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Home > Medicines & Drugs > Penicillamine

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Penicillamine

  • Take your doses 30 minutes to an hour before meals or at bedtime.
  • Before buying any medicines, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice. This includes vitamins and pain killers.
  • If you experience a sore throat, fever, flu-like symptoms, mouth ulcers, a skin rash, unexplained bruising or bleeding, or if you notice blood in your urine, speak with your doctor immediately.

About penicillamine

Type of medicineDisease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD).
Used forRheumatoid arthritis and juvenile arthritis
Wilson's disease (a genetic disorder in which copper builds up in the body)
Cystinuria (a condition where cystine crystals build up in the kidneys and bladder)
Chronic active hepatitis
Also calledDistamine®
Available asTablets

Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition caused by the body's own immune system attacking itself. Penicillamine works by suppressing the immune system's over-reaction although the exact way in which it does this is not fully understood.

Penicillamine is used to relieve pain and inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile arthritis. Penicillamine helps to relieve these symptoms and slows down the progress of the rheumatoid arthritis; it does not cure the disease.

Penicillamine works in Wilson's disease by binding with copper metal ions to form complexes which allow the copper to be more easily removed from the body.

It works in cystinuria by reducing the concentration of cystine in the urine. This prevents the formation of the crystals which form stones in the kidney and bladder and helps dissolve any existing stones.

Before taking penicillamine

Before taking penicillamine make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
  • If you suffer from kidney problems.
  • If you suffer from lupus erythematosus.
  • If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal or complementary medicines.
  • If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine.

How to take penicillamine

  • Before beginning treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet.
  • Take penicillamine exactly as directed by your doctor. Take your doses half to one hour before food or at bedtime.
  • Try to take penicillamine at the same times each day to avoid missing any doses.
  • If you forget to take a dose, take one as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up. If in doubt, speak to your pharmacist or doctor.

Getting the most from your treatment

  • Before buying any medicines (including common 'painkillers'), check with your pharmacist which are safe for you to take alongside penicillamine.
  • Important: do not take any vitamins or mineral supplements without consulting your doctor first.
  • Avoid taking indigestion remedies or medicines containing iron or zinc at the same time as penicillamine. They may be taken at least two hours before or two hours after a dose of penicillamine.
  • Penicillamine gradually builds up its effects, so you are not likely to notice any improvement in your condition until after 6 to 12 weeks of treatment.
  • If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking penicillamine.
  • Keep your regular appointments so that your progress can be monitored, you will need to have regular blood tests while taking this medicine.
  • Do not stop taking this medicine without speaking to your doctor first.

Can penicillamine cause problems?

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicineWhat can I do if I experience this
Feeling or being sick, loss of appetiteTake your penicillamine before food or at bedtime. Eat little and often, and stick to simple foods.
Loss of tasteThis may occur several weeks after starting penicillamine but usually improves several weeks later

Important: If you experience a sore throat, fever, flu-like symptoms, mouth ulcers, a skin rash, unexplained bruising or bleeding, or if you notice blood in your urine, speak with your doctor immediately or go to your local accident and emergency department without delay.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store penicillamine

  • Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines


  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine, go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Take the container with you, even if it is empty.
  • This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
  • Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
  • If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.

References

  • Manufacturer's PIL, Distamine®, Alliance Pharmaceuticals, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated May 2008, accessed March 2009.
  • British National Formulary; 57th Edition (March 2009) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London (link to current BNF).
Comprehensive patient resources are available at www.patient.co.uk
© EMIS 2009DocID: 3254DocRef: dils2140Last Reviewed: 12 May 2009Version: 22
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