Kenalog-40 User Reviews & Ratings

• Los...
• May 17, 2018

For Bursitis "Since getting Kenalog-40 injection for hip bursitis a little under 2 months ago, I've had worsening symptoms and they are awful. First, I developed terrible acid reflux that left a constant burning in my throat. Then I developed gastritis. I had no appetite and couldn't eat, also diarrhea for weeks and lost 15 pounds in 3 weeks. Anxiety started shortly after the throat burning and hot and cold sweats, racing heart, lightheaded. It's all gotten worse as the weeks have gone by. I have horrible insomnia, racing heart, sometimes palpitations, my vision is blurred. I have terrible anxiety and now some depression. I can't even drive now, I feel so out of it most of the time. And it is affecting me cognitively, I have trouble focusing and making decisions. Oh, and my hair is falling out in clumps. I've had every test possible by my doctor, and everything is normal. Kenalog-40 injection has ruined my life. And I have no idea how long it will last. I'm terrified."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2020

For Osteoarthritis "This is the first and last time using this injection. I'm 8 weeks in and still having panic attacks, insomnia, increased hunger, and anxiety. How long does this last? Please avoid at all costs, you will regret it."

• gin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 27, 2019

For Inflammatory Conditions "I had a shot of Kenalog put in each SI joint. He said he put a total of 30 on 8/6/19. They never told me about any side effects, and I've been miserable ever since. Severe fatigue, shortness of breath, very bad anxiety, weak, depressed, and it hasn't gotten any better. It also messed up my thyroid medication. I have no thyroid, and now it's very low, which is making things worse. I wish someone could tell me how long these side effects last. It will be 2 months on the 6th of October, and I'm not better. These shots have ruined my life, and now they told me to never get another one, which I would never. I just want my life back. Could someone tell me how long it will take these side effects to go away? Thank you."

• Nan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2022

For Osteoarthritis "I had a Kenalog 80 injection in my cervical spine on 7/29/22. Thirteen days later, severe internal shakiness and tremor (which is the worst side effect of all, in my opinion). It is worse than anxiety, and it is never-ending all day long. Abnormal uterine bleeding for six weeks until the gyno put me on meds to stop the bleeding because I became anemic and had to have an iron infusion. Palpitations, shortness of breath, terrible indigestion, my legs and arms feel heavy all the time, multiple daily hot flushes, and I ended up in the ER. Oh, did I mention the internal shaking that is relentless, and Xanax didn't even help them? It is 2 1/2 months since the injection, and the side effects are still awful. I had to take time off of work. I've seen eight different doctors to no avail. No one can help. Beware!!"

• Mel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 28, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was suffering with rheumatoid arthritis, and my quality of life was non-existent. I was hopeless. My thigh area and my groin area would burn and feel as if they would snap. I couldn't do anything. Pain management could care less about a person's pain anymore. I was in pain management for 8 years. An orthopedic surgeon checked me out, suggested the injection of Kenalog-40, and I have a life now. It's as different as night and day. I had a reaction right after the injection. Felt faint. Broke out in a sweat. It passed. I took some water. I was fine. I have such relief, FINALLY. I hope my pain doesn't return. I'm worried about that because it pained me so much. But right now, 3 weeks later, I'm way good!!!"

• MT ...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 12, 2022

For Frozen Shoulder "Excellent at getting rid of the pain and restoring range of motion in my frozen shoulder, but horrible systemic side effects in the rest of my body. The first immediate side effect was an adrenaline rush that kept me on edge and wide awake for three nights after the injection. After a week, my sleep returned to normal, however, then the hormonal side effects began. I would have strings of unusual rapid-fire hot flashes one after the other. Those lasted about two months and then tapered off. I also stopped getting a period for six months. There is plenty of research online showing that Kenalog-40 injections can mess with your “HPA Axis,” which are your hormone, pituitary, and adrenal systems. Unfortunately, I had to learn that on my own after the side effects started. Absolutely none of this was mentioned by the (male) doctor who recommended and did the injection. People should be forewarned, and the possible side effects explained in advance. I will never take this drug again."

• Sca...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 9, 2018

For Osteoarthritis "Do not get this injection! I got mine about 6 1/2 weeks ago. The first week was okay, no side effects, but no pain relief either. Side effects for me started at week 2 and are still going. Burning mouth/throat, worse anxiety than I already had, extreme nausea, no appetite. I’ve lost 8 lbs, and I cannot afford to lose weight. I’m terrified how long this will go on."

