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What is Cuprimine
PenicillamineThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryPenicillamine is a drug used to treat heavy metal poisoning. It is a derivative of penicillin and is specifically the D-penicillamine form, as the L-penicillamine form is toxic and inhibits the action of pyridoxine. Penicillamine does not have any antibiotic properties.
Cuprimineis the brand name
Cuprimine Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Cuprimine
Penicillamine
1970
17
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Penicillamine, also known as Cuprimine, is approved by the FDA for 5 uses including Rheumatoid Arthritis and cystine renal calculi .Rheumatoid Arthritis
Helps manage severe Rheumatoid arthritis
cystine renal calculi
Helps manage cystine renal calculi
Wilsons Disease
Helps manage Wilsons Disease
refractory Rheumatoid arthritis
Helps manage refractory Rheumatoid arthritis
Poisoning, Lead
Effectiveness
How Cuprimine Affects PatientsPenicillamine is used to treat Wilson's disease, cystinuria, and severe rheumatoid arthritis. It works by removing copper from the body in Wilson's disease, and suppressing the immune system to reduce inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. Penicillamine also prevents collagen cross-linking and reduces the numbers of T-lymphocytes and IL-1 in the body.
How Cuprimine works in the bodyPenicillamine is used to remove excess copper from patients with Wilson's disease. It also helps reduce cystine in the urine of people with cystinuria by changing cystine into a more soluble form. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, it seems to decrease the activity of the disease, but it's unclear how this works. Penicillamine lowers the level of IgM rheumatoid factor, but doesn't affect other immune system proteins. It also suppresses T-cell activity but not B-cell activity.
When to interrupt dosage
The amount of Cuprimine is contingent upon the diagnosed affliction, for example cystine renal calculi, Poisoning, Lead and refractory Rheumatoid arthritis. The dosage likewise is contingent upon the method of delivery featured in the table below.Condition
Dosage
Administration
Poisoning, Lead
, 250.0 mg, 125.0 mg
Tablet, Oral, , Tablet - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral
Rheumatoid Arthritis
, 250.0 mg, 125.0 mg
Tablet, Oral, , Tablet - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral
cystine renal calculi
, 250.0 mg, 125.0 mg
Tablet, Oral, , Tablet - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral
refractory Rheumatoid arthritis
, 250.0 mg, 125.0 mg
Tablet, Oral, , Tablet - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral
Wilsons Disease
, 250.0 mg, 125.0 mg
Tablet, Oral, , Tablet - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral
Warnings
There are 20 known major drug interactions with Cuprimine.Common Cuprimine Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
2-Methoxyethanol
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Penicillamine is combined with 2-Methoxyethanol.
9-(N-methyl-L-isoleucine)-cyclosporin A
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Penicillamine is combined with 9-(N-methyl-L-isoleucine)-cyclosporin A.
Abatacept
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Penicillamine is combined with Abatacept.
Abetimus
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Penicillamine is combined with Abetimus.
Acteoside
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Penicillamine is combined with Acteoside.
Cuprimine Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Cuprimine?
Five active studies are currently examining the potential of Cuprimine in managing refractory Rheumatoid arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Wilson's Disease.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Wilsons Disease
2 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 2
Poisoning, Lead
0 Actively Recruiting
Rheumatoid Arthritis
0 Actively Recruiting
refractory Rheumatoid arthritis
0 Actively Recruiting
cystine renal calculi
0 Actively Recruiting
Cuprimine Reviews: What are patients saying about Cuprimine?
4.7Patient Review
12/5/2009 Overall, this has worked well for me in addressing flare-ups.
4.3Patient Review
9/30/2018 I've been taking this medication for Wilson's Disease since 1966. It's truly a life-saver and I'm grateful to be alive and well enough to write a review about it all these years later.
3.7Patient Review
7/29/2013 The only downside to Cuprimine is the price. I'm on Medicare, and the cost of a 60-pill prescription has increased by $300 since January 2020. The drug works great for me, but I feel taken advantage of because I need to keep taking it.
3.7Patient Review
1/31/2016 Nausea was a big issue when I first started this treatment, but it's helped my kidney stones form more slowly.
Patient Q&A Section about cuprimine
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.What is the function of penicillamine?
"Penicillamine is a medication that helps to treat Wilson's disease. It works by binding to extra copper in the body and causing it to be excreted in urine."
Answered by AI
What is the drug Cuprimine used to treat?
"CUPRIMINE is a drug used to treat Wilson's disease, cystinuria, and severe active rheumatoid arthritis. Wilson's disease is a condition where there is too much copper in the body. Cystinuria is a condition where there is an excess amount of certain proteins in the urine. Severe active rheumatoid arthritis is a form of arthritis that does not respond to other forms of treatment."
Answered by AI
What is the side effect of penicillamine?
"Side effects that are commonly seen include an upset stomach, itching skin or a rash, nausea, loss of taste, stomach pain, not feeling hungry, and diarrhea. Lab results may show that there is protein in the urine, low white blood cells, and low platelets."
Answered by AI
What is penicillamine an antidote for?
"The drug penicillamine has been approved by the FDA as a treatment for Wilson disease and cystinuria, and is also sometimes used as an off-label treatment for lead poisoning in children. It is classified as a conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)."
Answered by AI