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This medication is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, Wilson\'s disease (a condition in which high levels of copper in the body cause damage to the liver, brain, and other organs), and a certain disorder which causes kidney stones (cystinuria). For the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, penicillamine is known as a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). It helps to decrease pain/tenderness/swelling in the joints. For the treatment of Wilson\'s disease, penicillamine binds to copper and helps it to be removed from the body. Decreasing copper levels helps to improve liver function and the mental/mood/nerve problems (such as confusion, difficulty speaking/walking) caused by the disease. For the treatment of cystinuria, penicillamine helps to decrease the amount of a certain substance (cystine) in the urine which can cause kidney stones.
OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.
This drug may also be used to treat lead poisoning.
How to use Cuprimine Oral
Take this medication by mouth on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after meals) as directed by your doctor. Take this medication at least 1 hour apart from other drugs (especially antacids), milk, or food.
Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each day.
Your doctor may also direct you to take vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and iron. Follow your doctor\'s instructions carefully. If you need to take iron or other products that contain minerals (such as zinc), take it at least 2 hours before or after taking penicillamine. Consult your doctor before taking any products containing minerals since they may block the absorption of penicillamine.
For the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, it may take 2 to 3 months before you see any improvement in your condition.
For the treatment of Wilson\'s disease, follow the diet recommended by your doctor to get the most benefit from this medication. Your condition may not improve for 1 to 3 months and may actually get worse when you start this medication. Tell your doctor immediately if your condition continues to worsen after a month of treatment.
For the treatment of cystinuria, follow the diet recommended by your doctor to get the most benefit from this medication. Drink plenty of water unless your doctor directs you otherwise.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.
Stomach/abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and decreased sense of taste may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: signs of infection (such as fever, persistent sore throat, swollen lymph nodes), easy bruising/bleeding, unusual tiredness, rapid breathing, skin blisters, mouth sores, new or worsening joint pain, thinning/wrinkling skin.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but serious side effects occur: change in the amount of urine, bloody urine, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, muscle weakness, eye problems (such as drooping eyelids, blurred vision), persistent nausea/vomiting, severe stomach/abdominal pain, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Before taking penicillamine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to penicillins; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: a previous severe reaction to penicillamine (such as aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis), kidney disease, blood/bone marrow disorders (such as thrombocytopenia).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Penicillamine is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. However, it may sometimes be used during pregnancy in certain situations (such as treating Wilson\'s disease). Consult your doctor for more details.
It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
See also How to Use section.
The effects of some drugs can change if you take other drugs or herbal products at the same time. This can increase your risk for serious side effects or may cause your medications not to work correctly. These drug interactions are possible, but do not always occur. Your doctor or pharmacist can often prevent or manage interactions by changing how you use your medications or by close monitoring.
To help your doctor and pharmacist give you the best care, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) before starting treatment with this product. While using this product, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any other medicines you are using without your doctor\'s approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug include: digoxin, gold salts (such as auranofin), drugs to treat malaria (such as chloroquine), phenylbutazone, other drugs that decrease bone marrow function (such as azathioprine, cancer chemotherapy, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole).
This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use. Share this list with your doctor and pharmacist to lessen your risk for serious medication problems.
If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.
NOTES:
Do not share this medication with others.
Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as complete blood count, hematocrit/hemoglobin, liver function, urine test, physical exam) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.
MISSED DOSE:
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
STORAGE:
Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
Information last revised May 2010. Copyright(c) 2010 First Databank, Inc.
