Kenalog-40 vs. Celestone

• Are Kenalog-40 and Celestone the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Kenalog-40?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Celestone?
• What Is Kenalog-40?
• What Is Celestone?
• What Drugs Interact with Kenalog-40?
• What Drugs Interact with Celestone?
• How Should Kenalog-40 Be Taken?
• How Should Celestone Be Taken?

Kenalog-40 (triamcinolone acetonide) and Celestone (betamethasone) are corticosteroids indicated for allergic states, skin diseases, respiratory diseases, arthritis, and more.

Kenalog-40 is administered intramuscularly or intraarticularly, and Celestone is taken orally.

Side effects of Kenalog-40 and Celestone that are similar include sleep problems (insomnia), mood changes, headache, spinning sensation (vertigo), dizziness, nausea, bloating, stomach or side pain, acne, scaling or other skin changes, a wound that is slow to heal, bruising/discoloration or swelling, and increased sweating.

Side effects of Kenalog-40 that are different from Celestone include allergic reactions, euphoria, appetite changes, stomach upset, thinning hair, irregular menstrual periods, redness or pain at the injection site, and weight gain.

Side effects of Celestone that are different from Kenalog-40 include dry skin, thinning skin, and changes in shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).

Both Kenalog-40 and Celestone may interact with insulin, seizure medications, aspirin, and blood thinners.

Kenalog-40 may also interact with birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, cyclosporine, digoxin, oral diabetes medications, isoniazid, rifampin, antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or “live” vaccines.

Celestone may also interact with diuretics, other steroid medications, and alcohol.

Common side effects of Kenalog-40 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.

Common side effects of Celestone include:

• sleep problems (insomnia)
• mood changes
• acne
• dry skin
• thinning skin
• bruising or discoloration
• skin problems
• slow wound healing
• increased sweating
• headache
• dizziness
• spinning sensation
• nausea
• stomach pain
• bloating
• changes in shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist)

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.

Celestone (betamethasone) is corticosteroid used to prevent inflammation and to treat conditions such as allergic disorders, skin conditions, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, lupus, breathing disorders and more. Celestone is available in generic form.

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. Systemically administered corticosteroids appear in human milk and could suppress growth, interfere with endogenous corticosteroid production, or cause other untoward effects. Caution should be exercised when corticosteroids are administered to a nursing woman. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Corticosteroids like Kenalog-40 should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Infants born to mothers who have received corticosteroids during pregnancy should be carefully observed for signs of hypoadrenalism. Because of potential toxicity, Kenalog-40 use in pediatrics is cautioned.

Tell your doctor if you are taking medications such as aspirin, diuretics blood thinners, seizure medicine or insulin as these and other medications can interact with betamethasone. Betamethasone and other steroid medication can weaken your immune system. Alcohol consumption should also be avoided.

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.

Dosage of betamethasone may vary from 0.6 mg to 7.2 mg per day depending on the condition being treated.