Parenteral triamcinolone acetonide: an alternative corticosteroid for the treatment of asthma.

Corticosteroids are effective in reducing the airway inflammation and controlling the symptoms of asthma. Many patients with chronic, severe asthma are steroid-dependent, requiring daily oral corticosteroids. Although corticosteroids may be effective, many patients suffer from their intolerable side effects. Various medications have been used as steroid-sparing agents in patients who suffer from the side effects of long-term high-dose steroids. While drugs like methotrexate and cyclosporine are promising, none have clearly been shown to be beneficial in most patients with asthma. The long-acting parenteral steroid triamcinolone acetonide has been tested by various investigators in these patients for over 20 years. Intramuscular triamcinolone appears to beneficial, with no significant increase in adverse effects.