Trimethobenzamide (patient information)

IMPORTANT WARNING:

In April 2007, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that suppositories containing trimethobenzamide may no longer be marketed in the United States. The FDA made this decision because trimethobenzamide suppositories have not been shown to work to treat nausea and vomiting. If you are currently using trimethobenzamide suppositories, you should call your doctor or other healthcare professional to talk about switching to another treatment.

Why is this medication prescribed

Trimethobenzamide is used to treat nausea and vomiting that may occur after surgery. It is also used to control nausea caused by gastroenteritis ('stomach flu'; a virus that may cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea). Trimethobenzamide is in a class of medications called antihistamines.Trimethobenzamide may work by decreasing activity in the area of the brain that causes nausea and vomiting.

How should this medicine be used

Trimethobenzamide comes as a capsule to take by mouth. Trimethobenzamide usually is taken three or four times a day. Take trimethobenzamide at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take trimethobenzamide exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Other uses for this medicine

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow

Before taking trimethobenzamide

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to trimethobenzamide or any other medications.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: antidepressants; antihistamines; barbiturates such as phenobarbital (Luminal); belladonna alkaloids (Donnatal); medications for anxiety, mental illness, pain and seizures; other medications for nausea and vomiting; sedatives; sleeping pills; and tranquilizers. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you more carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have Reye's Syndrome (a condition affecting the brain and liver that can happen after a viral illness), encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), or a high fever, or if you have or have ever had liver disease. If you will be giving trimethobenzamide to a child, also tell the child's doctor if the child has any of the following symptoms before he or she receives the medication: vomiting, listlessness, drowsiness, confusion, aggression, seizures, yellowing of the skin or eyes, weakness, or flu-like symptoms. Also tell the child's doctor if the child has not been drinking normally, has had excessive vomiting or diarrhea, or appears dehydrated.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking trimethobenzamide, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking trimethobenzamide.
• you should know that this medication may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
• ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are taking trimethobenzamide. Alcohol can make the side effects from trimethobenzamide worse.

What special dietary instructions should I follow

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do if I forget a dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Side Effects

Minor Side Effects

Trimethobenzamide may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• drowsiness
• dizziness
• headache
• depression
• diarrhea

Severe Side Effects

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• rash
• backward arching of the head, neck, and back
• muscle cramps
• uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
• slow, jerking movements
• shuffling walk
• slow speech
• confusion
• blurred vision
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• seizures
• coma (loss of consciousness for a period of time)

Trimethobenzamide may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

What other information should I know

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Brand names

• Tigan®