Have you ever experienced the discomfort of severe nausea and vomiting after surgery or due to an illness? At that time, you don't even feel like eating or drinking, and you feel like your whole body is going to die. Today, we are talking about a very useful vaccine that doctors give to patients, although many people don't know the exact name.
What is this Trimethobenzamide vaccine?
Simply put, Trimethobenzamide is a medicine that helps control your nausea and vomiting. We medically call these types of medicines antiemetics .
Here's how it works: Our brain and body have chemicals that send signals to tell us to "go throw up." What this vaccine does is block those signals. In other words, it stops the messenger that carries the nausea-inducing message. This drug is also known by the brand name Tigan.
The important thing is, this is not a medicine you can buy at a pharmacy. This is an injection that is given into your muscle (intramuscularly) by a medical professional in a hospital or clinic.
Things you need to tell your doctor before getting this vaccine
Before giving you this vaccine, your doctor will need to know your complete health history. Be sure to tell them about any of the following:
- Kidney or Liver Disease: If you have any kidney or liver disease, it is essential to inform your doctor about it, as it may take longer for this medicine to leave your body.
- Allergies: Tell us if you have had any previous allergies, not just to Trimethobenzamide, but to any other medicine, food, dye, or preservative.
- Pregnancy: If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, it is very important to tell your doctor as this medicine may affect the baby.
Imagine you have a small rash from a painkiller you used before. Even if it seems like a small thing to you, that information will help the doctor treat you safely. So don't hide anything.
What to do if you overdose?
Since this is given in a hospital, the chance of an overdose is very low. However, if you think something has happened, such as excessive sleepiness or uncontrollable shaking, please inform the staff immediately.
In our country, if you suspect ingestion of any medicine or poison, you can call the National Poison Information Center at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Other things that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
Some medications can cause dangerous side effects when taken with Trimethobenzamide. Therefore, you should tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including painkillers, sleeping pills, vitamins, and even Ayurvedic medicines.
| Interaction Type | Examples and descriptions |
|---|---|
| Things that should never be taken together | Phenothiazines: These are a type of medication used to treat mental illness and severe nausea. Examples: Drugs like chlorpromazine and prochlorperazine. These can cause serious side effects when taken together. |
| Things to use with caution |
|
Things to consider after getting vaccinated
The medical staff will monitor your condition closely after receiving this vaccine, but it's important for you to be aware of these things as well.
- Dizziness and drowsiness: This medicine may make you feel drowsy, dizzy, and slightly impaired. Therefore, do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.
- Changing positions: You may feel dizzy when you suddenly stand up from a sitting position, or when you get up from bed. To avoid this, take your time when changing positions, and do it slowly.
Possible side effects
Like any medication, this one can have side effects. Some are serious, some are common. It's important for you and your doctor to be aware of these.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor or nurse immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Symptoms of Liver Injury | Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, pale stools, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin, and extreme fatigue. |
| Seizures | Sudden convulsions. |
| Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS) | This is a bit more complicated. It involves uncontrolled movements of body parts (especially the face, neck, and hands), tremors, muscle stiffness, shuffling of the feet when walking, and restlessness. |
| Mental changes | Increased feelings of frustration and depression. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious (but tell your doctor if they persist) | |
| Blurry Vision | Things are not clearly visible. |
| Other features | Dizziness , headache, diarrhea, muscle pain or weakness. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you notice anything unusual in addition to these, tell your doctor about it.
Take-Home Message
- Trimethobenzamide is a shot given in a hospital for nausea and vomiting, not a medicine you can take home.
- Before receiving this vaccine, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all other medications you are taking.
- You may feel drowsy and dizzy after receiving the vaccine. Therefore, avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving, until you have fully recovered.
- Avoid taking alcohol and some medications that cause drowsiness with this vaccine.
- If you experience any serious side effects such as skin rash, facial swelling, or uncontrollable shaking, notify medical staff immediately.
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