Brand Names

How to Use

Since penicillamine is taken in various ways for various medical problems, it is very important that you understand exactly why you are taking this drug and how to take it. See below for information on specific medical problems. If you have any questions about this, check with your family doctor.

For diseaseds taking this drug to prevent kidney stones :

• Take this drug on an empty stomach - at least 1 hour before meals or 2 hours after meals and at least 1 hour before or after any other food, milk, or drug.
• You must drink 2 full glasses - 8 ounces each of water at bedtime and another 2 full glasses - 8 ounces each during the night.
• The best for you that you follow any special instructions from your family doctor, such as following a low-methionine diet. If you have any questions about this, check with your family doctor.

For diseaseds taking this drug for rheumatoid arthritis :

• Take this drug on an empty stomach - at least 1 hour before meals or 2 hours after meals and at least 1 hour before or after any other food, milk, or drug.
• After you begin taking this drug, 2 to 3 months may pass before you feel its effects. The best for you that you keep taking the drug, even if you do not feel better, in order to give it time to work.

For diseaseds taking this drug for Wilson's disease :

• Take this drug on an empty stomach - at least 1/2 to 1 hour before meals or 2 hours after meals.
• The best for you that you follow any special instructions from your family doctor, such as following a low-copper diet. If you have any questions about this, check with your family doctor.
• After you begin taking this drug, 1 to 3 months may pass before you notice any improvement in your condition.

For diseaseds taking this drug for lead poisoning :

• Take this drug on an empty stomach - 2 hours before meals or at least 3 hours after meals.

For all diseaseds :

• Take this drug regularly as directed. Do not stop taking it without first checking with your family doctor , since stopping the drug and then restarting it may increase the possibility of side effects.

Dosage

• For oral dosage forms - capsules or tablets:
  • For Wilson's disease - too much copper in the body:
    • Adults and teenagers At first, 250 milligrams - mg four times a day. After a while your family doctor may need to increase the dose, depending on the amount of copper in your urine. Most people don't needed more than 2000 mg a day - two 250-mg capsules or tablets four times a day.
    • Children - older than 6 months of age At first, 250 mg a day. After a while your family doctor may need to increase the dose, depending on the amount of copper in your urine. Older children may need the same dose as adults.
  • For rheumatoid arthritis:
    • Adults At first, 125 or 250 mg once a day. Your family doctor may increase the dose after a few months, depending on how well the drug is working and whether it causes any side effects. The largest dose is not more than 1500 mg a day - two 250-mg capsules or tablets three times a day.
    • Children Use and dose must be determined by your family doctor.
  • For preventing kidney stones:
    • Adults At first, 500 mg - two 250-mg capsules or tablets four times a day. After a while your family doctor may need to change the dose, depending on the results of your urine tests. Some people may need as much as 4000 mg a day - four 250-mg capsules or tablets four times a day.
    • Children The dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your family doctor. At first, 7.5 mg per kilogram - kg - about 3.5 mg per pound of body weight four times a day. After a while your family doctor may need to change the dose, depending on the results of your urine tests.

Missed dose If you miss a dose of this drug and your dosing schedule is:

• One dose a day Take the missed dose as soon as possible. But if you do not remember the missed dose until the next day, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the next day's dose.
• Two doses a day Take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
• More than two doses a day If you remember within an hour or so of the missed dose, take it right away. But if you do not remember until later, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

If you have any questions about this, check with your family doctor.

Storage To store this drug:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store this drug in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the drug to break down.
• Do not keep outdated drug or drug no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded drug is out of the reach of children.