Depen

Kidney Calculi, Rheumatoid Arthritis, refractory Rheumatoid arthritis + 2 more

Treatment

9 FDA approvals

3 Active Studies for Depen

What is Depen

Penicillamine

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Penicillamine is a medication used to chelate, or bind to, certain metals in the body to remove them from circulation. It is derived from penicillin, but does not have any antibiotic properties. The drug form used is D-penicillamine, as the L-form is toxic and inhibits the action of pyridoxine.

Cuprimine

is the brand name

Depen 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 9 uses including Poisoning, Lead and Wilsons Disease .

Poisoning, Lead

Wilsons Disease

Helps manage Wilsons Disease

severe Rheumatoid arthritis

Helps manage severe Rheumatoid arthritis

refractory Rheumatoid arthritis

Helps manage refractory Rheumatoid arthritis

cystine renal calculi

Helps manage cystine renal calculi

Hepatolenticular Degeneration

Helps manage Wilsons Disease

Kidney Calculi

Helps manage cystine renal calculi

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Helps manage severe Rheumatoid arthritis

Lead Poisoning

Effectiveness

How Depen Affects Patients

Penicillamine is used to treat Wilson's disease, reduce the amount of cystine excretion in cystinuria, and to treat severe rheumatoid arthritis. The drug works by decreasing the activity of certain cells and hormones linked to inflammation in the body. It also binds to copper in Wilson's disease and helps the body remove it through urine.

How Depen works in the body

Penicillamine is used to remove excess copper in people with Wilson's disease. It also helps reduce cystine levels in people with cystinuria. In rheumatoid arthritis, it works by suppressing disease activity, but how it does this isn't clear. It reduces IgM rheumatoid factor, but doesn't affect normal levels of immunoglobulins. Unlike other drugs, it only suppresses T-cell activity, not B-cell activity.

When to interrupt dosage

The recommended dose of Depen is contingent upon the diagnosed condition, including cystine renal calculi, Poisoning, Lead and refractory Rheumatoid arthritis. The amount of dosage differs, based on the procedure of delivery detailed in the following table.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

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

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

Lead Poisoning

, 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

Hepatolenticular Degeneration

, 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

Kidney 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

Warnings

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Depen.

Common Depen 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.

Depen Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Depen?

5 active trials are currently underway to assess the potential of Depen in managing refractory Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Wilson's Disease.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Lead Poisoning

0 Actively Recruiting

Rheumatoid Arthritis

0 Actively Recruiting

Kidney Calculi

0 Actively Recruiting

refractory Rheumatoid arthritis

0 Actively Recruiting

Hepatolenticular Degeneration

3 Actively Recruiting

Not Applicable, Phase 1, Phase 2

Depen Reviews: What are patients saying about Depen?

5

Patient Review

8/4/2008

Depen for Inflammation of Blood Vessels with Rheumatoid Arthritis

My husband has been on this treatment since 1989 for a rare condition called scleroderma. It's worked wonders and we really feel like it saved his life. If you know anything about the condition, you'll know how serious it can be. This medication works on both the skin and internal organs, which is amazing. I hope this review helps someone out there.
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about depen

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Who makes Depen?

"This medication should be dispensed in a tight container. If you experience any adverse reactions, please contact Meda Pharmaceuticals Inc. at 1-800-526-3840 or the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch."

Answered by AI

What is the generic name for penicillamine?

"There are two different strengths of CUPRIMINE (Penicillamine) capsules available for oral administration - 125 mg and 250 mg."

Answered by AI

Is penicillamine an immunosuppressant?

"Penicillamine works by suppressing the immune system, which is responsible for the body's defense mechanisms. It is used to manage symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, Wilson's disease, and sometimes other conditions like scleroderma."

Answered by AI

What is Depen?

"Penicillamine (Depen) is a drug that helps remove excess copper from the body. It is used to treat Wilson's disease, a genetic disorder that causes copper to accumulate in the liver, brain, and other organs. It is also used to treat cystinuria, a condition that causes stones to form in the urinary tract, and RA, a form of arthritis."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Depen