Syprine

Generic Name: trientine (TRYE en teen)Brand Names: Syprine

What is Syprine (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 Syprine (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 Syprine (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 Syprine (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: Syprine 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 Syprine (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.

Syprine (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.

What other drugs will affect Syprine (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.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about trientine.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.02. Revision Date: 4/12/2009 4:39:55 PM.