Over-the-counter medication · Corticosteroid
triamcinolone
Also sold as Kenalog, Aristocort. This ointment treats skin problems that cause swelling, redness, and itching.
Data updated 2026-05-15
- 2
- InteractionsFew interactions
- In shortage
- FDA status
What the data shows
triamcinolone (Kenalog) is an over-the-counter Corticosteroid, with 2 documented drug interactions.
Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.
triamcinolone (Kenalog) is an over-the-counter Corticosteroid. This ointment treats skin problems that cause swelling, redness, and itching.
Triamcinolone Acetonide Ointment is a steroid medicine that reduces inflammation and itching. It comes in different strengths.
Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →
Drug Shortage Alert
triamcinolone is currently listed as in shortage by the FDA. Affected manufacturer: Harrow Eye, LLC. Status: Limited Availability.
View all drug shortages →Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$0.03/unit
Generic Available
Yes (44 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
This ointment treats skin problems that cause swelling, redness, and itching.
Common side effects
Burning, Itching, Irritation
Key warnings
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.
The sections below are summarized in plain English from triamcinolone's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.
How It Works
Triamcinolone Acetonide is a synthetic steroid. It works by reducing inflammation and itching in the affected area. It does this by changing how your immune system responds.
How to Take It
Apply a thin layer of the 0.025% ointment to the affected area 2 to 4 times daily. If you are using the 0.1% or 0.5% ointment, apply it 2 to 3 times daily. You can cover the treated area with a nonporous bandage if your doctor tells you to. If you use a bandage, reapply the ointment each time you change the bandage.
This is a plain-language summary of triamcinolone's FDA labeling, not individualized dosing advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before changing how you take this medication.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
It is not known if this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before using this medicine.
This is a plain-language summary of triamcinolone's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber about pregnancy or breastfeeding on this medication.
Missed Dose
Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
This is a plain-language summary of triamcinolone's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber what to do about your specific missed dose.
Storage
Store at room temperature, between 68° to 77°F.
Serious Warnings
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. If you develop a skin infection, stop using occlusive dressings.
Known Drug Interactions
betamethasone budesonide ciclesonide fluticasone methylprednisolone mometasone triamcinolone ↑ corticosteroids Co-administration with corticosteroids (all routes of administration) of which exposures are significantly increased by strong CYP3A inhibitors can increase the risk for Cushing's syndrome and adrenal suppression.
Mechanism: Darunavir stops the body from breaking down the steroid, which can lead to serious hormone problems like Cushing's syndrome.
What to do: Avoid using these together if possible, as the combination can cause your body to have dangerous levels of steroid hormones.
Corticosteroids primarily metabolized by CYP3A betamethasone, budesonide, ciclesonide, dexamethasone, fluticasone, methylprednisolone, mometasone, triamcinolone ↑ corticosteroid Co-administration with corticosteroids (all routes of administration) of which exposures are significantly increased by strong CYP3A inhibitors can increase the risk for Cushing’s syndrome and adrenal suppression.
Mechanism: Paxlovid blocks the enzyme that breaks down triamcinolone, causing the steroid levels to stay too high for too long. This can lead to serious hormonal problems like Cushing's syndrome.
What to do: Use caution when taking these together as your doctor may need to adjust your steroid dose. Watch for signs of hormone changes and report them to your healthcare provider.
This is a plain-language summary of interactions documented in FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before combining medications.
Common Questions
Can I use this on my face?
What strength should I use?
Can I use a bandage?
What if it burns when I put it on?
How long should I use this medicine?
Can I buy this over the counter?
What should I do if I get it in my eyes?
Can children use this medicine?
What happens if I use too much?
Can I use this for other skin conditions?
What are the common side effects of triamcinolone?
Does triamcinolone interact with other medications?
What drug class is triamcinolone?
Is triamcinolone safe during pregnancy?
Has triamcinolone been recalled?
Is triamcinolone currently in shortage?
Active Recalls
Presence of Foreign substance - potential presence of metal particulate matter
F.H. INVESTMENTS, Inc. (dba Asteria Health)
Presence of Foreign substance - potential presence of metal particulate matter
F.H. INVESTMENTS, Inc. (dba Asteria Health)
Presence of Foreign substance - potential presence of metal particulate matter
F.H. INVESTMENTS, Inc. (dba Asteria Health)
Presence of particulate matter - Glass like particles.
Imprimis NJOF, LLC
CGMP Deviations: Potential presence of metal particulate matter
FARMAKEIO OUTSOURCING LLC
CGMP Deviations: Potential presence of metal particulate matter
FARMAKEIO OUTSOURCING LLC
Failed Dissolution Specifications - did not meet the acceptance criteria for IVR Level 3 testing at 9 months 2-8¿C followed by 6 weeks at 25¿C
PACIRA PHARMACEUTICALS INC
Presence of Particulate Matter: A product complaint of a piece of glass was identified in a vial. The piece of glass appears to be roughly 1 cm x 0.5 cm inside the vial.
Eugia US LLC
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Medication Guides
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What the FDA Data Shows for triamcinolone
The FDA label for triamcinolone (sold under brand names such as Kenalog, Aristocort) classifies it as an over-the-counter product in the Corticosteroid class. This ointment treats skin problems that cause swelling, redness, and itching. Official labeling lists 5 commonly reported side effects, including Burning, Itching, Irritation.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. Voluntary reports accumulate over the lifetime of a drug and reflect wide-ranging clinical use. The database also lists 2 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.03.
Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history (currently 8 recall records on file), and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC). Shortage status: FDA Drug Shortages Database.
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: January 20, 2026
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled and last refreshed May 2026. See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a correction.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book - approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed - NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) - post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm - standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files - federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database - current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages