TRIMETHOBENZAMIDE (Systemic)?
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
- Benzacot
- Stemetic
- Tebamide
- Tigan
- Tribenzagan
- Trimazide
Generic name product may be available in the U.S.
? Not commercially available in Canada.
Category
Description
Trimethobenzamide (trye-meth-oh-BEN-za-mide) is used to treat nausea and vomiting.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription in thefollowing dosage forms:
Parenteral- Injection (U.S.)
Rectal- Suppositories (U.S.)
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it willdo. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For trimethobenzamide,the following should be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to trimethobenzamide, or if you are allergic or sensitiveto benzocaine or other local anesthetics (the suppository form of this medicinecontains benzocaine). Also tell your health care professional if you are allergicto any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy?Studies have not been done in pregnant women. However,although studies in animals have not shown that trimethobenzamide causes birthdefects, it has been shown to increase the chance of a miscarriage.
Breast-feeding?It is not known whether trimethobenzamide passesinto breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts,many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are takingthis medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.
Children?This medicine should not be used to treat nauseaand vomiting in children unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Some sideeffects may be more serious in children.
Older adults?Many medicines have not been studied specificallyin older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactlythe same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effectsor problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing useof trimethobenzamide in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are usingtrimethobenzamide, it is especially important that your health care professionalknow if you are taking any of the following:
- Central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicine that causes drowsiness)or
- Tricyclic antidepressants (medicine for depression)?Takingthese medicines with trimethobenzamide may cause increased CNS depressantor other serious effects
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of trimethobenzamide. Make sure you tell yourdoctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- High fever or
- Intestinal infection?Using trimethobenzamide may result inserious side effects
Proper Use of This Medicine
Do not usethis medicine to treat nausea and vomiting in children unless otherwise directedby your doctor. If you are giving this medicine to a child, be especiallycareful not to give more than is prescribed since side effects may be moreserious in children.
Trimethobenzamide is used only to relieve or prevent nausea and vomiting.Use it only as directed. Do not use more of it and do not use it more oftenthan your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.
To insert the rectal suppository form of thismedicine:
- First, remove foil wrapper and moisten the suppository with coldwater. Lie down on your side and use your finger to push the suppository wellup into the rectum. If the suppository is too soft to insert, chill it inthe refrigerator for 30 minutes or run cold water over it before removingthe foil wrapper.
- Wash your hands with soap and water.
Dosing?The dose of trimethobenzamide will be differentfor different patients. Follow your doctor's orders orthe directions on the label. The following information includes onlythe average doses of trimethobenzamide. If your doseis different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The number of capsules that you take, or suppositories that you use, dependson the strength of the medicine. Also, the number ofdoses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length oftime you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you aretaking trimethobenzamide.
- For oral dosage form (capsules):
- For nausea and vomiting:
- Adults and children 12 years of age and older?250 milligrams(mg) three or four times a day as needed.
- Children?Dose is based on body weight and must be determinedby your doctor. The usual dose is 15 mg per kilogram (6.8 mg per pound) ofbody weight divided into three or four doses. The dose is usually not morethan 200 mg three or four times a day as needed.
- For injection dosage form:
- For nausea and vomiting:
- Adults and children 12 years of age and older?200 mg threeor four times a day as needed, injected into a muscle.
- Children?Use is not recommended.
- For rectal dosage form (suppositories):
- For nausea and vomiting:
- Adults and children 12 years of age and older?200 mg threeor four times a day as needed.
- Children?Dose is based on body weight and must be determinedby your doctor. The usual dose is 15 mg per kilogram (6.8 mg per pound) ofbody weight divided into three or four doses. The dose is usually not morethan 200 mg three or four times a day as needed.
Missed dose?If you must use this medicine regularly and youmiss a dose, use it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time foryour next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.Do not double doses.
Storage?To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store away from heat and direct light.
- Do not store the capsule form of this medicine in the bathroom, nearthe kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause themedicine to break down.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
Trimethobenzamidewill add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines thatmake you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistaminesor medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers,or sleeping medicine; prescription pain medicine or narcotics; barbiturates;medicine for seizures; muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dentalanesthetics. Check with your doctor before taking anyof the above while you are using this medicine.
This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy, lightheaded, drowsy,or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you knowhow you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anythingelse that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert.
When using trimethobenzamide on a regular basis, make sure your doctorknows if you are taking large amounts of aspirin or other salicylates at thesame time (as for arthritis or rheumatism). Effects of too much aspirin, suchas ringing in the ears, may be covered up by this medicine.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects,a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these sideeffects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possibleif any of the following side effects occur:
Other sideeffects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effectsmay go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However,check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or arebothersome:
Other sideeffects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice anyother effects, check with your doctor.
Revised: 01/29/1999
