What are the functions of Trientine?

Trientine(Trientine) is a drug used to treat Wilson's disease (rare disease). Its main function is to control the disease by promoting the excretion of excess copper in the body. Wilson's disease is a disease in which copper accumulates in the body due to a disorder in copper metabolism. Trientine works by binding to copper ions and helping to remove it from the body, preventing excessive accumulation of copper in vital organs such as the liver, brain, and kidneys.

1. Core role in treating Wilson’s disease

Copper in patients with Wilson's disease cannot be metabolized and excreted normally, causing it to accumulate in the liver, brain and other parts of the body, causing liver damage, neurological damage, psychiatric symptoms and other systemic problems. Trientine increases the urinary excretion of copper by forming a stable complex with copper ions, thereby reducing the accumulation of copper in the body and alleviating the clinical symptoms of the disease. By effectively removing copper from the body, trientine helps prevent the progression of liver damage, neurological damage, and worsening of psychological symptoms in people with Wilson's disease.

2. Control the metabolic balance of copper

Copper is an essential trace element for the human body and plays an important role in many physiological processes, such as iron metabolism and red blood cell production. However, in patients with Wilson's disease, copper metabolism is disrupted, leading to excessive accumulation of copper in the body. Trientine chelates copper ions and promotes their excretion through the kidneys, restoring the copper concentration in the body to normal levels and maintaining copper metabolic balance.

3. Improve patients’ quality of life

Because Wilson's disease affects liver, nerve, and kidney function, patients often face severe symptoms such as liver failure, cognitive impairment, and motor coordination problems. By effectively controlling the accumulation of copper, trientine can slow down the occurrence of these complications, help patients maintain better physical condition, and thereby improve their quality of life. In addition, trientine helps control the condition during long-term treatment, reducing the need for hospitalization and reducing acute exacerbations of the disease.

Keyword tags: Trientine,Trientine, Wilson's disease, copper metabolism, drug combination therapy, metal chelation

Reference materials:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triethylenetetramine