Trimethobenzamide 300mg Capsules
Overview
What is this medicine?
How to Use This Medicine
To use this medication correctly, follow your doctor's instructions and read all the information provided. You can take this medication with or without food. It's essential to follow the dosage instructions carefully to ensure safe and effective treatment.
Storing and Disposing of Your Medication
Store this medication at room temperature in a dry place, avoiding bathrooms and areas where children and pets can access it. Keep all medications in a safe location, out of reach of children and pets. When disposing of unused or expired medication, do not flush it down the toilet or pour it down the drain unless instructed to do so by your pharmacist. Instead, check with your pharmacist for guidance on the best disposal method or explore local drug take-back programs.
Missing a Dose
If you take this medication regularly and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it's close to the time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at the same time or take extra doses. If you take this medication as needed, follow your doctor's instructions and do not take it more frequently than recommended.
Lifestyle & Tips
- Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you, as it can cause drowsiness or dizziness.
- Avoid alcohol and other medications that can cause drowsiness, as this can worsen side effects.
- Take with food or milk if it causes stomach upset.
Available Forms & Alternatives
Available Strengths:
Dosing & Administration
Adult Dosing
Condition-Specific Dosing:
Pediatric Dosing
Dose Adjustments
Renal Impairment:
Hepatic Impairment:
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption:
Distribution:
Elimination:
Pharmacodynamics
Safety & Warnings
Side Effects
While rare, some people may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects when taking this medication. Immediately contact your doctor or seek medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:
Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
+ Rash
+ Hives
+ Itching
+ Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever
+ Wheezing
+ Tightness in the chest or throat
+ Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
+ Unusual hoarseness
+ Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Signs of liver problems, including:
+ Dark urine
+ Tiredness
+ Decreased appetite
+ Upset stomach or stomach pain
+ Light-colored stools
+ Vomiting
+ Yellow skin or eyes
Severe dizziness or fainting
Shakiness, difficulty moving, or stiffness
Trouble controlling body movements, twitching, balance problems, or difficulty swallowing or speaking
Muscle spasms
Muscle cramps
Restlessness
Blurred vision
Depression
Seizures
Confusion
Fever, chills, or sore throat
Unexplained bruising or bleeding
Feeling extremely tired or weak
Other Possible Side Effects
Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. Although many people may not experience any side effects or only minor ones, it's essential to discuss any concerns with your doctor. Contact your doctor or seek medical help if you experience any of the following side effects or if they persist or bother you:
Diarrhea
Dizziness or drowsiness
Headache
Reporting Side Effects
This list is not exhaustive, and you may experience other side effects. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, consult your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:
- Severe drowsiness or dizziness
- Unusual muscle movements or spasms (e.g., stiff neck, difficulty speaking, tremors)
- Rash or itching
- Difficulty breathing or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat (signs of allergic reaction)
- Persistent or worsening headache
Before Using This Medicine
It is essential to inform your doctor about the following:
Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances, such as foods or drugs. Be sure to describe the symptoms you experienced.
If you have liver disease, as this may affect how your body processes the medication.
If you are taking any medications that may increase the risk of involuntary body movements. There are numerous drugs that can cause this side effect, so it is crucial to ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of all potential interactions between this medication and other substances. To ensure your safety, it is vital to:
Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all the medications you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, natural products, and vitamins.
Share any health problems you have, as these may interact with the medication.
Verify that it is safe to take this medication with all your other medications and health conditions before starting, stopping, or changing the dose of any drug. Always consult your doctor before making any changes to your medication regimen.
Precautions & Cautions
Before using marijuana, other forms of cannabis, or prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that may cause drowsiness or slow your reactions, consult with your doctor. If you are 65 years or older, exercise caution when using this medication, as you may be more susceptible to side effects.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding, discuss the potential benefits and risks to you and your baby with your doctor. This medication is not approved for use in children, as it may increase the risk of severe side effects. If your child has been prescribed this drug, consult with their doctor to understand the benefits and risks associated with its use. If you have any questions or concerns about giving this medication to your child, be sure to discuss them with their doctor.
Overdose Information
Overdose Symptoms:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Disorientation
- Ataxia (loss of coordination)
- Extrapyramidal symptoms (e.g., dystonia, akathisia)
- Hypotension
- Coma
- Respiratory depression
What to Do:
Seek immediate medical attention. Call 911 or your local poison control center (e.g., 1-800-222-1222 in the US).
Drug Interactions
Major Interactions
Moderate Interactions
- Anticholinergic drugs (e.g., tricyclic antidepressants, antihistamines with anticholinergic effects)
Monitoring
Baseline Monitoring
Rationale: To identify contraindications or risk factors for adverse effects
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy
Routine Monitoring
Frequency: As needed, based on patient symptoms
Target: Symptom relief
Action Threshold: Lack of efficacy may require alternative treatment or dose adjustment
Frequency: Regularly during therapy, especially early on
Target: Absence or minimal side effects
Action Threshold: Presence of significant or intolerable side effects may require dose reduction or discontinuation
Symptom Monitoring
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Blurred vision
- Muscle cramps/spasms
- Tremors
- Rash
- Hives
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing (signs of allergic reaction)
Special Patient Groups
Pregnancy
Trimethobenzamide is Pregnancy Category C. It should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans.
Trimester-Specific Risks:
Lactation
It is not known whether trimethobenzamide is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when trimethobenzamide is administered to a nursing woman.
Pediatric Use
Contraindicated in neonates and premature infants due to potential for respiratory depression and CNS effects. Use with caution in children, especially those with acute illnesses (e.g., viral infections, dehydration) due to increased risk of extrapyramidal symptoms and CNS effects. Dosing is weight-based for children.
Geriatric Use
Elderly patients may be more susceptible to the adverse effects of trimethobenzamide, particularly CNS effects (drowsiness, dizziness, confusion) and anticholinergic effects (e.g., urinary retention, constipation). Use with caution, and consider lower starting doses.
Clinical Information
Clinical Pearls
- Trimethobenzamide is generally considered a weaker antiemetic compared to some newer agents, but can be useful for mild to moderate nausea and vomiting.
- It is primarily effective for nausea and vomiting due to its action on the CTZ, rather than direct action on the GI tract.
- Avoid use in patients with known hypersensitivity to trimethobenzamide or any of its components.
- Caution should be exercised in patients with acute febrile illness, encephalitis, gastroenteritis, or dehydration, especially in children, as these conditions may increase the risk of extrapyramidal symptoms.
- Patients should be advised to avoid activities requiring mental alertness until the drug's effects are known.
Alternative Therapies
- Ondansetron (5-HT3 receptor antagonist)
- Promethazine (Phenothiazine, H1-antihistamine)
- Prochlorperazine (Phenothiazine, dopamine receptor antagonist)
- Metoclopramide (Dopamine receptor antagonist, prokinetic)
- Dimenhydrinate (Antihistamine)
- Meclizine (Antihistamine)