Uses of undefined

Trientine hydrochloride is an orally available prescription drug. It is a copper chelator used to treat adult patients with stable Wilson’s disease who cannot tolerate any medicine used to treat the disease.

undefined Drug administaration and Dosage available

It is an orally available drug. The medicine is available in 250mg and 333mg capsules. Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of Trientine hydrochloride based on the disease condition and other factors. Always take this medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Swallow the capsules with water on an empty stomach (at least one hour before meals or two hours after meals, and at least one hour apart from any other medicines, food, or milk.) Do not break, chew, crush, or break the capsules.

Warnings, Precautions and Side Effects of undefined

Warnings

This medicine may cause low blood counts of red blood cells.  Your doctor may advise you to take blood tests before and every month during the treatment. Trientine hydrochloride, on long-term use, may cause copper deficiency. This medicine may cause severe hypersensitivity reactions. Inform your physician immediately if you face any symptoms, such as skin rashes, breathing difficulties, chest pain, cough, or swelling in the face and body after taking the medicine. 

Precautions

Inform your physician if you have kidney or liver problems, breathing problems, dermatitis (red and itchy skin), and anemia. Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to Trientine Hydrochloride or any other ingredients in this medicine. Inform your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, nutritional and vitamin supplements, and herbal products. Certain medications may interact with Trientine hydrochloride and reduce its effectiveness by causing undesirable side effects. Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding because this medicine may cause harm to the baby.

Side Effects

The common side effects of Trientine hydrochloride are abdominal pain, change of bowel movements, rash, alopecia, mood swings, difficulty in moving, and muscle pain. Other serious side effects are iron deficiency anemia and severe skin reactions.

Word Of Advice

Store this Trientine hydrochloride at room temperature 20°C to 25°C. Keep the medicine out of reach of children and pets. If you forgot to take the capsule, take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. Avoid concomitant use of mineral supplements like iron, zinc, calcium, and magnesium. Consult your physician before taking any vitamin or mineral supplements.

Take this medicine at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking iron supplements or 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking other supplements like calcium, magnesium, or zinc. This medicine may cause copper or iron deficiency. Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Do not stop taking this medicine without talking to your doctor. Your doctor may do lab tests to check the therapy's effectiveness or monitor the unwanted side effects.

Frequently Asked Question

• Can I receive vaccination while taking Trientine hydrochloride?
• Limited data is available on vaccination use during trientine hydrochloride therapy. Consult your doctor before receiving any vaccines. 

• What is the difference between trientine hydrochloride and penicillamine?
• Penicillamine is used therapeutically to re-establish copper balance, trientine is indicated for patients with penicillamine intolerance. Your doctor will decide which medicine works best for you.

• Can I take vitamin or mineral supplements with Trientine hydrochloride?
• Avoid taking supplements concomitantly with Trientine hydrochloride. Take this medicine at least 2 hours before or after taking vitamin or mineral supplements.

• Will Trientine hydrochloride increase the body temperature?
• The patient should check their body temperature each night during the first month of therapy and report the occurrence of fever.

• What is trientine hydrochloride used to treat?
• Trientine hydrochloride is an orally available copper-chelating agent that is used to treat Wilson disease, an inherited abnormality of copper metabolism that leads to excess copper accumulation and injury to the liver and brain.