrolimus (Prograf) · label of July 17, 2026
MALIGNANCIES AND SERIOUS INFECTIONS Increased risk for developing serious infections and malignancies with Tacrolimus or other immunosuppressants that may lead to hospitalization or death. ( 5.1 , 5.2 ) WARNING: MALIGNANCIES AND SERIOUS INFECTIONS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Increased risk for developing serious infections and malignancies with tacrolimus or other immunosuppressants that may lead to hospitalization or death.
Used for
From the label: indicationsTacrolimus capsules are a calcineurin-inhibitor immunosuppressant indicated for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in adult and pediatric patients receiving allogeneic liver, kidney or heart transplants, in combination with other immunosuppressants. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 8, 1994
- Generic labelers
- 33 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.970 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 9
Highlights of the triamcinolone record
Triamcinolone (Kenalog) · label of January 28, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsTopical corticosteroids are indicated for the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 3, 1957
- Generic labelers
- 73 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0452 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- Listed; available
- Recalls
- 27
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Tacrolimus label of July 17, 2026, Triamcinolone label of January 28, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do tacrolimus and triamcinolone differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, tacrolimus is a calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressant and triamcinolone a corticosteroid.
Only the tacrolimus label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: tacrolimus since 2009; triamcinolone since 1972 (Drugs@FDA).
| Tacrolimus | Triamcinolone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Organ transplant rejection, Eczema (atopic dermatitis) | Asthma, Eczema (atopic dermatitis), Anemia, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Allergies, Fever, Pain, Osteoarthritis |
| Pharmacologic class | Calcineurin Inhibitor Immunosuppressant | Corticosteroid |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | Fecal elimination accounted for 92.4±1.0% and the elimination half-life based on radioactivity was 48.1±15.9 hours whereas it was 43.5±11.6 hours based on tacrolimus concentrations. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 8, 1994 | December 3, 1957 |
| First generic approved | August 10, 2009 | April 26, 1972 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 33 labelers | 73 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.970 per gram (Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment) | $0.0452 per gram (Triamcinolone 0.1% cream) |
| 12-month price change | +3% | -18% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | Listed; available |
| Recalls recorded | 9 | 27 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 156,020 | 31,591 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to tacrolimus
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions