Struggling to Afford Trientine (Syprine®) for Wilson’s Disease? Here’s How You Can Access It Affordably in Your Country

Summary - This blog provides the latest updates as of October 2025 on the use of Generic Trientine for Wilson’s disease. It offers information on legal pathways to access Trientine affordably when the branded drug is costly or locally unavailable.

Wilson’s disease is a rare genetic disorder where the body cannot properly get rid of excess copper. Without proper treatment and medical guidance, Wilson’s disease is life-threatening, as prolonged copper buildup can cause organ damage. For patients who cannot tolerate penicillamine, Trientine is a life-saving option. It helps to remove excess copper and manage symptoms more effectively and safely.

This article provides a step-by-step guide addressing all your doubts regarding Trientine, including ways to source it at an affordable cost.

Why is Trientine prescribed and how does it work?

Trientine is prescribed for Wilson’s disease, a rare genetic condition that causes excess copper accumulation in the body. If it is left untreated, it can damage the liver, brain, and nervous system, leading to life-threatening complications. 

Most patients are prescribed either Penicillamine or Trientine, depending on their tolerance. Both these medicines help remove excess copper from the body as a chelating agent.

Trientine is considered a safe alternative to penicillamine, as it has slightly fewer side effects.

How much does Trientine cost?

Syprine®, the branded version of Trientine, costs over $20K for 100 capsules (250mg) in the U.S. A generic version of Trientine is also available, but at $3K for 100 capsules, it is still quite unaffordable for many patients.

Why is Trientine so expensive?

1. Rare Disease Designation

Wilson's Disease affects fewer people worldwide; hence, its medicines are classified as orphan drugs. These meds often come with limited competition and high development incentives, increasing the price.

2. Brand Monopolies

In some regions, only one or two companies hold the marketing rights, especially for trientine formulations. Without generic competition, prices remain high.

3. Local Unavailability

Some countries have no local distributors or only carry the medicines in hospital settings, which may not be reimbursed by insurance or public health systems.

4. High Mark-Ups and Distribution Costs

Even when generics are available internationally, local prices can include importer markups, logistics fees, and pharmacy handling costs, pushing prices far beyond manufacturing costs.

Are there any programs available in the U.S. to make Syprine® more affordable?

For Syprine®, there is a WD Rx Access Program (by Bausch) that offers copay assistance for patients who have commercial insurance. For those without insurance or who don’t qualify for the copay program, Bausch provides a Patient Assistance Program (PAP) that supplies the med for free to eligible patients. 

For those who don’t qualify for the above programs, affordable generics available in countries like India offer some hope.

Can patients access affordable generic Trientine from other countries?

Yes, patients can access generic Trientine available in other countries through compliant personal importation programs. Many countries permit the personal importation of affordable life-saving medicines from other geographies when local options are unaffordable, unavailable, or unsuitable for a patient. MedsPartner facilitates compliant personal imports of affordable Trientine for patients with a valid prescription from a local healthcare professional and other essential documents required as per the patient’s local laws.

Cost of Branded Syprine® vs. Generic Trientine

The following table shows the massive price difference between branded Syprine® and Generic Trientine available via MedsPartner. MedsPartner offers trusted generics produced by FDA/EMA-approved manufacturers in India. Generic Trientine from MedsPartner also offers significant cost savings over generic versions available in the US. As demonstrated below.

What Happens When Families Turn to MedsPartner for Rare Disease Medicines Like Trientine?

In early 2024, a family in the USA reached out to MedsPartner. Their son Luke (name changed for privacy purposes) had been diagnosed with Wilson’s disease at the age of 14, and Trientine was prescribed after he developed severe side effects from penicillamine. 

While the treatment was life-saving, the cost of branded Trientine (Syprine®) in the USA was financially devastating and made them helpless! Despite both parents working full-time, the treatment and the high cost were impossible to manage. The insurance company refused to cover it since Trientine was not part of the standard formulary for their plan. According to Luke’s family, they initially tried applying to a hospital compassionate-use program, but the waiting list was long, and approvals were uncertain, which in turn had made them anxious.

That’s when they discovered MedsPartner through a patient advocacy group on LinkedIn. Within 3 weeks, the family received their first shipment of generic Trientine from MedsPartner, helping them with affordable Wilson’s disease treatment for their son.

Since then, Luke has been stable on the medication for nearly a year, with regular monitoring confirming the treatment’s effectiveness. His parents shared:

“MedsPartner didn’t just help us access affordable Trientine; they gave us hope. The process was transparent, safe, and supportive at every stage. We can now focus on our son’s health instead of drowning in medical debt.”

Answering your FAQs on Wilson’s Disease & Trientine

Q1. Is generic Trientine as effective as branded Syprine®?

Answer - Generic trientine available via MedsPartner is considered as effective as branded Syprine®. It has the same active ingredient, strength, and safety as the branded drug. As they are bioequivalent, they work just as well in controlling the disease.

Q2. Can Wilson’s disease be cured?

Answer - While Wilson’s has no cure, treatments are available to manage the disease. Fortunately, with early diagnosis and consistent treatment, people with Wilson's Disease can live full and healthy lives. 

Q3. How is Wilson’s Disease treated?

Answer - Wilson’s Disease is treated with lifelong therapy to reduce copper levels in the body and prevent organ damage. Chelating Agents are used to bind excess copper and help remove it from the body through urine. Trientine (Syprine®) is often preferred today due to fewer side effects.

Q4. Is it legal to import Trientine into my country?

Answer -  In many countries, yes, if done under personal importation rules with a valid prescription. Regulations vary, so professional guidance is essential. You can contact MedsPartner for more details.

Q5. How do I ensure that the Trientine I receive is safe and genuine?

Answer - With over 9 years of experience and more than 30,000 patients served globally, MedsPartner has built a reputation for safe, ethical, and reliable access to medicines. Every order is backed by prescription verification by a pharmacist, quality checks, end-to-end tracking, and is delivered at your doorstep safely! We are trusted by patients globally and have a 4-star rating on TrustPilot.

Q6. How can I be sure that the medications I receive through MedsPartner are safe and reliable?

Answer - All the meds you purchase from MedsPartner are sourced from FDA or EMA-approved manufacturers. Every order undergoes strict quality verification to ensure authenticity and safety. You can trust that the generics you receive meet the same standards as branded medicines and are 100% genuine.

Is There a Way to Get Trientine Without Paying a Fortune?

Trientine is a lifesaver for those living with Wilson's Disease, but the high cost can be a barrier for many. On the bright side, there are affordable and safe options available in countries like India, which are accessible to international patients through personal importation. At MedsPartner, we assist patients who are facing financial hurdles in accessing these safe and effective medications.

Looking to access Trientine at an affordable price? Or need guidance on personal importation?

Write to us today to explore safe and affordable ways to purchase affordable versions of the drugs for Wilson's disease.

About the Author - Aayyush Goyal has a background in healthcare consulting and pharmaceutical supply chains, with over a decade of experience in drug pricing, regulatory policy, and patient rights. He has advised patients, advocacy groups, and healthcare providers across 40+ countries on safe and compliant access to essential medicines. Through MedsPartner, Aayyush has overseen more than 30,000 successful patient deliveries worldwide, ensuring affordability without compromising safety or legality. He is a recognized advocate for ethical sourcing, generic access, and cross-border care solutions, and has contributed insights on global drug access in healthcare forums, media publications, and patient support networks.