Drug interactions
Copper + Trientine
Severity: Moderate
Copper and Trientine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Trientine chelates copper and promotes its elimination, which is the intended therapeutic effect in Wilson's disease. Copper supplementation would oppose this, and excessive treatment can cause copper deficiency.
What this interaction means in plain words
Copper and Trientine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Copper belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Trientine belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Trientine chelates copper, increasing urinary excretion and limiting absorption.
What to do
Avoid copper supplements in patients treated with trientine for Wilson's disease. Monitor serum and urinary copper and watch for over-treatment such as anemia.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Copper
- Copper + Omadacycline Moderate
- Copper + Penicillamine Moderate
- Copper + Sarecycline Moderate
- Ascorbic acid + Copper Minor
- Baloxavir marboxil + Copper Minor
- Copper + Vitamin c Minor
Other interactions of Trientine
- Calcium + Trientine Moderate
- Carbonyl iron + Trientine Moderate
- Ferrous fumarate + Trientine Moderate
- Ferrous gluconate + Trientine Moderate
- Ferrous sulfate + Trientine Moderate
- Iron + Trientine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Copper with Trientine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Copper and Trientine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Trientine chelates copper and promotes its elimination, which is the intended therapeutic effect in Wilson's disease. Copper supplementation would oppose this, and excessive treatment can cause copper deficiency.
How serious is the interaction between Copper and Trientine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid copper supplements in patients treated with trientine for Wilson's disease. Monitor serum and urinary copper and watch for over-treatment such as anemia.
What other medicines interact with Copper?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Copper with, for example, Omadacycline, Penicillamine, Sarecycline. The full list is on the Copper page.
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