What You Need To Know About Trimetazidine Hydrochloride

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

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. 

Learn more about Heart Health here.