Can kenalog injections be administered while on Accutane?

Question

I’m 7 months post primary rhinoplasty. I still have quite a bit of swelling, and my surgeon said he might give me a kenalog injection in 5 months to help with the swelling. However, I just started taking Accutane for my skin and will be on it for 8-12 months. Could I still get the kenalog injection even though I’m on Accutane? Would Accutane affect the efficacy or safety of kenalog injections?

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

Depending on your condition, Accutane may help with some swelling in your nasal skin, especially if it is thick. If you still require a steroid injection after commencing Accutane, discuss the feasibility of this with your dermatologist. I hope this helps. Sincerely, Dr. Joseph

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Hello,
Kenalog (triamcinolone acetonide) injections are a type of corticosteroid used to reduce inflammation and swelling. Accutane (isotretinoin) is a powerful medication commonly used to treat severe acne.

Combining these treatments is generally considered safe, but there are a few important considerations:

Consult Your Doctor: Always consult with your healthcare provider or dermatologist before starting or combining treatments. They will be able to assess your individual health needs and any potential interactions or concerns.

Accutane Considerations: Accutane can cause dryness and sensitivity in the skin, so it's important to be cautious with other treatments that might affect the skin. Corticosteroid injections, like Kenalog, may have localized effects that could impact healing or cause additional dryness.

Infection Risk: Both Accutane and corticosteroid injections can affect skin healing and immune responses. Your doctor will evaluate the risk of infection or other complications based on your skin condition and treatment regimen.

Treatment Timing: If you're currently on Accutane and your doctor prescribes Kenalog injections, they may suggest waiting until the Accutane has had some effect or has been adjusted, depending on your specific circumstances.

Side Effects: Both treatments have potential side effects, and combining them requires careful management. Be sure to report any unusual symptoms or concerns to your healthcare provider.

Ultimately, your healthcare provider will provide the best advice on managing and combining treatments based on your individual situation.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

I question if the number of steroid injections given after rhinoplasty is justified or if this is just a way to appease patients who are nitpicking results after surgery.
We generally don’t recommend doing surgery while patients are an Accutane. Steroid injection should probably not be too much of an issue, but steroid injections do come with potential serious potential side effects so both patients and providers should be using good judgment and only go to steroid injections when it’s truly indicated. Typically the outcome of a plastic surgery procedure is determined when the last suture has been placed. It is rare that postoperative manipulation has real impact on surgical outcomes.
The biggest risk to steroid injections is a rare, but highly devastating complication called fat, atrophy.
When fat atrophy happens, it can be devastating.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

Can kenalog injections be administered while on Accutane?

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Can kenalog injections be administered while on Accutane?

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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