Comprehensive medication guide to Kenalog including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$30 copay for generic triamcinolone when covered under pharmacy benefit; Tier 1 on most plans. Injectable forms administered in a physician's office are typically billed to medical benefit (Part B for Medicare), with 20% coinsurance after meeting the deductible — often $0–$30 for the drug component.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$11–$80 cash for generic triamcinolone acetonide 40 mg/mL injection (1 mL vial) at retail pharmacies; brand Kenalog-40 runs $14–$80+. Topical triamcinolone cream (0.1%, 15g) costs $7–$24 cash, or as low as $3 with GoodRx or SingleCare. Injectable forms are usually billed to medical insurance when administered in a clinical setting.
Medfinder Findability Score
35/100
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Kenalog is the brand name for triamcinolone acetonide, a synthetic glucocorticoid (corticosteroid) manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb. FDA-approved since 1965, it is one of the most widely used injectable corticosteroids in the United States. Kenalog is available in three injectable strengths — Kenalog-10 (10 mg/mL), Kenalog-40 (40 mg/mL), and Kenalog-80 (80 mg/mL) — as well as topical creams, ointments, and dental paste.
Kenalog is used to treat a broad range of inflammatory and allergic conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout flares, bursitis, tendinitis, eczema, psoriasis, alopecia areata, keloids, severe allergic reactions, asthma exacerbations, multiple sclerosis flares, and lupus. Because it can be injected directly into a joint or skin lesion, it provides targeted, long-lasting relief — often for 4–8 weeks from a single injection.
Generic triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension (40 mg/mL) is available from multiple manufacturers. As of 2025–2026, the drug is experiencing an active multi-manufacturer shortage per the ASHP Drug Shortage Database.
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Kenalog (triamcinolone acetonide) is a synthetic glucocorticoid — a modified form of cortisol, the hormone your adrenal glands naturally produce. It is approximately 5 times more potent than hydrocortisone on an anti-inflammatory basis.
After injection, triamcinolone acetonide passes through cell membranes and binds to glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) inside cells. The drug-receptor complex travels into the cell nucleus, where it alters gene expression — turning on genes that produce anti-inflammatory proteins and turning off genes that produce inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandins, cytokines (TNF-alpha, interleukins), and histamine. It also suppresses immune cell activity (neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes) and reduces capillary permeability, decreasing swelling.
Kenalog is a particulate suspension — the drug crystals dissolve slowly at the injection site, providing a sustained "depot" release of medication over 4–8 weeks. This long-acting property makes it far more useful than short-acting corticosteroids for most joint and tissue injection indications.
10 mg/mL — injectable suspension
Kenalog-10. For intra-articular and intralesional use only. Not for IM administration.
40 mg/mL — injectable suspension
Kenalog-40. For IM and intra-articular use. Generic available. Most common formulation.
80 mg/mL — injectable suspension
Kenalog-80. For IM and intra-articular use requiring higher doses.
0.025%, 0.1%, 0.5% — topical cream/ointment
For skin conditions: eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis. Applied directly to affected area.
0.1% — dental paste
For inflammatory lesions of the oral mucosa and mouth ulcers.
As of 2025–2026, Kenalog (triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension) is in an active shortage listed by the ASHP Drug Shortage Database. Multiple manufacturers are simultaneously affected: Eugia discontinued their formulations in mid-2025; Hikma, Teva, and Amneal have product on allocation to contracted customers only; Viatris and Long Grove have product on back order with estimated releases in mid-2026.
medfinder rates Kenalog's findability at 35 out of 100, indicating widespread difficulty locating the drug at retail and specialty pharmacies. The 40 mg/mL injectable formulation is most affected. Topical triamcinolone acetonide cream remains more broadly available.
If you're having trouble finding Kenalog at your pharmacy, medfinder can help. Enter your medication, strength, and location — medfinder contacts pharmacies near you and texts you the results.
Kenalog (triamcinolone acetonide) is not a controlled substance and has no DEA scheduling requirements. Any licensed prescriber with prescribing authority can prescribe it. Because it must be administered by injection, it is primarily prescribed and administered in clinical settings by:
Rheumatologists (for arthritis, gout, and autoimmune conditions)
Orthopedic surgeons (for joint and soft tissue injections)
Dermatologists (for skin conditions, intralesional injections)
Allergists/Immunologists (for severe allergy and asthma management)
Pain management physicians (for musculoskeletal injections)
Primary care physicians and family medicine doctors (for common conditions like bursitis, tendinitis, gout)
Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) with prescribing authority
Because Kenalog must be injected in a clinical setting, telehealth cannot provide the injection directly. However, telehealth providers can write a prescription for a patient to take to a local clinic for administration, or prescribe oral steroids as a bridge treatment while arranging an in-person injection appointment.
