Tebamide suppositories

Generic name: trimethobenzamide/benzocaine [ trye-METH-oh-BENZ-a-mide/BEN-zoe-kane ]
Brand name: Examples include Tebamide and Tigan

Tebamide suppositories are used for:

Treating nausea and vomiting. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Tebamide suppositories are an antiemetic. It works by blocking one of the chemical messengers that stimulates nausea and vomiting.

Do NOT use Tebamide suppositories if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Tebamide suppositories, including benzocaine or similar anesthetics
• you are taking sodium oxybate (GHB)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Tebamide suppositories:

Some medical conditions may interact with Tebamide suppositories. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a brain disease, dehydration, electrolyte disturbance, fever, persistent diarrhea, or Reye syndrome
• if you have a history of kidney problems

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Tebamide suppositories. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Sodium oxybate (GHB) because serious side effects, including increased risk of increased sleep duration and drowsiness leading to unconsciousness or coma, may be increased by Tebamide suppositories

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Tebamide suppositories may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Tebamide suppositories:

Use Tebamide suppositories as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Wash your hands before and after using Tebamide suppositories. If the suppository is too soft to use, put it in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes. You may also run cold water over it. Remove the wrapper. Moisten the suppository with cool water. Lie down on your side. Insert the pointed end of the suppository into the rectum. Use your finger to push it in completely.
• If you miss a dose of Tebamide suppositories and you are taking it regularly, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Tebamide suppositories.

Important safety information:

• Tebamide suppositories may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Tebamide suppositories with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Tebamide suppositories; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
• If your symptoms do not get better within a few days or if they get worse, check with your doctor.
• Do not use Tebamide suppositories for future conditions without checking with your doctor.
• Some patients who take Tebamide suppositories may develop muscle movements that they cannot control. This is more likely to happen in elderly patients, especially women. The chance that this will happen or that it will become permanent is greater in those who take Tebamide suppositories in higher doses or for a long time. Muscle problems may also occur after short-term treatment with low doses. Tell your doctor at once if you have muscle problems with your arms; legs; or your tongue, face, mouth, or jaw (eg, tongue sticking out, puffing of cheeks, mouth puckering, chewing movements) while taking Tebamide suppositories.
• Use Tebamide suppositories with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dizziness.
• Tebamide suppositories are not recommended for use in PREMATURE INFANTS or NEWBORN INFANTS younger than 4 weeks of age. Safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed.
• Do not give CHILDREN Tebamide suppositories to treat vomiting when the cause of vomiting is unknown. Tebamide suppositories may contribute to the development of Reye syndrome, a rare but serious illness.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Tebamide suppositories while you are pregnant. It is not known if this medicine is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Tebamide suppositories, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Tebamide suppositories:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Dizziness; drowsiness; rectal irritation.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); loss of balance; seizures; shuffling walk; uncontrolled movements of the arms or legs; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Tebamide suppositories:

Store Tebamide suppositories in the sealed wrapper at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Tebamide suppositories out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Tebamide suppositories, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Tebamide suppositories are to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Tebamide suppositories. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer