Medication Information Leaflet

What is this medication for?

Trimetazidine belongs to the class of medications called fatty acid oxidation inhibitors. It is used to prevent and treat the symptoms of angina (chest pain), which is caused by lack of blood supply and oxygen to your heart. Trimetazidine helps to maintain the energy metabolism of heart muscle cells and protecting them from the effects of reduced oxygen supply.

When you take this medication regularly, it can help reduce the number of times you get angina.

How should I take or use this medication?

Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional. If you stop taking your medication, you may experience a worsening of your condition.

This medicine should be taken with or after food.

This medicine is available as an immediate-release or modified-release tablet. 

For modified-release tablet: Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, break or chew the tablet.

What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication.
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.
• You have kidney problems.
• You have Parkinson’s disease (a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement), tremors (uncontrollable shaking of limbs), restless leg syndrome (a condition that causes uncomfortable sensation in the legs and an uncontrollable urge to move them even when resting or when the body is not active, such as sitting or lying down) or other related movement disorders.

What are some common side effects of this medication?

• Nausea, vomiting
• Abdominal pain, indigestion
• Diarrhoea
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Feeling weak
• Rashes

Inform your healthcare professional if these side-effects do not go away and are affecting your daily life.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

Very rarely, trimetazidine may cause movement disturbances. These symptoms may include one or more of the following:

• Tremors
• Unsteady gait (shuffling or imbalance while walking)
• Uncontrollable body movement

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use this medication?

Some medications may interact with Trimetazidine and affect its effectiveness or increase the risk of side-effects, and vice versa. However, these medications may also be important for your treatment. Inform your healthcare professional of the other medications you are currently taking.  Examples include: 

• Metoclopramide, a medication used to treat vomiting or indigestion 

Consult your healthcare professional if you are unsure whether your existing medications can be taken together with this medication.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.

How do I throw away this medication safely?

Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.

Disclaimer

Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.

Last updated on March 2025