Stemetic (Intramuscular)

Trimethobenzamide is used to treat nausea and vomiting.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Trimethobenzamide will increase the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that make you sleepy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicines for hay fever, other allergies, or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicines; prescription pain medicines or narcotics; barbiturates; medicine for seizures; muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your doctor before taking any of these medicines while you are using trimethobenzamide.

This medicine may cause some people to feel dizzy, lightheaded, drowsy, or less alert than usual. Make sure you know how this medicine affects you before you drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you feel dizzy or are not alert.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor will need to weigh the risks against the benefits. Here are some important points to consider:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know about any other types of allergies, such as allergies to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric

There is no information available on how age affects the effects of intramuscular trimethobenzamide in children. However, due to the toxicity of this medication, it is contraindicated for use in children. Intramuscular trimethobenzamide should never be used in children.

Geriatric

There is no information available on whether the risk of adverse effects from trimethobenzamide is higher in elderly patients. However, because of the toxicity of this medication, it should be used with caution after considering and/or finding less toxic alternatives ineffective. Recommended doses should not be exceeded, and the patient should be closely monitored during treatment.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication during breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits and risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might happen. In such cases, your doctor may want to adjust the dose, or other precautions may be needed. When receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional knows if you are taking any of the following medicines. The following interactions are notable and are not necessarily a complete list.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may choose not to treat you with this medication or adjust some of the other medicines you are taking.

• Bromopride
• Potassium Citrate

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be taken close to meal times or with certain types of food due to potential interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Other medical conditions may affect how this medicine works. Make sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical issues, especially:

• Dehydration or
• Electrolyte imbalance (high or low levels of minerals in the blood) or
• High fever or
• Severe intestinal infection—these may worsen side effects.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do, they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

• Body spasm, with head and heels bent backward and body bowed forward
• convulsions (seizures)
• depression
• shakiness or tremors
• skin rash
• sore throat or fever
• unusual tiredness
• vomiting (severe or continuing)
• yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Drowsiness

Less common

• Blurred vision
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• headache
• muscle cramps

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Arrestin
• Benzacot
• Stemetic
• Ticon
• Tigan
• Tribenzagan

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antiemetic

Pharmacologic Class: Anticholinergic

Trimethobenzamide is only used to relieve or prevent nausea and vomiting. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles.

Your doctor may only give you a few doses of this medicine until your condition improves, and then may switch you to an oral medicine that works the same way. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor.