Trimethobenzamide Hydrochloride

The recommended adult dosage is 300 mg orally three or four times daily. Select the lowest effective daily dosage and adjust as needed based upon therapeutic response and tolerability.

In geriatric patients and/or in patients with renal impairment (creatinine clearance 70 mL/min/1.73m2 or less), reduce the daily dosage of trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules by increasing the dosing interval and adjust as needed based upon therapeutic response and tolerability. Monitor renal function [see Use in Specific Populations (8.5, 8.6)].

Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), manifested primarily as acute dystonic reactions, may occur with trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules. Dystonic reactions may include sudden onset of muscular spasms, especially in the head and neck or opisthotonos. Other EPS include laryngospasm, dysphagia, and oculogyric crisis. Involuntary spasms of the tongue and mouth may lead to difficulty in speaking and swallowing. Anticholinergic drugs can be used to treat acute dystonic reactions.

EPS may also include akathisia, restlessness, akinesia, and other parkinsonian-like symptoms (e.g., tremor). Depending on the severity of symptoms, reduce the daily dosage of trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules by increasing the dosing interval or discontinue trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)].

Avoid trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules in patients receiving other drugs that are likely to cause EPS (e.g. antipsychotics) [see Drug Interactions (7.2)].

EPS and other CNS symptoms which can occur in patients treated with trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules may be confused with CNS signs of undiagnosed primary disease (e.g., encephalopathy, metabolic imbalance, Reye’s syndrome)) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1, 5.3)]. If CNS symptoms occur, evaluate the risks and benefits of continuing trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules for each patient.

Other serious CNS adverse reactions such as coma, depression of mood, disorientation, and seizures have been reported with trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules administration. The recent use of other drugs that cause CNS depression or EPS symptoms (e.g., alcohol, sedatives, hypnotics, opiates, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, and anticholinergics) may also increase the risk for these serious CNS reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1, 5.5)]. Consider reducing the daily dosage of trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules by increasing the dosing interval or discontinuing the drug [see Dosage and Administration (2.1), Drug Interactions (7.1, 7.2)].

Trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules are potentially hepatotoxic [see Adverse Reactions (6)]. Avoid use of trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules in patients whose signs and symptoms suggest the presence of hepatic impairment. Discontinue trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules in patients who develop impaired liver function while taking trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules.

Trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules can cause drowsiness and may impair the mental and/or physical abilities required for the performance of hazardous tasks such as driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1, 5.3)]. Concomitant use of other drugs that cause CNS depression or EPS symptoms (e.g., alcohol, sedatives, hypnotics, opiates, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, and anticholinergics) may increase this effect. Either trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules or the other interacting drug should be chosen, depending on the importance of the drug to the patient [Drug Interactions (7.1, 7.2)]. Inform patients not to operate motor vehicles or other dangerous machinery until they are reasonably certain that trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules do not affect them adversely.

Alcohol may increase the CNS depressant effects of trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules and may cause drowsiness [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3, 5.5)]. Avoid concomitant use of trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules with alcohol.

The concurrent use of trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules with other drugs that cause CNS depression or EPS (e.g., sedatives, hypnotics, opiates, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, and anticholinergics, may potentiate the effects of trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.5)]. Either trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules or the other interacting drug should be chosen, depending on the importance of the drug to the patient. If CNS-acting drugs cannot be avoided, monitor patients for CNS adverse reactions.

Risk Summary

The limited available data with trimethobenzamide in pregnant women are not sufficient to inform a drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage. No adverse developmental effect was observed in animal reproduction studies with administration of trimethobenzamide hydrochloride during organogenesis in pregnant rats at doses 0.16 and 0.8 times the recommended human dose (RHD) and in pregnant rabbits at doses 1.6 times the RHD [see Data].

The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively.

Data

Animal Data

Reproduction studies with trimethobenzamide hydrochloride were conducted in rats and rabbits following administration of trimethobenzamide hydrochloride during organogenesis and no adverse developmental effect was observed in either species. The only effects observed were an increased percentage of embryonic resorptions or stillborn pups in rats administered 20 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg (0.16 and 0.8 times the RHD of 1200 mg/day, based on body surface area) and increased resorptions in rabbits receiving 100 mg/kg (1.6 times the RHD of 1200 mg/day, based on body surface area). In each study, these adverse effects were attributed to one or two dams.

