trientine
Cuprior · ATC code A16AX
Also known as: Trientin
- Key facts
- Active substance
- trientine
- ATC code
- A16AX
- Authorisation
- centrally authorised across the EU (EMA)
- Dosage forms
- Cuprior 150 mg film-coated tablets
- Marketing authorisation holder
- Orphalan
- Information as of
- 2026-10-28
Key facts
Trientine is a copper chelating agent used to treat Wilson's disease in patients aged 5 years and older who are intolerant to D-penicillamine (Cuprior, film-coated tablets).
What it is used for
- Treatment of Wilson's disease in adults, adolescents and children ≥ 5 years intolerant to D-penicillamine therapy.
Dosing
- Cuprior adults: 450 mg to 975 mg per day in 2 to 4 divided doses; usually start at the lowest dose and adapt to clinical response.
- Children and adolescents (5 to 18 years): usually 225 mg to 600 mg per day in 2 to 4 divided doses; not suitable for children under 5 years.
- Doses are expressed as trientine base; take care when switching from another trientine formulation, as doses may not be equivalent.
- Take on an empty stomach: at least one hour before or two hours after meals, and at least one hour apart from other medicines, food or milk.
- No dose adjustment in elderly patients or renal impairment (close monitoring in the latter).
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to the active substance or any excipient.
Important warnings
- Reduces serum iron; iron supplements may be needed for iron deficiency anaemia and should be given at a different time.
- Combination with zinc is not recommended.
- Regular monitoring of symptoms and serum free copper (normally 100 to 150 microgram/L); worsening, including neurological deterioration, may occur at the start of treatment.
- Overtreatment carries a risk of copper deficiency, particularly in pregnancy and children.
- Lupus-like reactions have been reported after previous D-penicillamine treatment.
Side effects
- Common: nausea (the most commonly reported reaction).
- Uncommon: sideroblastic anaemia, skin rash, pruritus, erythema.
- Not known: iron deficiency anaemia, duodenitis, colitis (including severe colitis), urticaria.
Interactions
- Iron and trientine may inhibit each other's absorption; take iron supplements at least two hours after trientine.
- Keep at least one hour apart from other medicines, food or milk.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Use in pregnancy only after careful individual benefit-risk consideration; monitor copper levels.
- Breast-feeding: decide between stopping breast-feeding or therapy based on benefit and risk.
Summary of the official product information, written with AI on 2026-10-29. Every number was checked automatically against the original text. Not reviewed by a physician – the full official text is authoritative.
Common questions – ask Medelix
For patients
Package leaflet, verbatim
This product has no separate US patient information.
Authorisation and brand names by country
Medicines with exactly this active-substance composition, as listed in the national registers – alphabetical and without ranking. Whether a product is currently available is not shown here.
EU – centrally authorised (all member states)
- CupriorOrphalan · EMEA/H/C/004005
Source: European Medicines Agency (EMA), product information
Brand names in 10 more European countries
- Denmark
- Trientin Waymade
- France
- Trientine Waymade
- Greece
- Trientine Waymade
- Iceland
- Cuprior
- Italy
- Trientina Waymade
- Liechtenstein
- Cuprior
- Netherlands
- Trientine Waymade
- Norway
- Cuprior
- Portugal
- Trientina Waymade
- Spain
- Trientina
EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-29
Medelix receives no money from pharmaceutical companies. Brand names are listed alphabetically and without ranking.
Other substances in the same group
Another question about this substance?
Medelix answers clinical questions from guidelines, studies and product information – every claim with its source.
Sources
- European Medicines Agency. Cuprior – EPAR, Product Information. 2026-10-28. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/cuprior-epar-product-information_en.pdf
Editorial: Medelix editorial team · last updated 2026-10-28 · How these pages are made · Report an error
Source: European Medicines Agency (EMA), product information. Not advertising, not a treatment recommendation. For questions about your own treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist.