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.


This information was written in November 2017, with expert advice from:
Jason Kielly, B.Sc. (pharm.), Pharm.D.
Assistant Professor, School of Pharmacy, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Clinical Pharmacist, Rheumatic Health Program, Eastern Health

This information was last updated in December 2021 by:
Alan Low, B.Sc. (pharm.), Pharm. D., ACPR, FCSHP, CCD, RPh
Clinical Associate Professor, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UBC
Co-Founder and Executive Director, Medicines Access Coalition – BC
​Primary Care Pharmacist, Vancouver

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