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Trientine Hydrochloride is available as a 250 mg oral capsule.

Trientine Hydrochloride is a chelating agent and is used to treat Wilson’s disease in people who can’t take penicillamine (Depen).

Trientine Hydrochloride is a chelating agent, which means that it attaches to certain metals to help remove them from the body. In Wilson’s disease, high amounts of copper get stored in different parts of your body, such as the liver and brain. By attaching to this extra copper, Trientine Hydrochloride prevents the copper from being absorbed into your body. This helps keep your blood copper levels low.

Trientine Hydrochloride is dosed as follows:

• Adults and children older than 12 years: The typical starting dose is 750 mg to 1,250 mg by mouth per day. The maximum dose is 2,000 mg per day
• Children age 12 years and younger: The typical starting dose is 500 mg to 750 mg by mouth per day. The maximum dose is 1,500 mg per day
• The total daily dose of Trientine Hydrochloride is typically separated into 2 to 4 doses throughout the day. Your provider will adjust the dose based on any side effects you experience with the medication, your Wilson’s disease symptoms, and your blood copper levels

Trientine Hydrochloride is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you.

Common side effects of Trientine Hydrochloride:

• Low iron levels

Serious side effects are rare with Trientine Hydrochloride. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

• Myasthenia gravis: periods of muscle weakness, eyelid drooping, changes in vision or speech, difficulty swallowing
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): on-and-off fever, tiredness, skin rash across cheeks and nose (butterfly rash), joint pain

The following medications may interact with Trientine Hydrochloride:

In general, mineral supplements should not be given since they may block the absorption of Trientine Hydrochloride. However, iron deficiency may develop, especially in children and menstruating or pregnant women, or as a result of the low copper diet recommended for Wilson’s disease. If necessary, iron may be given in short courses, but since iron and Trientine Hydrochloride each inhibit absorption of the other, two hours should elapse between administration of Trientine Hydrochloride and iron. It is important that Trientine Hydrochloride be taken on an empty stomach, at least one hour before meals or two hours after meals and at least one hour apart from any other drug, food, or milk. This permits maximum absorption and reduces the likelihood of inactivation of the drug by metal binding in the gastrointestinal tract.

Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Trientine Hydrochloride should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

• Syprine