What is Zilretta?

Zilretta® (triamcinolone acetonide extended-release injectable suspension) is an extended-release corticosteroid approved to manage osteoarthritis knee pain. Zilretta is the first and only FDA-approved treatment for osteoarthritis knee pain to use extended-release microsphere technology.  Zilretta injections can give long lasting relief for knee pain lasting 4-6 months, much longer than standard steroid injections.

Who should receive Zilretta?

Patients with early to late osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee should consider treatment with Zilretta. Many patients have OA knee pain relief for 3-4 months! Zilretta has been very beneficial in providing OA knee pain relief until it is convenient for patients to schedule a knee replacement. Do you have a vacation planned or is it going to be a few months before you can slip away from work? Zilretta can provide relief until you are ready for total knee arthroplasty, or while other conservative treatments become effective.

Even though Zilretta is a type of corticosteroid, in a small clinical trial of people with osteoarthritis of the knee and Type 2 diabetes, minimal elevation in their blood glucose levels was experienced after treatment with Zilretta.  It is advised to watch for this effect.

Who should not receive Zilretta?

You should not receive a Zilretta injection if you are allergic to corticosteroids, triamcinolone acetonide or any other component of the product. 

In multiple clinical trials, the most common side effects seen in people taking Zilretta were headache, joint swelling, back pain, sore throat and runny nose, upper respiratory tract infection, and bruising. These clinical findings are a low percentage of cases.

Tell your doctor about all of the medications you are taking (including both prescription and over-the-counter medicines) and about any medical conditions, especially if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, ulcers, diverticulitis or other gastrointestinal disorders, kidney problems, diabetes, glaucoma, behavior or mood disorders, and/or infections.

Not all insurance companies cover the cost of Zilretta Injections; consult your healthcare provider for insurance requirements and coverage.  In some instances, pre-certification is required to get insurance to allow for its use.  If you are interested in getting a Zilretta injection, please let your healthcare provider know when you are setting up your appointment so prior authorization may be completed before you arrive.

It is very well noted that most patients receiving the injections get significant relief allowing other conservative treatments to become effective and, in some cases, allow time to prepare the family, work, and general life for upcoming surgical intervention.