The topical corticosteroids constitute a class of primarily synthetic steroids used as anti-inflammatory and antipruritic agents. Triamcinolone acetonide is a member of this class. Chemically triamcinolone acetonide is pregna-1, 4-diene-3, 20-dione, 9-flouro-11, 21-dihydroxy-16, 17-[(1-methylethylidene)bis(oxy)]-(11β16a). Its structural formula is:
Each gram of triamcinolone acetonide cream contains 1 mg triamcinolone acetonide USP in a cream base consisting of purified water, emulsifying wax, mineral oil, propylene glycol, sorbitol solution, cetyl palmitate, sorbic acid, and potassium sorbate.