Trimethobenzamide, Oral/Injection try-meth-oh-BEN-za-mide

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antiemetic; anticholinergic

Generic and brand names: trimethobenzamide, injection; trimethobenzamide, oral; Tigan

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is used to treat and control nausea and vomiting. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• stomach problems (gastroenteritis)

Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

This medicine may be taken by mouth or given by injection (shots), depending on the form your healthcare provider prescribes.

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more of it or take it more often than directed. Taking too much may increase the risk of side effects, especially in children.

Drink plenty of water while you are taking this medicine so that you won't become dehydrated.

If you have trouble swallowing, the capsule may be opened and the powder sprinkled on soft food such as applesauce.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: dizziness, weakness, fainting, irregular heartbeat, confusion, drowsiness, seizures.

What should I watch out for?

Contact your healthcare provider if your condition does not improve in a few days or if it gets worse.

Vomiting may be a symptom of Reye's syndrome in children. Do not give this medicine to children unless your provider specifically tells you to do so.

This medicine may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down your nervous system. Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines unless your healthcare provider approves.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Trembling, seizures, yellowish skin or eyes, problems with balance and walking, unexplained sore throat.

Other: Drowsiness, dizziness, headache, diarrhea, blurred vision, muscle cramps.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• alcohol
• antihistamines such as clemastine (Tavist), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), hydroxyzine (Vistaril), and meclizine (Antivert, Dramamine)
• antianxiety medicines such as alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and oxazepam
• antispasmodic medicines such as atropine and belladonna/phenobarbital (Donnatal)
• barbiturates such as butabarbital (Butisol), pentobarbital (Nembutal), and phenobarbital
• natural remedies such as: gotu kola, kava, St. John's wort, SAMe, and valerian
• muscle relaxants such as baclofen (Lioresal), carisoprodol (Soma), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), dantrolene Dantrium), methocarbamol (Robaxin), and tizanidine (Zanaflex)
• narcotic analgesics (painkillers) such as codeine, fentanyl (Duragesic, Actiq), hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab), meperidine (Demerol), oxycodone (OxyContin), oxycodone/acetaminophen (Percocet, Tylox), and pentazocine (Talwin)
• phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, perphenazine, prochlorperazine, promethazine (Phenergan), thioridazine, trifluoperazine, and triflupromazine (Vesprin)
• sedatives such as butabarbital (Butisol), phenobarbital (Solfoton), triazolam (Halcion), zaleplon (Sonata), and zolpidem (Ambien)
• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin, imipramine (Tofranil), and nortriptyline (Pamelor)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.