Penicillamine

cystine renal calculi, Rheumatoid Arthritis, refractory Rheumatoid arthritis + 2 more
Treatment
5 FDA approvals
2 Active Studies for Penicillamine

What is Penicillamine

PenicillamineThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryPenicillamine is a medication used to remove toxic metals from the body, such as lead, arsenic, and copper. It is an amino acid derived from penicillin, but does not have any antibiotic properties. It comes in the form of D-penicillamine and should not be confused with the toxic form, L-penicillamine.
Cuprimineis the brand name
image of different drug pills on a surface
Penicillamine 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 Penicillamine Affects PatientsPenicillamine is a drug used to treat Wilson's disease, cystinuria, and severe rheumatoid arthritis that does not respond to other treatments. It works by binding copper in the case of Wilson's disease, and by reducing inflammation and suppressing the immune system in the case of rheumatoid arthritis. Penicillamine also prevents collagen cross-linking and reduces the number of T-lymphocytes, which helps to control inflammation.
How Penicillamine works in the bodyPenicillamine is used to treat Wilson's Disease and cystinuria. It works by binding to copper and cystine molecules, making them easier to pass out of the body. Penicillamine also affects the formation of collagen molecules and suppresses activity in certain types of cells, leading to lower levels of inflammation in those with rheumatoid arthritis. It does this by reducing IgM rheumatoid factor, but does not affect the overall level of immunoglobulins. Penicillamine specifically targets T-cells but not B-cells.

When to interrupt dosage

The proposed dosage of Penicillamine is subject to the determined state, which includes cystine renal calculi, Poisoning, Lead and intractable Rheumatoid arthritis. The quantity of dosage varies as per the delivery technique noted in the table beneath.
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 Penicillamine.
Common Penicillamine 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.
image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

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

Currently, there are 5 active clinical trials analyzing the potential of Penicillamine to address refractory Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Wilsons 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

Penicillamine Reviews: What are patients saying about Penicillamine?

5Patient Review
11/15/2010
Penicillamine for Excessive Copper Deposits in the Liver and Brain
Penacillamine has been a life-saver for me. I've taken it for 36 years to manage Wilson's disease, and it's prevented any real copper build-up or associated tremors.
5Patient Review
9/11/2019
Penicillamine for Excessive Copper Deposits in the Liver and Brain
I've been taking this medication for 18 years now, and it has really helped to manage my condition with no negative side effects.
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about penicillamine

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

What is the mechanism of action of penicillamine?

"Penicillamine can bind with heavy metals such as copper, lead, and mercury to form a complex that can be removed from the body through the kidneys. Jun 14, 2022"

Answered by AI

What penicillamine is used for?

"Penicillamine is a medication used to treat Wilson's disease (too much copper in the body) and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as to prevent kidney stones. Your doctor may also prescribe penicillamine for other conditions."

Answered by AI

Is penicillamine an antibiotic?

"Penicillamine is used to treat Wilson's disease, cystinuria, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Penicillamine is a chelator in the form of D-penicillamine. L-penicillamine is toxic because it inhibits the action of pyridoxine. It is a metabolite of penicillin, but it has no antibiotic properties. Penicillamine is used to treat Wilson's disease, cystinuria, and rheumatoid arthritis."

Answered by AI

Is penicillamine a penicillin?

"Penicillamine is an d-isomer of dimethylcysteine and was originally isolated from the urine of patients with liver disease receiving penicillin."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Penicillamine