Kenalog-40 User Reviews & Ratings

• Jam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 27, 2023

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was injected with Kenalog-40 in a large amount directly into my wrist at the Ulna. The medicine burned and stung as it was injected. It must have taken at least 5 minutes to inject. Following the injection, I experienced continuous soreness and pain. After lifting heavy objects, my hand and wrist swell and become very sore. After approximately 2 years of having the injection, my bones are now dense in my hand, and I was diagnosed with Dupuytren's contracture, not just because of the medicine, Kenalog-40, but because of the medicine being injected improperly directly into the joint at my wrist instead of injecting into a large muscle near the wrist."

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 21, 2023

For Chorioditis "This is the worst medication that I've taken. It destroyed my hormones and shortened my menstrual cycle to 16 days. Progesterone levels are so low. Horrible experience. Melted my tissue on the elbow and caused discoloration. I have a hole in the injected area. Think twice before getting the injection. I took 1 ml but was so destroyed."

• Mim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2023

For Bursitis "I have crow's feet tendonitis, and this med was bad. It didn’t help with my condition at all. I suddenly have hot flashes, insomnia, heart palpitations, chest pain, and dizziness. I also had hallucinations that I had fleas and scratched myself in the days after. It has affected my vision and speech."

• mim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 27, 2023

For Osteoarthritis "The second injection in the shoulder had completely different results. No shoulder pain, but it increases intercostal muscle pain, back pain, abdomen pain, and leg spasticity from multiple sclerosis. The doctor was unaware of these documented potential side effects and offered no help. Bad doctor, worse drug."

• Big...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2023

"Absolutely worthless and borderline dangerous. It’s been 3 weeks, still have ringing in my ears, my vision is blurry, and can’t seem to get through anything without being nauseous now and in constant pain. I spent almost 16 hours throwing up nothing with broken ribs, now I'm worse than before. The doctor told me that it only lasts 3-4 days after I got sick from it. But when they gave it to me, they said 3 weeks, and take with 800 mg ibuprofen. Constant burning in my stomach, ears ringing, headaches so bad I can’t seem to completely get rid of them, can’t get a deep breath and now coughing. I guess the doctors pat themselves on the back for not prescribing pain medication, even when it’s needed. I should have known when he just sort of guessed at my X-rays that I shouldn’t expect any help or relief. I wouldn't give this poison to anyone, and anyone who would doesn't care."

• Ken...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 5, 2023

For Frozen Shoulder "My doctor offered this shot as a miraculous and risk-free (except for some rare infections) solution for my minor shoulder pain. I took it like an idiot, trusting him. I got 80 mg in each shoulder. My shoulders do feel amazing. The range of motion is like I’ve never had before. But the sides have been debilitating. I am a month out. I really hope I will not be dealing with this long term. Here’s what I’ve had: - Insomnia (I slept no more than 2-3 hours for 3 whole weeks. It’s better now, but only just) - Acid Reflux (Never had that before. Severe. Lasted 2 weeks) - Acne from hell (No, really. My otherwise clear face, neck, chest, and back broke out in painful pustules that burned, and lots of them. Antifungals and antibiotics did not touch it. It is starting to clear after one month) - Huge spike in blood pressure (went from 100/60 to 150/85) - Myopathy (I am an athlete. My training has been wrecked. I am so much weaker than I was. This continues to deteriorate despite continued training)"

• Ann...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 20, 2022

For Allergic Reactions "I was diagnosed by my longtime physician. After he prescribed it, I began to have 'flu-like' symptoms the next day and called him. He said to stop taking it because it may cause my immune system to not work well. Keep in mind I had never had a cold or the flu. Six months ago, I was given an injection containing cortisone after plainly stating I was 'allergic' to cortisone. Health problems have ensued, and no one will listen to me! When I questioned this doctor, he stated that only one percent of the population suffered any allergic reaction. So he just 'rolled the dice,' and I am suffering because of it for the past six months."

• Lau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 10, 2022

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Definitely would not recommend. I thought it was just me who believed that Kenalog made me worse. Anxiety increased and face burning. I agree that doctors are oblivious to the fact that this medicine can give patients a very serious side effect."

• 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!!"

• Kyo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 17, 2022

For Inflammatory Conditions "This injection dex/Kenalog was the only treatment that worked for my severe atopic dermatitis; I would have preferred never taking this shot if I knew the side effects once I stopped. Let me give a timeline since I stopped: Month 3: Debilitating anxiety/sense of dread. Month 5: Sinus tachycardia when driving (unable to drive). Month 8: Anxiety/heart palpitations. Month 12: Manageable anxiety. The recovery from this drug is agonizing; the only peace I had while recovering was learning to accept my own mortality. I'm still recovering, and it might take another year to be 100%. Taking hydrocortisone 5 mg allows temporary relief from anxiety. Needless to say, I'll be rating this a 1."

