Aristocort Tablets (triamcinolone) contain a glucocorticoid, useful in treating inflammation and allergies.

Note that this product's active ingredient, triamcinolone, is also used in topical ointments, nasal sprays, inhalation powder, and is sometimes administered by injection. It is also available under many different brand names, dosage strengths, and is sometimes combined with other medications. Be sure the correct formulation and dosage strength is being purchased. This page is for simple triamcinolone tablets, taken by mouth, not combined with any other active ingredients.

As a single medication Aristocort Tablets are still quite potent. The medication inhibits the swelling, heat, pain, and other discomforts associated with inflammation, as well as minimizes symptoms of overactive immune systems, such as in lupus. Patients often use Aristocort Tablets to help manage:

• Allergic disorders
• Breathing disorders
• Skin conditions
• Arthritis
• Lupus
• Psoriasis
• Ulcerative colitis
• Sympathetic ophthalmia
• Other similar disorders

As a glucocorticoid, triamcinolone is a steroid. Steroid use is not without risks, and if used long term, particularly in children, side effects can be severe and permanent, such as stunted growth.

Steroids inhibit the immune system's response to any attacker. Patients should take care to avoid situations where exposure to contagions are likely, and should avoid getting vaccinations or immunizations, particularly of the live variety. Other individuals who have recently received live vaccinations should likewise be avoided.

Doctor instructions should be followed for the duration of treatment. Dosage is usually tapered down at the end of treatment; stopping abruptly can produce withdrawal effects.

Taking Aristocort Tablets

Treatment with Aristocort Tablets can be a complicated subject. In general the medication works best when administered directly to the target area; this means ointments are often preferred for skin conditions, inhalers for breathing disorders, nasal spray for runny nose and other symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Tablets may, however, be prescribed for any of these in severe cases or in scenarios in which other administration methods are unsuitable.

For systemic conditions, such as lupus, ulcerative colitis, and so forth, administration by tablet is ideal and preferred.

Injections are usually reserved for very severe conditions and administered in a medical setting, rather than at home, though there are occasionally exceptions.

Dosage will vary according to numerous factors, including:

• The condition being treated;
• The condition's severity;
• Other medical conditions present;
• Other medications being taken;
• Age, weight, and other personal variables;
• Patient response to treatment.

It is, therefore, extremely difficult to summarize treatment with Aristocort Tablets; it's simply too variable.

In the majority of cases Aristocort Tablets are used only short-term. Again there are exceptions, but Aristocort Tablets should not be taken for longer than three or four weeks without explicit doctor instruction.

More common than long-term treatment is repeated treatment; the medication may be administered during a flare-up, for example, then tapered off until the next flare-up weeks or months later.

Tablets should be taken with food to prevent gastrointestinal side effects. In most cases (but not all) tablets are taken just once per day. As mentioned above, dosage is usually gradually tapered down to end treatment; a patient may take three tablets per day at the height of treatment, then two per day for a week, then one per day for a week. A doctor can help with a discontinuation plan.

Taken as directed the majority of patients have no major issues with Aristocort Tablets. Children can safely use the medication as long as it's short-term and infrequent. In the majority of cases, Aristocort Tablets provide rapid, much-needed relief from the ailment they're taken for.