Depo-Medrol vs. Kenalog

• Are Kenalog and Depo-Medrol the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Depo-Medrol?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Kenalog?
• What is Depo-Medrol?
• What is Kenalog?
• What Drugs Interact with Depo-Medrol?
• What Drugs Interact with Kenalog?
• How Should Depo-Medrol Be Taken?
• How Should Kenalog Be Taken?

Depo-Medrol (methylprednisolone acetate) and Kenalog-40 (triamcinolone acetonide) are corticosteroids used to treat pain and swelling that occurs with arthritis and other joint disorders. They are also used to treat blood disorders, allergic reactions, certain cancers, eye conditions, skin/intestinal/kidney/lung diseases, immune system disorders, endocrine disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, hematologic disorders, respiratory diseases, rheumatic disorders, and nervous system disorders.

Common side effects of Depo-Medrol include:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• heartburn,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• trouble sleeping,
• appetite changes,
• increased sweating,
• acne, or
• injection site reactions (pain, redness, swelling).

Other side effects of Depo-Medrol include a rise in blood sugar, and a lowered ability to fight infections.

Common side effects of Kenalog include:

• allergic reactions,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• mood swings,
• headache,
• euphoria,
• spinning sensation (vertigo),
• dizziness,
• nausea,
• bloating,
• appetite changes,
• stomach or side pain,
• stomach upset,
• acne,
• scaling or other skin changes,
• a wound that is slow to heal,
• thinning hair,
• bruising or swelling,
• sweating more than usual,
• irregular menstrual periods,
• redness or pain at the injection site, or
• weight gain.

Depo-Medrol (methylprednisolone acetate) is an anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid used to treat pain and swelling that occurs with arthritis and other joint disorders. It may also be used to treat conditions such as blood disorders, severe allergic reactions, certain cancers, eye conditions, skin/intestinal/kidney/lung diseases, and immune system disorders. Depo-Medrol is available in generic form.

Kenalog-40 (triamcinolone acetonide) is a corticosteroid indicated for intramuscular or intraarticular use only in allergic states, dermatologic diseases, endocrine disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, hematologic disorders, renal diseases, respiratory diseases, rheumatic disorders, and nervous system disorders where oral therapy is not feasible.

Depo-Medrol may interact with aldesleukin, mifepristone, antibiotics, other drugs that weaken the immune response, other drugs that cause bleeding/bruising, azole antifungals, boceprevir, cyclosporine, estrogens, HIV protease inhibitors, rifamycins, St. John's wort, seizure medications, and telaprevir. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Kenalog-40 may interact with birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, blood thinners, cyclosporine, digoxin, insulin or oral diabetes medications, isoniazid, rifampin, seizure medications, antibiotics, aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or “live” vaccines. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use and all vaccines you recently received.

The initial dosage of Depo-Medrol varies from 4 to 120 mg depending on the disease being treated.

The usual suggested initial dose of Kenalog-40 is 60 mg, injected deeply into the gluteal muscle. Dosage is usually adjusted within the range of 40 mg to 80 mg, depending upon patient response and duration of relief. However, some patients may be well controlled on doses as low as 20 mg or less. Many doses are based on the patient's response to the medication and can be quite variable.