Are you taking trimetazidine hydrochloride? If so, here are some important reminders about trimetazidine hydrochloride uses.
What is Trimetazidine Hydrochloride?
Trimetazidine is a medicine that helps metabolize fatty acids, helping your body use oxygen. It also allows more blood to flow to your heart and restricts quick changes in your blood pressure. It mainly is used to prevent and treat angina attacks or sudden chest, neck, and back pains usually as a result of low oxygen supply in the heart. However, please note that this medication, according to the European Medicines Agency (EMA), should only be used as an add-on to the patient’s existing treatment for their uncontrolled angina.
Generally, the goal is to reduce the number of times a patient experiences angina with the regular intake of this medicine.
Trimetazidine Hydrochloride Uses
Besides the treatment and prevention of angina, doctors can prescribe trimetazidine hydrochloride for the following:
1. Vertigo, which is described by patients as “spinning sensation
2., Tinnitus which is described as ringing of the ears
3. Visual disturbances or reduced vision as a result of problems in the blood vessels.
There are also studies suggesting that the medicine can potentially be used for heart failure and peripheral vascular disease[2,3].
Always remember that you need to consult your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms
*Important
While trimetazidine can be used for tinnitus, vertigo, and visual disturbances, the EMA, Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) concluded that “the benefits no longer outweigh the risk.” Hence, they recommend that patients who receive this medicine for tinnitus, visual disturbances, and vertigo should talk to their doctor about switching to an alternative treatment.
Note that the EMA also noted that “there’s no need for urgent change in treatment.” If you want to learn more about trimetazidine hydrochloride uses, please consult your doctor.
Side Effects
After discussing the trimetazidine hydrochloride uses, let’s proceed with the side effects.
Reports say the use of this medicine can occasionally result in the following side effects:
- Gastrointestinal discomfort
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Rashes
- Feeling weak
Rarely, it can also lead to thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) and agranulocytosis (extremely low level of granulocytes, a type of white blood cell), and liver dysfunction.
If these side effects do not improve or are already affecting your daily life, please talk to your doctor.
Precautions
Many studies and reports have shown that trimetazidine is an effective treatment for angina and myocardial ischemia (low blood supply to the heart). But, there are still precautions to keep in mind. It is crucial to inform your doctor if you have any of the following:
- allergy to the medication or any ingredients of the medicine
- pregnant or planning to be pregnant
- taking other medications, supplements, or herbals
- kidney disease
- Parkinson’s Disease, Restless leg syndrome, Tremors or any other movement disorders
Also, should the patient experience Parkinsonian symptoms while on this medicine, the use should be discontinued. If the symptoms persist four months after discontinuation, the patient must seek medical help.
Additional Instructions
Please take this medicine with food to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal side effects. Also, please do not discontinue use without your doctor’s advice.
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless the time is close to your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and proceed with the next one. Never take two doses close to each other.
Key Takeaways
Trimetazidine hydrochloride is a medication mainly used to treat angina and myocardial ischemia. The expectation is that with the regular intake of this medicine, the patient will experience angina less frequently.
However, it can also be used for tinnitus, vertigo, and visual disturbances, although some experts already concluded that in these conditions, the benefits of the medicine no longer outweigh the risks.
Learn more about Heart Health here.
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