What type of drug is Trientine?

Trientine(Trientine) is a drug commonly used to treat Wilson's disease. Wilson's disease is a rare hereditary metabolic disorder (rare disease) in which copper cannot be metabolized normally, leading to the accumulation of copper in the liver, brain and other organs, leading to a series of serious health problems, including liver failure, nervous system damage and kidney dysfunction. Trientine effectively controls diseases by binding to excess copper ions in the body and helping them to be excreted from the body.

1. Trientine drug types

Trientine belongs to the class of metal chelating agents (chelating agents). This type of drug reduces its toxic effects in the body by forming stable complexes with metal ions. In patients with Wilson's disease, excessive accumulation of copper can cause damage to the liver and nervous system. Trientine helps the excretion of copper by combining with copper ions to form a complex that is easy to be excreted, thereby reducing the harmful effects of copper on the body.

Trientine has fewer side effects, especially on the skin and kidneys, than other common metal chelators such as meclopramide (Penicillamine), making it an alternative treatment option for Wilson's disease, especially in patients who cannot tolerate or have an allergic reaction to meclopramide.

2. The working mechanism of trientine

The main mechanism of action of trientine is to combine with copper ions to form a complex, so that copper cannot continue to be deposited in tissues. By increasing the excretion of copper, especially in the urine, trientine helps restore the balance of copper in the body, thereby reducing the symptoms of Wilson's disease and preventing the accumulation of copper in vital organs such as the liver, brain and kidneys.

When using trientine for a long time, patients need regular physical examinations, including blood routine, liver function tests and gastrointestinal monitoring. Through these examinations, doctors can evaluate the impact of drugs on the body and adjust treatment plans in a timely manner.

Keyword tags: Trientine,Trientine, Wilson's disease, metal chelators, drug types, copper excretion

Reference materials:https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/trientine-oral-route/description/drg-20066488