Wilson’s disease, a genetic illness that causes copper to build up in the body and may cause serious symptoms, and cystinuria are both treated with penicillamine (an inherited condition which can lead to kidney stones). It is also used in conjunction with other medicines to treat severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis, a disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks its own joints, resulting in discomfort, swelling, and loss of function. Penicillamine belongs to a group of drugs known as heavy metal antagonists. By attaching to extra copper in the body and causing it to pass out through the urine, it works to treat Wilson’s disease. By attaching to the material that causes kidney stones and preventing it from accumulating and producing stones, it treats cystinuria. It combats rheumatoid arthritis by reducing some immune system functions.

Penicillamine is available as a tablet and a capsule for oral consumption. It should typically be consumed on an empty stomach at least one hour before or two hours after a meal, as well as at least one hour before or after any type of food or milk. Penicillamine is often used four times per day to treat cystinuria and Wilson’s disease. It is typically given once daily to treat rheumatoid arthritis, although higher dosages allow for up to four daily doses. Based on your illness, how your body reacts to the drug, and any side effects you encounter, your doctor will advise you on how long you should receive therapy. Take penicillamine every day at around the same time(s). If there is anything you do not understand about the instructions on your prescription label, contact your doctor or pharmacist to clarify it. Follow the prescription for penicillamine exactly. Take it only as directed by your doctor, neither more nor less than that amount or more frequently.

Most likely, your doctor will start you on a low dose of penicillamine and then gradually increase it.

Before you experience the full benefits of penicillamine for the treatment of Wilson’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis, it could take one to three months or longer. Even if you feel well, keep taking penicillamine for all purposes. Even if your symptoms get worse, do not discontinue taking penicillamine without first consulting your doctor. When you resume taking penicillamine after stopping it, there is a higher chance that you will have an allergic response.

During your penicillamine treatment, be sure to let your doctor know how you are feeling. Depending on the side effects you experience, your doctor may treat you with additional medications, postpone, lower, or discontinue your therapy.

In some cases, penicillamine is used to treat lead poisoning that has already been treated with other drugs. Certain forms of liver illness are occasionally also treated with it. The dangers of using this drug for your illness should be discussed with your doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking penicillamine,

• If you have an allergy to penicillamine, penicillin, any other drugs, or any of the substances in penicillamine capsules or tablets, let your doctor and pharmacist know right away. Request a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products that you are now taking or intend to use. Incorporate any of the following: Antimalarial drugs like chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil); gold compounds like auranofin (Ridaura) and aurothioglucose (Solganol); and some immunosuppressants like azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran), and methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Trexall, Xatmep). Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects. Inform your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those not on this list, as many other drugs may also interact with penicillamine.
• Take any iron-containing medications 2 hours before or after penicillamine if you’re taking them. Take any other medications, antacids, or zinc-containing products an hour before or after taking penicillamine if you must.
• If you have ever taken penicillamine and experienced a serious blood-related adverse effect, let your doctor know. You won’t be allowed to take penicillamine again, according to your doctor.
• Inform your doctor if you have or have previously had kidney disease as well as any significant reactions to gold compounds.
• If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, let your doctor know right once. Call your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking penicillamine.
• Describe to your doctor if you are nursing a baby. If you are getting penicillamine medication, you shouldn’t breastfeed.
• Inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking penicillamine if you are getting surgery, including dental surgery.
• During your penicillamine treatment, your doctor probably likely advise you to take pyridoxine (vitamin B6) supplements.

Your doctor will likely advise a particular diet low in copper for you if you are treating Wilson’s disease. This diet forgoes cereals, nutritional supplements, chocolate, almonds, shellfish, mushrooms, liver, molasses, broccoli, and other items high in copper. In addition, your doctor could advise drinking demineralized or distilled water rather than normal tap water. Make careful to abide by all dietary advice given to you by your doctor.

Your doctor could suggest a particular diet reduced in methionine for you if you are receiving treatment for cystinuria (a type of protein). However, your doctor might not suggest this diet if you are a youngster or pregnant. It’s also likely that your doctor will advise you to have adequate drinks.

Unless your doctor advises you otherwise, keep eating the way you normally would while receiving treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Penicillamine could have negative effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Reduced appetite
• Alteration in the flavour of items
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdomen ache
• Skin wrinkling
• Changing nails

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs or symptoms:

• Hives, skin rashes, swelling of the lymph nodes, fever, joint ache, or skin flakes.
• Blisters and sores on the lips, genitalia, and skin that are uncomfortable or irritating
• Chills, a fever, a sore throat, and any unusual bruising or bleeding
• Wheezing, an inexplicable cough, or shortness of breath
• Urine that is frothy, crimson, brown, or bloody.
• Double vision, drooping eyelids, or muscle weakness

Other negative effects of penicillamine are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. To monitor your body’s reaction to penicillamine, your doctor will request specific lab tests.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.