TRIENTINE HYDROCHLORIDE

Trientine hydrochloride USP is 1,2-Ethanediamine,N,N'-bis(2-aminoethyl)-,dihydrochloride. It is a white to pale yellow crystalline powder. It is slightly soluble in methanol. The empirical formula is C 6 H 20 Cl 2 N 4 with a molecular weight of 219.15. The structural formula is: Trientine hydrochloride is a chelating compound for removal of excess copper from the body. Trientine hydrochloride, USP is available as 250 mg capsules for oral administration. Trientine hydrochloride capsules, USP contain inactive ingredients stearic acid, the capsule shell contains D & C Red 28, FD & C Blue 1, gelatin, and titanium dioxide. The capsules are imprinted with black ink containing black iron oxide, potassium hydroxide, propylene glycol, shellac, strong ammonia solution. trientinestructure

INDICATIONS & 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 are 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. Trientine hydrochloride capsules should be used when continued treatment with penicillamine is no longer possible because of intolerable or life endangering side effects. Unlike penicillamine, trientine hydrochloride capsules are not recommended in cystinuria or rheumatoid arthritis. The absence of a sulfhydryl moiety renders it incapable of binding cystine and, therefore, it is of no use in cystinuria. In 15 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, trientine hydrochloride was reported not to be effective in improving any clinical or biochemical parameter after 12 weeks of treatment. Trientine hydrochloride capsules are not indicated for treatment of biliary cirrhosis.

DOSAGE & 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 1250 mg/day for adults given in divided doses two, three or four times daily. This may be increased to a maximum of 2000 mg/day for adults or 1500 mg/day for pediatric patients age 12 or under. The daily dose of trientine hydrochloride capsules should be increased only when the clinical response is not adequate or the concentration of free serum copper is persistently above 20 mcg/dL. Optimal long-term maintenance dosage should be determined at 6- to 12-month intervals (see PRECAUTIONS , Laboratory Tests ). It is important that trientine hydrochloride capsules be given 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. The capsules should be swallowed whole with water and should not be opened or chewed.

Hypersensitivity to this product.

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. Trientine hydrochloride is not indicated for treatment of biliary cirrhosis, but in one study of 4 patients treated with trientine hydrochloride for primary biliary cirrhosis, the following adverse reactions were reported: heartburn; epigastric pain and tenderness; thickening, fissuring and flaking of the skin; hypochromic microcytic anemia; acute gastritis; aphthoid ulcers; abdominal pain; melena; anorexia; malaise; cramps; muscle pain; weakness; rhabdomyolysis. A causal relationship of these reactions to drug therapy could not be rejected or established. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Hetero Labs Limited at 1-866-495-1995 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

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.