Cuprimine (Penicillamine) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug 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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Cuprimine Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking penicillamine (Cuprimine)?

You cannot take penicillamine if you have taken it in the past and it has damaged your blood cells.

Before taking penicillamine, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease or any other serious illness. You may not be able to take penicillamine, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during therapy.

Penicillamine may cause birth defects in an unborn baby. However, it has also been used during pregnancy with no evidence of defects. Penicillamine should not be used during pregnancy except to treat Wilson's disease and some cases of cystine in the urine. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether penicillamine passes into breast milk. Since penicillamine may harm a nursing infant, breast-feeding is not recommended during treatment with this medication.

How should I take penicillamine (Cuprimine)?

Take penicillamine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Penicillamine must be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a full meal, and at least 1 hour before or after any other drug, food, or milk. Taking penicillamine with anything else in the stomach greatly decreases its effectiveness.

Do not stop taking penicillamine without first talking to your doctor. Stopping therapy may cause your body to react abnormally when therapy is restarted. If you do stop taking the medication, do not restart without first talking to your doctor. You may need special monitoring.

Your doctor may want you to take a vitamin and mineral supplement during treatment with penicillamine. Penicillamine may reduce vitamin B6 and iron in the body. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Store penicillamine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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