Following a request from the Medicines Control Agency, the manufacturer of triamcinolone hexacetonide (Lederspan: Wyeth) has revised the data sheet. The section on pregnancy and lactation has been updated and includes information about the ability of triamcinolone to cross the placenta. The data sheet now states the following:

There may be an increased risk of intrauterine growth retardation if corticosteroids are administered for prolonged periods and that, in theory, hypoadrenalism may occur in the neonate.

When corticosteroids are essential, patients with normal pregnancies may be treated as though they are in the non-gravid state.

Corticosteroids may pass into breast milk, although no data are available for triamcinolone.

Infants of mothers taking high doses of systemic corticosteroids for prolonged periods may have a degree of adrenal suppression.

The section on adverse reactions has also been reviewed and calcinosis has been added.

Reference: The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol. 261, p. 1000, 19/26 December 1998.