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Kenalog-40 vs. Solu-Medrol

Are Kenalog-40 and Solu-Medrol the Same Thing?

Kenalog-40 (triamcinolone acetonide) and Solu-Medrol (methylprednisolone) are corticosteroids indicated for use in allergic states, skin diseases, endocrine disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, rheumatic disorders, and several other conditions.

Side effects of Kenalog-40 and Solu-Medrol that are similar include sleep problems (insomnia), headache, dizziness, nausea, appetite changes, acne, easy bruising, increased sweating, irregular menstrual periods, fluid retention (swelling), weight gain, and injection site reactions (pain, redness, or swelling).

Side effects of Kenalog-40 that are different from Solu-Medrol include allergic reactions, mood swings, euphoria, spinning sensation (vertigo), bloating, stomach or side pain, stomach upset, scaling or other skin changes, a wound that is slow to heal, and thinning hair.

Side effects of Sou-Medrol that are different from Kenalog-40 include high blood pressure, potassium loss, muscle weakness, puffiness of the face, hair growth on the face, thinning skin, glaucoma, cataracts, peptic ulcers, high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), growth retardation in children, convulsions, vomiting, heartburn, and psychiatric disturbances.

Both Kenalog-40 and Solu-Medrol may interact with blood thinners, antidiabetic agents, estrogens such as birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, rifampin, and "live" vaccines.

Kenalog-40 may also interact with cyclosporine, digoxin, insulin or oral diabetes medications, isoniazid, seizure medications, antibiotics, and aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Solu-Medrol may also interact with amphotericin B, erythromycin, and ketoconazole.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Kenalog-40?

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.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Solu-Medrol?

Common side effects of Solu-Medrol include:

  • fluid retention,
  • weight gain,
  • high blood pressure,
  • potassium loss,
  • headache,
  • muscle weakness,
  • puffiness of the face,
  • hair growth on the face,
  • thinning and easy bruising of the skin,
  • glaucoma,
  • cataracts,
  • peptic ulcers,
  • high blood sugar (hyperglycemia),
  • irregular menstrual periods,
  • growth retardation in children,
  • convulsions,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • heartburn,
  • dizziness,
  • trouble sleeping,
  • appetite changes,
  • increased sweating,
  • acne,
  • psychiatric disturbances, and
  • injection site reactions (pain, redness, or swelling).

What Is Kenalog-40?

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.

What Is Solu-Medrol?

Solu-Medrol (methylprednisolone) is a synthetic corticosteroid used for severe or incapacitating allergic conditions, dermatologic diseases, endocrine disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, rheumatic disorders, and several other conditions.

What Drugs Interact With Kenalog-40?

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.

What Drugs Interact With Solu-Medrol?

Corticosteroids suppress the immune system and predispose patients to bacterial, fungal, or viral infections. Solu-medrol interacts with live vaccines, amphotericin B, erythromycin, warfarin, antidiabetic agents, estrogens, ketoconazole, and rifampin. It has not been adequately evaluated in pregnant or nursing women. Abruptly stopping Solu-medrol can cause symptoms of corticosteroid insufficiency.

How Should Kenalog-40 Be Taken?

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.

How Should Solu-Medrol Be Taken?

Dosing depends on the condition being treated.

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