No. Kenalog (triamcinolone acetonide) is not a controlled substance and has no DEA scheduling. It is classified as a corticosteroid and can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider — including primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and all relevant specialists — without special DEA controlled substance prescribing authority.
There are no special federal prescription requirements beyond a standard written or electronic prescription. Refills are permitted under standard prescription rules. There are no quantity limits mandated at the federal level, though individual insurance plans may impose quantity limits for prior authorization or step therapy requirements.
Injection site pain, redness, or bruising (temporary)
Facial flushing (temporary warmth and redness)
Elevated blood sugar (especially in diabetics)
Increased appetite and temporary weight gain
Insomnia and mood changes (irritability, energy increase)
Fluid retention and mild blood pressure increase
Signs of infection at injection site (increasing redness, swelling, fever, pus — possible septic arthritis)
Allergic reaction or anaphylaxis (hives, difficulty breathing, facial swelling)
Vision changes or eye pain (elevated intraocular pressure, glaucoma)
Signs of systemic infection (high fever, chills, severe body aches)
Severe psychiatric symptoms (confusion, hallucinations, severe depression)
With long-term use: skin thinning, easy bruising, Cushing's syndrome, osteoporosis, cataracts, HPA axis suppression
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Depo-Medrol (methylprednisolone acetate)
Best overall substitute for most Kenalog indications. Equivalent anti-inflammatory potency (4 mg methylprednisolone ≈ 4 mg triamcinolone). Does not contain benzyl alcohol. Generally more available during the 2026 shortage.
Celestone Soluspan (betamethasone)
Long-acting injectable corticosteroid for joint and soft tissue injections. Slightly higher potency per mg; dose adjustment required when switching from triamcinolone.
Aristospan (triamcinolone hexacetonide)
Direct triamcinolone alternative with longer intra-articular duration. Preferred by some rheumatologists for large joint injections. Also experiencing shortage issues; check availability.
Dexamethasone
Non-particulate corticosteroid. Shorter duration of action. Preferred when particulate steroids are contraindicated. Widely available and low cost.
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CYP3A4 inhibitors (ritonavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, clarithromycin)
majorIncrease triamcinolone plasma levels, leading to risk of Cushing's syndrome and adrenal suppression.
Live vaccines (MMR, varicella, yellow fever)
majorContraindicated during systemic corticosteroid therapy; reduced vaccine efficacy and risk of vaccine-strain infection.
Mifepristone
majorBlocks glucocorticoid receptors; may reduce Kenalog efficacy and risk adrenal crisis in corticosteroid-dependent patients.
NSAIDs and aspirin
moderateIncreased risk of GI ulcers and bleeding when combined with corticosteroids.
Warfarin and oral anticoagulants
moderateCorticosteroids may alter anticoagulant effect; monitor INR frequently after injection.
Insulin and diabetes medications
moderateKenalog raises blood glucose; may require temporary dose adjustment of diabetes medications.
Cyclosporine
moderateIncreased activity of both drugs; monitor for enhanced toxicity.
Digoxin
moderateCorticosteroid-induced hypokalemia increases risk of digitalis toxicity and arrhythmia.
Kenalog (triamcinolone acetonide) has been a cornerstone of anti-inflammatory treatment in the U.S. for over 60 years. Its long-acting depot formulation, wide range of indications, and established safety profile make it one of the most versatile injectable corticosteroids available. When it's accessible, it provides significant relief for millions of patients managing arthritis, skin conditions, allergic disorders, and more.
The 2025–2026 shortage has been a significant disruption, driven by manufacturer exits and allocation constraints across multiple producers simultaneously. Patients and providers should be aware that effective alternatives — particularly methylprednisolone acetate (Depo-Medrol) — are available and well-validated for most Kenalog indications.
If you are having trouble finding Kenalog or generic triamcinolone acetonide at a pharmacy near you, medfinder can call pharmacies near you to find out which ones can fill your prescription and text you the results.
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