• WOR...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 2, 2021

For Osteoarthritis "I should have read the reviews before getting an injection of Kenalog in my knee. Almost immediately, I started feeling dizzy, and as the day and night went on, my heart started racing. I haven’t slept for one minute. I have extreme anxiety, and my blood pressure shot up to 159/95 with a pulse of 95, and that is even on my blood pressure medicine. I had the worst heartburn and just feel dread. I am hoping these side effects subside over the next few days, but the reviews say not. Also, it has made my asthma a lot worse over the last 24 hours. This is the second injection I have gotten, and I said I would never do it again, but this time I mean it. It never did help my pain, what a waste."

• Jay...
• March 9, 2015

For Allergic Rhinitis "I've had spring allergies as far back as I can remember. I get severe sinus pressure, lose focus, lose energy, etc. The inflammation in my body makes my blood feel like it's on fire. I get a Kenalog shot 1-2 times every spring and it has been more effective than anything I've ever used in my life. The world comes into focus and my body feels like it comes back to life throughout the course of the day that I get it. Usually lasts 3-4 months for me and works wonders in my life."

• H-M...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 25, 2019

For Frozen Shoulder "If I could give this zero stars, I would. I have been dealing with shoulder pain for 5 years. And I have been to as many different doctors. This past week, I visited an orthopedist, and he told me I have shoulder impingement syndrome. He told me I could have Kenalog shots every 3 months or have a surgical procedure. So I took the initial injection, and I have regretted ever allowing this in my body. The next day, my face was red, hot, and burning. I started crying for no reason and having hysterical thoughts. Dizzy, confused, elevated blood pressure, anger. My pain level skyrocketed within the first two days and is now at the level it was before the shot. Was NOT worth it. I wasn’t informed of the side effects, and when I called the doctor, they basically told me that this happens to less than 10 percent of patients, but I have read so many stories like mine. DON’T allow your doctor to give you this if you haven’t already. Just awful stuff."

• Che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 3, 2018

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Worse drug I have ever had. I was given a Kenalog injection for arthritis and fibromyalgia. I immediately had my blood pressure go off the chart and developed a rash and rapid heartbeat. I also had trouble breathing and problems with my eyesight. I now have a permanent heart problem. I do NOT recommend this drug for anyone!"

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 21, 2019

For Lupus "Horrible injection, side effects worse than prednisone except you can't make it stop because it lasts at least 3 to 4 weeks after injection. My dermatologist pressured me to get this shot for my inflamed skin, but he did not tell me it would make me so sick with nausea, vomiting, and vertigo that I would not be able to function. Almost a month has gone by, and I am still sick as anything from Kenalog. I will never let a doctor do this to me again! This drug is awful! It makes me thankful for the lupus!"

• Mes...
• August 30, 2021

For Allergic Rhinitis "I wish I had never let the NP give me this injection! It messed with my hormones and gave me terrible anxiety, and I felt like I had a bad UTI! I went in to see my doctor because I was tired of suffering from sinus pain and hay fever. It was discovered that I didn’t have a sinus infection, so I was recommended to get the Kenalog 40 mg. I started to feel better from the sinus and hay fever, but boy, I am paying the price for that temporary relief! About a week after the injection, I have had postmenopausal vaginal bleeding, cystitis, and gastritis. I was sent over to get a pelvic ultrasound. Those results determined that my cervix was a little thick, and now I’m going to see my gynecologist. I should have been warned of the side effects of this. It was a bad call for them to recommend this to me, being that I already have high blood pressure and osteopenia. I know that some side effects are rare, but you still should have a choice to be told before you take the shot."

• Jim...
• July 11, 2013

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have had rheumatoid arthritis now for about 4 years, mainly in my neck and shoulders. I'm a schoolteacher, and it would be excruciating to raise my arms to write on the board. I'm also a musician with allergies. A year ago last spring, I decided to get an allergy shot to reduce my allergy symptoms before a performance and was astonished to experience that my rheumatoid arthritis pain literally left my body. I didn't attribute the regression to the Kenalog, but while talking to my doctor, she made the relationship. The Kenalog shot for allergies was supposed to be good for a year. A year later, my arthritis started to seep back into my neck and shoulders. I went back to the same allergy doctor and got exactly the same shot, and my rheumatoid arthritis symptoms left again. My life has changed tremendously."

• Sal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 1, 2019

For Bursitis "Have had sciatica/spinal stenosis and herniated discs on MRI. Constant pain, felt like lightning in my left leg, tingling all the time, and felt like hot liquid running down my leg. Seen an ortho doctor, and he suggested Kenalog injections to treat what he thought was bursitis in the hip and also sciatica. Went on a Tuesday and got 2 injections in the hip/butt area. Was pain-free since the injections. Have small amounts of tingling below the knee if I overdo things. Friday was the first time in years that I could actually walk through the grocery store and not have to leave due to unbearable pain. This drug is just amazing to me. I have had no side effects from the injection. Only been 5 days, but hopefully it will last for a while and that I can avoid surgery. I feel so thankful. I highly recommend anyone trying Kenalog, it seems like a blessing for me."

