Steroid Injection

Drug Name
Steroid Injection

Brand Name(s)
Depo-medrol® (methylprednisolone), Kenalog® (triamcinolone), Aristospan® (triamcinolone), Celestone Soluspan® (betamethasone)

Drug Class
Corticosteroid

Steroid injections are used to help relieve the pain and swelling associated with many types of arthritic conditions, including both inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis. Injecting a steroid in or around the joint is an effective way to locally reduce pain and swelling. You may experience some pain at the injection site. This should go away on its own, but you can take analgesics (acetaminophen, ibuprofen) to help deal with the pain. 

This information was last updated in June 2024 with expert review and advice by:

Alan Low, BSc(Pharm), PharmD, ACPR, FCSHP, CCD, RPh
Clinical Professor, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia
Pharmacy Lead and Primary Care Pharmacist, BioPro Biologics Pharmacy 
Care Director, MedInfuse Health

Garrett Tang, PharmD, RPh
Pharmacist Services Coordinator, MedInfuse Health

We also thank previous expert contributor:

Jason Kielly, BSc(Pharm), PharmD
Assistant Professor, School of Pharmacy, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Clinical Pharmacist, Rheumatic Health Program, Eastern Health

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