Risk Summary

There is no information on the presence of trimethobenzamide in human milk, the effects of trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules on the breastfed infant or the effects of trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules on milk production. The lack of clinical data during lactation precludes a clear determination of the risk of trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules to an infant during lactation; therefore, the developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules or from the underlying maternal condition.

The safety and effectiveness of trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules in pediatric patients have not been established.

Trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules are not recommended for use in pediatric patients due to the risk of EPS and other serious CNS effects, and the risk of exacerbation of underlying disease in pediatric patients with Reye’s Syndrome, or other hepatic impairment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4)].

Clinical studies of trimethobenzamide did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 years and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger patients. Although there are studies reported in the literature that included geriatric patients 65 years and older with younger patients, it is not known if there are differences in efficacy or safety parameters for geriatric and non-geriatric patients treated with trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules.

Trimethobenzamide is excreted by the kidney, and the risk of adverse reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because geriatric patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, reduce the daily dosage of trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules by increasing the dosing interval and adjust as needed based upon therapeutic response and tolerability. Monitor renal function [see Dosage and Administration (2.2), Use in Specific Populations (8.6)].

Trimethobenzamide is eliminated by renal excretion [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. In patients with renal impairment (creatinine clearance 70 mL/min/1.73m2 or less), reduce the daily dosage by increasing the dosing interval and adjust as needed based upon therapeutic response and tolerability. Monitor renal function [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].

Avoid trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules in patients whose signs and symptoms suggest the presence of hepatic impairment due to the risk of hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)]. Discontinue trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules in patients who develop impaired liver function while taking trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules.

The mechanism of action of trimethobenzamide as determined in animals is obscure, but may involve the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ), an area in the medulla oblongata through which emetic impulses are conveyed to the vomiting center; direct impulses to the vomiting center apparently are not similarly inhibited. In dogs pretreated with trimethobenzamide HCl, the emetic response to apomorphine is inhibited, while little or no protection is afforded against emesis induced by intragastric copper sulfate.

Absorption

The pharmacokinetics of trimethobenzamide in healthy adult subjects were compared when trimethobenzamide hydrochloride capsules was administered as a 300 mg oral capsule or a 200 mg (100 mg/mL) intramuscular injection. The time to reach maximum plasma concentration (Tmax) was about 30 minutes after intramuscular injection compared to about 45 minutes after oral capsule administration. The plasma concentration-time profile of trimethobenzamide was similar between the two formulations.

Elimination

The mean elimination half-life of trimethobenzamide is 7 to 9 hours.

Metabolism

The major pathway of trimethobenzamide metabolism is through oxidation resulting in the formation of trimethobenzamide N-oxide metabolite. The pharmacologic activity of this major metabolite has not been evaluated.

Excretion

Between 30 to 50% of a single dose in humans is excreted unchanged in the urine within 48 to 72 hours.

Specific Populations

Sex

Systemic exposure to trimethobenzamide was similar between men (N=40) and women (N=28). Following a single 300 mg capsule oral administration, the respective mean (SD) Cmax of trimethobenzamide were 3.5 (1.1) and 4.2 (1.6) micrograms/mL in male and female subjects. The respective mean (SD) of AUC0-∞ of trimethobenzamide were 10 (2.7) and 10.4 (2.7) micrograms×hour/mL in male and female subjects.

Race

Pharmacokinetics appeared to be similar for Caucasians (N=53) and African Americans (N=12). Following a single 300 mg capsule oral administration, the respective mean (SD) Cmax of trimethobenzamide was 3.8 (1.3) micrograms/mL in Caucasians and 3.9 (1.7) micrograms/mL in African Americans. The respective mean (SD) AUC0-∞ of trimethobenzamide was 10.4 (2.8) micrograms×hour/mL in Caucasians and 9.8 (2.5) micrograms×hour/mL in African Americans.