Kenalog (triamcinolone acetonide) is a brand-name drug prescribed for certain inflammatory conditions in adults and some children. It is given as an injection by a healthcare professional. Dosage can vary depending on the condition the drug is treating.

Kenalog is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat certain inflammatory conditions in adults and children ages 1 month and older. A few examples include:

Kenalog belongs to a drug class called corticosteroids. Kenalog-40 is available in a generic version, while Kenalog-10 and Kenalog-80 are not.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Kenalog, including its strengths and how to receive the medication. For a comprehensive look at Kenalog, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Kenalog provided by the drug’s manufacturer. However, your doctor will prescribe the Kenalog dosage that’s right for you.

Below is information about Kenalog’s form, strengths, and dosages.

Kenalog form

Kenalog comes as a solution that’s given as an intramuscular injection, intra-articular injection (a shot given into a joint), or intralesional injection (a shot given directly into a skin lesion). Your doctor or another healthcare professional will administer your injections at your doctor’s office.

Kenalog strengths

Kenalog comes in three strengths:

  • 10 milligrams per milliliter of liquid suspension (mg/mL)
  • 40 mg/mL
  • 80 mg/mL

Typical dosages

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for certain joint conditions

Doctors may prescribe Kenalog to treat certain joint conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis. If your doctor prescribes Kenalog for a joint condition, they’ll inject it into the affected joint. Your dosage will depend on the size of the joint being treated.

Typically, you’ll receive a starting dose of 2.5 mg to 5 mg for smaller joints and 5 mg to 15 mg for larger joints. If your doctor recommends another injection, they may increase your dosage to 10 mg for smaller joints and up to 40 mg for larger joints.

Your doctor will determine your dosage and the number of injections needed to treat your condition.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Dosage for certain skin conditions

Kenalog is also approved to help treat certain skin conditions, such as discoid lupus. In this case, the recommended starting dosage of Kenalog varies depending on the severity of the condition and the number of injections being given. Your doctor may recommend weekly injections, depending on the condition being treated.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.

Dosage for certain digestive system conditions

Doctors also prescribe Kenalog to treat some digestive issues, such as Crohn’s disease.

For this use, the recommended starting dosage of Kenalog is 60 mg, given as an intramuscular injection into the buttocks. Your doctor will decide if you need additional doses based on your response. If they recommend another injection, the typical dosage range is 40 mg to 80 mg. In some cases, a dosage of 20 mg may be given.

Dosage for other inflammatory conditions

Kenalog is also prescribed to treat other inflammatory conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, temporal arteritis, and TB. You’ll receive Kenalog as an intramuscular injection in the buttocks. Your dosage will vary depending on the type and severity of the inflammatory condition being treated.

Children’s dosage

Kenalog is approved to treat many inflammatory conditions in children ages 1 month and older. It may be injected into the muscle, joint, or skin lesion.

The dosage varies depending on the condition being treated and is based on the child’s body weight in kilograms (kg). One kg equals about 2.2 pounds (lb). The typical starting dosage of Kenalog is 0.11 mg to 1.6 mg per kg per day, given as three or four divided doses.

For example, if your child weighs 70 lb (about 32 kg), their daily dosage will range from 3.5 mg to 51 mg, depending on their condition. Your child’s doctor will divide that amount into three or four separate injections given on one day.

Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.

How to receive Kenalog

Kenalog comes as a solution in a vial. Your doctor or another healthcare professional will inject it into the muscle, joint, or skin.

If you have questions about how to receive Kenalog, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Long-term treatment

Depending on your condition, Kenalog may be given as a short-term or long-term treatment. Your doctor will decide how many injections you need and how often you need to receive them.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how long you can expect to take Kenalog.

It’s important that you don’t use more Kenalog than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, using more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you use more than the recommended amount of Kenalog

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve used too much Kenalog. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency room.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.