| Pronunciation |
 (TRYE
en
teen) |
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| U.S. Brand Names |
| Syprine® |
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| Generic Available |
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No |
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| Synonyms |
| Trientine Hydrochloride |
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| Pharmacological Index |
|
Chelating Agent |
|
| Use |
|
Treatment of Wilson's disease in patients intolerant to penicillamine |
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| Pregnancy Risk Factor |
|
C |
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| Contraindications |
|
Rheumatoid arthritis, biliary cirrhosis, cystinuria, known hypersensitivity to trientine |
|
| Warnings/Precautions |
|
May cause iron deficiency anemia; monitor closely; use with caution in patients with reactive airway disease |
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| Adverse Reactions |
|
Percentage unknown: Malaise, iron deficiency, heartburn, epigastric pain, anemia, tenderness, thickening and fissuring of skin, muscle cramps, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), dystonia, muscular spasm, myasthenia gravis |
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| Overdosage/Toxicology |
|
Overdosage is unknown; a single 30 g ingestion resulted in no toxicity Following GI decontamination, treatment is supportive |
|
| Drug Interactions |
|
Decreased effect with iron and possibly other mineral supplements |
|
| Mechanism of Action |
|
Trientine hydrochloride is an oral chelating agent structurally dissimilar from penicillamine and other available chelating agents; an effective oral chelator of copper used to induce adequate cupriuresis |
|
| Usual Dosage |
|
Oral (administer on an empty stomach): Adults: 750-1250 mg/day in divided doses 2-4 times/day; maximum dose: 2 g/day |
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| Dietary Considerations |
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Should be administered 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals and at least 1 hour apart from any drug, food, or milk |
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| Mental Health: Effects on Mental Status |
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May cause drowsiness |
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| Mental Health: Effects on Psychiatric Treatment |
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None reported |
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| Patient Information |
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Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals and at least 1 hour apart from any drug, food, or milk; do not chew capsule, swallow whole followed by a full glass of water; notify physician of any fever or skin changes; any skin exposed to the contents of a capsule should be promptly washed with water |
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| Nursing Implications |
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Do not chew capsule, swallow whole followed by a full glass of water; notify physician of any fever or skin changes; any skin exposed to the contents of a capsule should be promptly washed with water |
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| Dosage Forms |
|
Capsule, as hydrochloride: 250 mg |
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| References |
|
Stavinoha MW and Soloway RD, "Current Therapy of Chronic Liver Disease," Drugs, 1990, 39(6):814-40. Tankanow RM, "Pathophysiology and Treatment of Wilson's Disease," Clin Pharm, 1991, 10(11):839-49. Walshe JM, "Treatment of Wilson's Disease With Trientine (Triethylene Tetramine) Dihydrochloride," Lancet, 1982, 1(8273):643-7. |
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