Triethylenetetramine is a copper chelating agent used for the management of Wilson's disease in cases where penicillamine therapy is clinically inappropriate. Triethylenetatramine (TETA), also known as trientine, is a potent and selective copper (II)-selective chelator.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 5 references
Wilson's disease is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder that leads to copper accumulation in the tissues. It is characterized by an array of neurologic or psychiatric symptoms as well as liver disease. One of the treatments for Wilson's disease is the use of copper-chelating agents, such as triethylenetetramine (TETA). TETA forms a stable complex with copper(II), which is then is readily eliminated through urinary excretion. TETA also chelates copper in the intestinal tract, reducing intestinal copper absorption by 80%. TETA and its metabolite, N1-acetyltriethylenetetramine (MAT), are also capable of binding divalent iron, divalent zinc, magnesium, and manganese.
- Primary indication
- Triethylenetetramine is a copper chelator indicated for the treatment of adult patients with stable Wilson’s disease who are de-coppered and tolerant to penicillamine.Curator reviewed · 1 structured indication
- Formula / weight
- C6H18N4 · 146.2339 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 2020 · United States, 1985 · European Union, 2020
- Also known as
- TETA · Trien · Trientine
- Code names
- GC811007
- Brand names
Resolves to
VILCJCGEZXAXTO-UHFFFAOYSA-NSMILESNCCNCCNCCNWhat you can answer from here — as of September 11, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Triethylenetetramine, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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