Drug Interaction Report

Trientine can bind to iron in the gastrointestinal tract. This may inactivate the iron and also interfere with the absorption of trientine into the bloodstream. The effectiveness of both medications may be reduced. To avoid or minimize the interaction, the dosing times of trientine and ferrous gluconate (or any other iron-containing medication) should be separated by at least two hours. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns, or if you have trouble separating the dosing times. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Take trientine on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal and at least one hour apart from any other food, drug, or milk. You may experience reduced absorption of trientine in the presence of food or milk. The capsules should be swallowed whole with water and should not be opened or chewed.

Food may reduce the absorption and blood levels of ferrous gluconate. In addition, some oral medications can also interfere with ferrous gluconate absorption into the bloodstream, which may make the medication less effective in treating your condition. Likewise, ferrous gluconate may interfere with the absorption of other orally administered medications. You should take ferrous gluconate on an empty stomach at least one hour before or two hours after a meal. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact, or you may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring to safely use both medications. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about how to take this or other medications you are prescribed. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Mineral supplements or mineral-containing medications such as multivitamin with minerals can bind to trientine in the gastrointestinal tract, which may reduce the absorption of both trientine and the mineral. It is best to avoid taking these medications together when possible. However, if you must take both, you should try to separate the times of administration by at least two hours. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.