• Tom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2022

For Gouty Arthritis "This is the worst treatment I have ever received. I have had mild hypertension over the years and actually had high pressure the day I received the shot for gout. The gout pain went away within hours, however, 2 days after I had an anxiety attack (which I thought was a heart attack) and ended up in the ER. I have had anxiety attacks at night, sleeplessness, heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat, fatigue, and dizziness. After about 3 1/2 weeks, the side effects have started to go away. If I could give this a 0 review, I would. I do not recommend."

• Dav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 3, 2022

For Frozen Shoulder "I have had nothing but a horrific experience with the Kenalog injection my doctor gave me. I asked him what the side effects were. All he said was I had never had a patient have any at all, that it is a safe injection which will help you. What this doctor did was not give patients a true and fair opinion, so should not be practicing medicine! All people should get a full opinion of the risks, period. Over 300 reviews I have read, almost all the patients claim the very same thing! Just one shot has given me life-changing side effects, and it’s almost been a year now. 1) Immediately I almost fell down. 2) Within 15 minutes, the left side of my face and ear was red hot. 3) Shortness of breathing, which still exists. 4) Nervous all the time. 5) Very strange growth in my abdomen, which no one has figured out yet. 6) Ear infection. 7) Extremely painful headaches. People, don’t ever let your doctor do this to you. My doctor lied to me."

• Tci...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2022

For Osteoarthritis "I had an injection of Kenalog 3 days ago in my left thumb joint at the base of my thumb. I am miserable, pain, swelling, redness up my arm, and burning itch and blisters. Some type of allergic reaction, which apparently is not common, however, I got this reaction. I’m scared since my symptoms are similar to a skin infection (cellulitis), so I just started antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory. Terrible drug. I was so happy to relieve my arthritis pain, and this has happened. How long until this drug is out of my system?"

• Sir...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 18, 2022

For Keloids "I have not got a solution yet. It is itching so much and is growing too. Please, I need help and a solution to it."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Jas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2021

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I'm a 24-year-old female and have had RA since I was 8 years old. I had an 80 mg IM injection in December, and within 24 hours, my face was red and burning. 5 months later, I am still suffering the horrible side effects of this. I constantly have hot flushes, nausea, irregular menstrual cycles, and unwanted hair growth. I have no idea if and when these symptoms will subside and completely regret taking it. With regard to my joint inflammation, it has eased the pain, but I still have residual swelling. My fatigue has also worsened since the injection."

• 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."

• 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."

• DKC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2020

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I had a shoulder injection for chronic pain. The next day, I went into horrible AFib, which lasted 10 days. Two days after the injection, I developed severe headaches with pain behind my left eye. Then, I got so fatigued and could not do anything. I'm still feeling bad 11 days after the injection. My doctor said these are all side effects of Kenalog. I would have refused the injection if I had known of these side effects. I have had other injections for lower back, etc., and never had this reaction."

• Kit...
• June 29, 2020

For Dermatitis "I would never recommend Kenalog. Went to doctor with chemical burns, and doctor gave me extended-release Kenalog injection after prednisone. I broke out in hives and welts. I had horrible, intensely frightening thoughts, anxiety, and depression for 18 months. Every day was a nightmare."

• 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."

• 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."

• pos...
• October 31, 2019

For Allergic Reactions "Worst drug EVER! I got the shot yesterday to help with a severe sinus infection I fought for 2 weeks. I expected jitters, BUT was never warned about dizziness; the muscles in each of my arms ache, I can't even put one arm above my shoulder; my throat is tight (I could still breathe, but swallowing was difficult). I woke up at 3 a.m. with my chest having full convulsions--like my upper body was on a paint shaker. Lasted 30 seconds. I almost went to the ER, BUT I knew they wouldn't be able to do anything. I called the doctor this morning...and she said to take some Benadryl today and let them know tomorrow if it helped. I'm not sure what the course of action will be if it doesn't. I'm tempted to take some activated charcoal, but that will lessen the effects of my antibiotic; so I just don't know what to do. They said it's a slow-release one, so it'll be in my system for WEEKS! Weeks on Benadryl is no way to live. I can't take the throat and chest tightness for weeks. So fingers crossed Benadryl does the job."