Overview
DESCRIPTION Trientine hydrochloride is N,N' -bis (2-aminoethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine dihydrochloride. It is a white to pale yellow crystalline hygroscopic powder. It is freely soluble in water, soluble in methanol, slightly soluble in ethanol, and insoluble in chloroform and ether. The empirical formula is C 6 H 18 N 4 •2HCl with a molecular weight of 219.2.
Mechanism of Action
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Introduction Wilson's disease (hepatolenticular degeneration) is an autosomal inherited metabolic defect resulting in an inability to maintain a near-zero balance of copper. Excess copper accumulates possibly because the liver lacks the mechanism to excrete free copper into the bile. Hepatocytes store excess copper but when their capacity is exceeded copper is released into the blood and is taken up into extrahepatic sites. This condition is treated with a low copper diet and the use of chelating agents that bind copper to facilitate its excretion from the body.
Indications
- INDICATIONS AND USAGE Trientine hydrochloride capsules are indicated in the treatment of patients with Wilson's disease who are intolerant of penicillamine. Clinical experience with trientine hydrochloride capsules is limited and alternate dosing regimens have not been well-characterized; all endpoints in determining an individual patient's dose have not been well defined. Trientine hydrochloride capsules and penicillamine cannot be considered interchangeable.
Common Doses
- 750 mg
- 250 mg
- 000 mg
- 500 mg
Dosage
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Systemic evaluation of dose and/or interval between dose has not been done. However, on limited clinical experience, the recommended initial dose of trientine hydrochloride capsules is 500 to 750 mg/day for pediatric patients and 750 to 1,250 mg/day for adults given in divided doses two, three or four times daily. This may be increased to a maximum of 2,000 mg/day for adults or 1,500 mg/day for pediatric patients age 12 or under.
Contraindications
- CONTRAINDICATIONS Hypersensitivity to this product.
Side Effects
- ADVERSE REACTIONS Clinical experience with trientine hydrochloride has been limited. The following adverse reactions have been reported in a clinical study in patients with Wilson's disease who were on therapy with trientine hydrochloride: iron deficiency, systemic lupus erythematosus (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ). In addition, the following adverse reactions have been reported in marketed use: dystonia, muscular spasm, myasthenia gravis.
Interactions
- No major interactions listed on the FDA label. Always consult a healthcare professional.