Generic Name: trientine (TRYE en teen)
Brand Names: Syprine
What is trientine?
Trientine is a chelating (KEE-late-ing) agent. A chelating agent is capable of removing a heavy metal, such as lead, mercury, or copper, from the blood.
Trientine is used to treat Wilson's disease in people who cannot take penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen).
Wilson's disease is a genetic metabolic defect that causes excess copper to build up in the body.
Trientine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about trientine?
Before using trientine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have rheumatoid arthritis, a kidney or bladder condition called cystinuria, or a liver condition called biliary cirrhosis.
Take the trientine capsule with water. Do not take trientine with milk. Take trientine on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating a meal or snack or taking any other medicines. Do not chew or open a trientine capsule. Swallow the pill whole.
Do not use a capsule that has been accidentally broken. The medicine from a broken capsule can be dangerous if it gets on your skin. If skin contact occurs, rinse the area thoroughly with plain water. Watch for signs of skin irritation and call your doctor if you develop a rash.
You may need to take your temperature every night for at least the first month of treatment with trientine. Call your doctor if you have a fever.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking trientine?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to trientine.
Before using trientine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
rheumatoid arthritis;
a kidney or bladder condition called cystinuria; or
a liver condition called biliary cirrhosis.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need dose adjustments or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether trientine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take trientine?
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take the trientine capsule with water. Do not take trientine with milk. Take trientine on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating a meal or snack or taking any other medicines.
Trientine is usually taken 2 to 4 times each day. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Do not chew or open a trientine capsule. Swallow the pill whole.
Do not use a capsule that has been accidentally broken. The medicine from a broken capsule can be dangerous if it gets on your skin. If skin contact occurs, rinse the area thoroughly with plain water. Watch for signs of skin irritation and call your doctor if you develop a rash.
You may need to take your temperature every night for at least the first month of treatment with trientine. Call your doctor if you have a fever.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested often. Your iron levels will also be checked to make sure they don't get too low. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Store this medication in the refrigerator and do not allow it to freeze.
See also: Trientine dosage (in more detail)
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
A trientine overdose is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.
What should I avoid while taking trientine?
Avoid eating, drinking milk, or taking other medications within 1 hour before or after taking trientine.
Do not take any vitamins or mineral supplements unless your doctor tells you to. You may occasionally need to take an iron supplement, but follow your doctor's instructions.
Trientine side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
cough, trouble breathing;
pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, weakness;
tired feeling, muscle or joint pain, swollen glands;
seizure (convulsions);
muscle weakness, dropping eyelids, double vision; or
problems with speech, balance, walking, lifting, chewing, or swallowing;
Less serious side effects include:
skin rash;
muscle spasm or contractions;
heartburn;
stomach pain;
loss of appetite; or
skin flaking, cracking, or thickening;
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Trientine Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Wilson's Disease:
Initial dose: 750 to 1250 mg orally per day, on an empty stomach, in 2 to 4 equally divided doses.
Maximum dose: 2000 mg orally per day.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Wilson's Disease:
Initial dose (age 12 or under): 500 to 750 mg orally, on an empty stomach, in 2 to 4 equally divided doses.
Maximum dose (age 12 or under): 1500 mg orally per day.
What other drugs will affect trientine?
There may be other drugs that can interact with trientine. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
More trientine resources
- Trientine Side Effects (in more detail)
- Trientine Dosage
- Trientine Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Trientine Drug Interactions
- Trientine Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Trientine - Add your own review/rating
- trientine Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Trientine MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Syprine Prescribing Information (FDA)
Compare trientine with other medications
- Wilson's Disease
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about trientine.
See also: trientine side effects (in more detail)
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