What is penicillamine?
Penicillamine is a chelating agent. It attaches to other chemicals in the body, which aids in their removal.
Penicillamine is used to remove excess copper associated with Wilson's disease. It is also used to reduce cystine in the urine and to treat severe rheumatoid arthritis.
Penicillamine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about penicillamine?
Notify your doctor immediately if you develop fever; chills; a sore throat; unusual bruising or bleeding; blood in your urine, unexplained shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing; muscle weakness; or double vision. These symptoms could be early signs of dangerous side effects.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking penicillamine?
You cannot take penicillamine if you have taken it in the past and it has damaged your blood cells.
Before taking penicillamine, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease or any other serious illness. You may not be able to take penicillamine, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during therapy.
Penicillamine may cause birth defects in an unborn baby. However, it has also been used during pregnancy with no evidence of defects. Penicillamine should not be used during pregnancy except to treat Wilson's disease and some cases of cystine in the urine. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
It is not known whether penicillamine passes into breast milk. Since penicillamine may harm a nursing infant, breast-feeding is not recommended during treatment with this medication.