Generic name: Triamcinolone (intravitreal)
Pregnancy & Lactation: Risk data not available
What is Xipere?
Triamcinolone is a steroid medicine that reduces inflammation in the body.
Triamcinolone intravitreal is injected into the eye to treat inflammation caused by disease, injury, or a certain type of eye surgery.
Triamcinolone intravitreal may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
You should not be treated with this medicine if you are allergic to triamcinolone, or if you have a fungal infection anywhere in your body.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- any type of bacterial, fungal, or viral infection;
- a parasite infection;
- tuberculosis;
- herpes infection of your eye;
- cataracts or glaucoma;
- a thyroid disorder;
- high blood pressure, heart failure, or heart attack;
- diabetes;
- osteoporosis, or low bone mineral density;
- diverticulitis, stomach or intestinal ulcer, or stomach surgery; or
- a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis.
Do not use triamcinolone if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby or cause birth defects. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are receiving this medicine.
It may not be safe to breast-feed a baby while you are using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risks.
How should I use Xipere
Use Xipere (Intravitreal) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Triamcinolone intravitreal will be injected into your eye by healthcare professional in a clinic setting. The doctor will use a medicine to numb your eye before giving you the injection.
After the injection, you will be watched closely for any swelling, inflammation, or increased pressure in your eye.
You will need frequent medical tests and eye exams.
Your doctor may instruct you to limit your salt intake, and you may need to take potassium supplements. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Steroid medicine can affect your immune system. You may get infections more easily. Steroids can also slow the healing of skin wounds. Use caution to prevent illness, infection, or injury.
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your injection.
Xipere side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- signs of eye infection--swelling, redness, severe discomfort, crusting or drainage;
- blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;
- unusual changes in mood or behavior;
- swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath;
- muscle pain or weakness;
- large red or purple spots on your skin;
- any wound that will not heal;
- increased thirst or urination;
- severe stomach pain, bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
- low potassium--leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, numbness or tingling, limp feeling; or
- signs of low adrenal gland hormones--flu-like symptoms, headache, weakness, tiredness, diarrhea, vomiting, craving salty foods, and feeling light-headed.
Triamcinolone can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while receiving this medicine.
Common side effects may include:
- blurred vision; or
- increased appetite.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect Xipere?
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chickenpox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using steroid medicine.
Do not receive a smallpox vaccine or any other "live" vaccine while using triamcinolone. The vaccine may not work as well and may not fully protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), and zoster (shingles).