Sections View Full Chapter Figures Tables Videos Annotate Full Chapter Figures Tables Videos Supplementary Content +++ INTRODUCTION ++ Pharmacology. Penicillamine is a derivative of penicillin that has no antimicrobial activity but effectively chelates some heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, and copper. It has been used as adjunctive therapy after initial treatment with calcium EDTA or BAL (dimercaprol), although it largely has been replaced by the oral chelator succimer (DMSA) because of its poor safety profile. Penicillamine is well absorbed orally, and the penicillamine-metal complex is eliminated in the urine. No parenteral form is available. Indications Penicillamine may be used to treat heavy metal poisoning caused by lead or mercury, although oral succimer is preferable, as it may result in greater metal excretion with fewer adverse effects. unithiol may be an alternative to succimer for lead or mercury poisoning. For copper poisoning and treatment of Wilson disease to remove copper deposits in tissues. Penicillamine has also been used for arsenic, bismuth, and nickel poisoning, but it is not the agent of choice owing to its toxicity. Contraindications Penicillin allergy is a contraindication (penicillamine products may be contaminated with penicillin). Renal insufficiency is a relative contraindication because the complex is eliminated only through the urine. Concomitant administration with other hematopoiesis-depressant drugs (eg, gold salts, immunosuppressants, antimalarial agents, and phenylbutazone) is not recommended. Cadmium poisoning. Penicillamine may increase renal levels of cadmium and the potential for nephrotoxicity. Adverse effects. Black box warning: Due to high incidence of and fatalities associated with penicillamine-induced adverse effects, therapy must be closely monitored and patients warned to promptly report symptoms suggesting toxicity. Hypersensitivity reactions: rash, pruritus, drug fever, hematuria, antinuclear antibodies, Goodpasture's syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis, thyroiditis, and proteinuria. Bone marrow suppression and blood dyscrasias: Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, sideroblastic anemia, aplastic anemia, and agranulocytosis. Hepatitis and pancreatitis. Neurologic: Tinnitus, optic neuritis, peripheral motor and sensory neuropathy, and myasthenia gravis. Gastrointestinal: Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, and impairment of taste. Pulmonary: Obliterative bronchiolitis, bronchial asthma, alveolitis, pulmonary hemorrhage, interstitial pneumonitis, and pulmonary fibrosis. The requirement for pyridoxine is increased, and the patient may require daily supplementation (pyridoxine). Use in pregnancy. FDA Category D (Introduction). Birth defects have been associated with use during pregnancy. Drug or laboratory interactions Penicillamine may potentiate the hematopoiesis-depressant effects of drugs such as gold salts, immunosuppressants, antimalarial agents, and phenylbutazone. Several drugs (eg, antacids and ferrous sulfate) and food can reduce GI absorption of penicillamine substantially. Penicillamine may produce a false-positive test for ketones in the urine. Dosage and method of administration Penicillamine should be taken on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or at least 2 hours after meals and at bedtime. For patients with difficulty swallowing, penicillamine may be extemporaneously prepared as a suspension (see formulations) or be administered in 15–30 mL of chilled pureed fruit or fruit juice within 5 minutes of administration. The usual dose is 1-1.5 g/d (children: 20–30 mg/kg/d), administered in three or four divided doses. Initiating treatment at 25% of this dose and gradually increasing to the ... Your Access profile is currently affiliated with [InstitutionA] and is in the process of switching affiliations to [InstitutionB]. Please select how you would like to proceed. Keep the current affiliation with [InstitutionA] and continue with the Access profile sign in process Switch affiliation to [InstitutionB] and continue with the Access profile sign in process Get Free Access Through Your Institution Learn how to see if your library subscribes to McGraw Hill Medical products. Subscribe: Institutional or Individual Sign In Error: Incorrect UserName or Password Username Error: Please enter User Name Password Error: Please enter Password Sign in Forgot Password? Forgot Username? Download the Access App: iOS | Android Sign in via OpenAthens Sign in via Shibboleth You already have access! Please proceed to your institution's subscription. Create a free profile for additional features.