Drug interactions
Phenytoin + Triamcinolone
Severity: Moderate
Phenytoin and Triamcinolone: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Phenytoin induces CYP3A4 and can lower corticosteroid concentrations, reducing the anti-inflammatory effect of triamcinolone.
What this interaction means in plain words
Phenytoin and Triamcinolone can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Phenytoin belongs to Central Nervous System; Triamcinolone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Induction of CYP3A4 by phenytoin increases triamcinolone clearance.
What to do
Monitor for reduced steroid response and increase the triamcinolone dose if needed. Reassess if phenytoin is stopped.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Triamcinolone
- Smallpox vaccine live + Triamcinolone Contraindicated
- Triamcinolone + Zoster vaccine live Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Triamcinolone Major
- Aldesleukin + Triamcinolone Major
- Atazanavir + Triamcinolone Major
- Axicabtagene ciloleucel + Triamcinolone Major
Other interactions of Phenytoin
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Bictegravir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Cabotegravir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Doravirine + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Elbasvir / grazoprevir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Phenytoin Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Phenytoin with Triamcinolone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Phenytoin and Triamcinolone can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Phenytoin induces CYP3A4 and can lower corticosteroid concentrations, reducing the anti-inflammatory effect of triamcinolone.
How serious is the interaction between Phenytoin and Triamcinolone?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for reduced steroid response and increase the triamcinolone dose if needed. Reassess if phenytoin is stopped.
What other medicines interact with Triamcinolone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Triamcinolone with, for example, Smallpox vaccine live, Zoster vaccine live, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live. The full list is on the Triamcinolone page.
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