Cuprimine (Penicillamine) Drug Overview of Side Effects and Precautions for Patients and Caregivers at RxList

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May 27, 2012

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Rheumatoid Arthritis »

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) facts

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that can cause chronic inflammation of the joints and other areas of the body.
Rheumatoid arthritis can affect people of all ages.
The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not known.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease, characterized by periods of disease flares and remissions.
In rheumatoid arthritis, multiple joints are usually, but not always, affected in a symmetrical pattern.
Chronic inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis can cause permanent joint destruction and deformity.
Damage to joints can occur early and does not correlate with the severity of symptoms.
The "rheumatoid factor" is an antibody that can be found in the blood of 80% of people with rheumatoid arthritis.
There is no known cure for rheumatoid arthritis.
The treatment of rheumato...

Read the Rheumatoid Arthritis article »

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SIDE EFFECTS: 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.

PRECAUTIONS: 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.