• Lif...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 23, 2019

For Inflammatory Conditions "To all the people who have had one injection and love being pain-free, BEWARE. I have permanent damage from the injections and will take the pain over the awful side effects. It’s a roller coaster. The more injections, the more permanent damage. I have permanent indentations in both buttocks that affect my sitting, injection site burns, itches, hurts, and it’s been six months since the last one, sweat constantly, sleep is rare, NEVER AGAIN. They hook you on the feel-good for a while and damage you more over time."

• Hel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 16, 2017

For Osteoarthritis "Had an injection into my knee due to osteoarthritis. I am scheduled for knee replacement, but there is a 1-year wait for surgery. Before the injection, I could not sleep due to throbbing pain, and after the injection, this is gone. My overall pain is significantly reduced. I had no adverse reaction to the drug."

• All...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 11, 2023

For Allergic Rhinitis "I am nearly 70 years old. I find the allergy relief liberating. It allows me to live my life with freedom. The alternative is to take traditional meds and never go outside. I have been using it my entire adult life."

• PET...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 25, 2020

For Allergic Rhinitis "In 2013, I got a Kenalog-40 injection in my left glute to treat severe chronic hay fever. I just got one shot. One month later, my hair started falling out excessively. I have lost 90 percent of my hair, and my eyebrows are practically gone. I had super thick, healthy hair and 'Brooke Shields' thick eyebrows. This is the scariest, most depressing situation. My menstrual cycle is erratic with excessive bleeding. I have spent thousands of dollars on endocrinologists and hormone specialists to treat this sudden hair shedding/loss caused by this drug. It has ruined my life."

• Sty...
• September 2, 2015

For Osteoarthritis "No one warned me that there were any side effects to worry about. I was given 2 injections into my left hip of Kenalog-40. Later, the first evening, my face was hot and turned scarlet red. The red swelling went into my right eye and felt like sand. Then I started getting dizzy. My blood pressure was off the charts, and my blood sugar doubled! I had to lay down, and all I did was sweat. I thought I was having a heart attack! The next day, the facial rash was better, but the dizziness turned into violent shaking! When sitting very still, it felt like my whole body was on top of a paint shaker. I got horrible diarrhea that lasted for days. My OLP flared into a bloody mess. It took 12 to 15 weeks to even feel kind of normal again."

• Bel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2021

For Allergic Reactions "The night I had my first and only injection, I had horrible night sweats. For the next week, my face has felt hot, and I've been hotter than normal when sleeping. My menstrual cycle is also completely screwed up. I'm 37, not pregnant, and am now dealing with what I would imagine hot flashes and night sweats to be and the erratic periods I had as a teenager. If I would have known the side effects, I wouldn't have allowed my doctor to inject me with this drug. I can only hope this gets out of my system ASAP."

• Fox...
• August 29, 2019

"Have terrible problems with boils and cysts on my armpits (Hidradenitis Suppurativa). Went to a dermatologist who gave me an injection under my left arm. It's been 3 days, and I have been having trouble with heart palpitations, strong beats, and also sometimes feels like a slow heart rate. It's making me feel like something is wrong with my heart! It's actually quite scary. I'm also having issues with nausea and increased anxiety. How long does this stuff last in your system??? I don't like this at all!"

• Anonymous
• June 11, 2008

For Allergic Rhinitis "I had such a severe reaction to my hay fever, I ended up in the hospital. When I left, I was given the Kenalog-40 injection, and I had a summer like never before. I was able to go outside and enjoy myself."

• Ben...
• September 29, 2011

For Allergic Rhinitis "After years of suffering through allergies (year-round, anything in bloom, grass, trees, etc.), my doctor gave me a shot of Kenalog-40. The shot lasts for 6-10 weeks and has relieved all symptoms. I want to make sure that I don't overuse it (as all other allergy medicine I build a tolerance to, and then it fails to work)."

• Bel...
• December 7, 2015

For Lupus "I had strained pretty much my entire body making changes in an old chest. My whole body seemed to hurt constantly, and my hands were essentially unmoving and stiff. With an on-and-off Dx of SLE, I went to a rheumatologist. He injected once in the hip with Kenalog 40. By the next day, I felt as though I were a good 20 years younger, with no pain to speak of anywhere in my body. My hands and feet were no longer swollen: ring size went from 9 to 8, and I had to take up all shoe buckles at least one hole. My hands had more flexibility and strength than I had had in years. There were no negative side effects. It's been 6 months, and I continue with the flexibility, etc., that I had from the beginning. This Kenalog 40 is great stuff!!"