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What is Trimebutine used for?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Dec 6, 2022.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Trimebutine relieves abdominal pain and helps to restore normal bowel function and may be used to treat motility disorders of the gastrointestinal tract such as irritable bowel syndrome and paralytic ileus after abdominal surgery. It is an antispasmodic.

How does trimebutine work?

Trimebutine acts directly on smooth muscle by preventing the influx of extracellular calcium ions into smooth muscle cells and the release of calcium from intracellular calcium stores. This results in depolarization of the cell membrane and decreases peristalsis (the wave-like contractions of the colon that move food through the digestive tract). It also has effects of potassium ions and both trimebutine and its active metabolites bind to mu-opioid receptors which also help to relax smooth muscle spasms.

What is the dosage of trimebutine?

The dosage of trimebutine usually ranges from 300mg to 600mg/day, usually split into three doses a day (for example 200mg three times daily).

Trimebutine is usually taken before food.

What are the most common side effects of trimebutine?

Common side effects include:

  • Dry mouth
  • Diarrhea/constipation
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Headache
  • Indigestion
  • Nausea.

Uncommon side effects that should be reported to your healthcare provider include difficulty urinating, hearing loss, or a painful enlargement of the breast.

Is trimebutine available in the U.S.?

Trimebutine is not FDA-approved and is not available in the United States. There is no equivalent of trimebutine in the U.S..

Other antispasmodics available in the U.S. include peppermint oil, hyoscyamine, and dicyclomine.

What countries is trimebutine available in?

Trimebutine is available in Canada and several other countries, such as:

  • Argentina
  • Bangladesh
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Egypt
  • France
  • Georgia
  • Greece
  • Hong Kong
  • India
  • Lebanon
  • Mexico
  • Pakistan
  • Paraguay
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Singapore.

What are some brand names for trimebutine?

Brand names for trimebutine include:

  • Antinime
  • Cineprac
  • Colixane
  • Colospasmyl
  • Colypan
  • Crolipsa
  • Debricol
  • Debridat
  • Eumotil
  • Eumotrix
  • Eutransil
  • Fastpep
  • Foldox
  • Garapepsin
  • Gismotal
  • Ibutin
  • Ircolon
  • Libertrim
  • Miopropan
  • Newbutin SR
  • Orudis
  • Tempas
  • Tidomel
  • Timotor
  • Trimesher
  • Trimotil
  • Trimspa
  • Yuan Sheng Li Wei.

Synonyms of trimebutine include:

  • Trimebutinum (Latin)
  • Trimebutin (German)
  • Trimébutine (French)
  • Trimebutina (Spanish).

References
  • Trimebutine DrugBank Online https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB09089
  • Delvaux, M., & Wingate, D. (1997). Trimebutine: mechanism of action, effects on gastrointestinal function, and clinical results. The Journal of international medical research, 25(5), 225–246. https://doi.org/10.1177/030006059702500501
  • Trimebutine MedBroadcast https://www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/trimebutine
  • Trimebutine My Health.Alberta.ca https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/medications/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=fdb8090#fdb8090-03

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