trimethobenzamide

Generic Name: trimethobenzamide (trye METH oh BENZ a mide)

Brand names: Tigan, Ticon, Benzacot

What is trimethobenzamide?

Trimethobenzamide affects the areas of the brain that stimulate nausea and vomiting.

Trimethobenzamide is used to treat nausea and vomiting.

Trimethobenzamide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about trimethobenzamide?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a trimethobenzamide overdose may include drowsiness, uncontrollable movements, muscle spasms, blurred vision, seizures or convulsions, difficulty breathing, and death.

Trimethobenzamide may increase the side effects of other drugs that make you sleepy (such as alcohol, cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxants, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). Before using trimethobenzamide, tell your doctor if you are using any of these medicines.

Trimethobenzamide can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol while you are using trimethobenzamide. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking trimethobenzamide?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have:

• kidney or liver disease;


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  an enlarged prostate;

  
  


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  difficulty urinating or other bladder problems;

  
  


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  glaucoma;

  
  


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  asthma; or

  
  


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  heart disease or a heart rhythm disorder.

  
  

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use trimethobenzamide, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

It is not known whether trimethobenzamide will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take trimethobenzamide without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether trimethobenzamide passes into breast milk. Do not take trimethobenzamide without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medicine to a child, especially if the child has a fever or has recently had chicken pox.

How should I take trimethobenzamide?

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor.

Take this medication with a full glass of water. Trimethobenzamide is normally used three or four times a day. You may also be using the medicine only as needed. Follow your doctor's instructions. Store trimethobenzamide at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

See also: Trimethobenzamide dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

This medicine is often used only when needed to control nausea or vomiting, so you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are using the medication regularly, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a trimethobenzamide overdose may include drowsiness, uncontrollable movements, muscle spasms, blurred vision, seizures or convulsions, difficulty breathing, and death.

What should I avoid while taking trimethobenzamide?

Trimethobenzamide can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol while you are using trimethobenzamide. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness.

Trimethobenzamide 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. Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

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  jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

  
  


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  seizure (convulsions);

  
  


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  easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;

  
  


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  tremor (uncontrolled shaking); or

  
  


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  muscle cramps, severe muscle spasms.

  
  

Continue using trimethobenzamide and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

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  drowsiness or dizziness;

  
  


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  headache;

  
  


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  feeling depressed or disoriented; or

  
  


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  blurred vision.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Trimethobenzamide Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Nausea/Vomiting:

Trimethobenzamide in suppository form was voluntarily withdrawn from the US market by the manufacturer in April, 2007 due to a lack of evidence of effectiveness. The following dosage information for the suppository form applies to when the drug was available in the U.S.

orally: 250 to 300 mg 3 to 4 times a day.
IM: 200 mg 3 to 4 times a day.
rectally: 200 mg suppository 3 to 4 times a day.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Nausea/Vomiting:

Trimethobenzamide in suppository form was voluntarily withdrawn from the US market by the manufacturer in April, 2007 due to a lack of evidence of effectiveness. The following dosage information for the suppository form applies to when the drug was available in the U.S.

Child less than 30 lbs: 100 mg orally or rectally 3 to 4 times a day.

Child 30 to 90 lbs: 100 to 200 mg orally or rectally 3 to 4 times a day.

What other drugs will affect trimethobenzamide?

Trimethobenzamide may increase the side effects of other drugs that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxants, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). Before using trimethobenzamide, tell your doctor if you are using any of these medicines.

There may be other drugs that can affect trimethobenzamide. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

More trimethobenzamide resources

• Trimethobenzamide Side Effects (in more detail)
• Trimethobenzamide Dosage
• Trimethobenzamide Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Trimethobenzamide Drug Interactions
• Trimethobenzamide Support Group
• 3 Reviews for Trimethobenzamide - Add your own review/rating

• trimethobenzamide Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Trimethobenzamide Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Trimethobenzamide MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Benzacot Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Tigan Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Tigan Prescribing Information (FDA)

Compare trimethobenzamide with other medications

• Nausea/Vomiting

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about trimethobenzamide.

See also: trimethobenzamide side effects (in more detail)