What does it do?

Penicillamine is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and sometimes other conditions.

Before you start

• Tell your doctor if you have kidney or blood problems, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to penicillin or any other medicine.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

How should you take it?

Take penicillamine with a glass of water on an empty stomach (at least one hour before or 2 hours after food). Do not take with milk.

What if you forget a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and carry on as normal. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Can you take other medicines?

Some medicines available without a prescription may react with penicillamine including:

• anti-inflammatories, such as diclofenac (e.g. Voltaren®) or ibuprofen (e.g. Nurofen®). These can also be found in some cold and flu medicines (e.g. Nurofen Cold and Flu®).
• antacids (e.g. Mylanta®)
• mineral supplements including calcium (e.g. Calci-Tab®), iron (e.g. Ferro-Tab®), zinc (e.g. Zincaps®) and magnesium

Tell your pharmacist or doctor about all medicines or treatments that you may be taking, including vitamins, herbal products or recreational drugs.

What side effects might you notice?

Side Effects	Recommended action
Symptoms of allergy including: skin rash, itching, swelling, trouble breathing Reduced number of blood cells that fight infections or help your blood to clot - symptoms include: fever, chills, sore throat or generally feeling unwell, or easy or unusual bruising or bleeding Joint aches and pains, muscle weakness	Tell your doctor immediately
Bloody or cloudy pee Sores on lips, in mouth or on tongue Anxiety, agitation Changes in vision Numbness or tingling of the fingers or toes	Tell your doctor
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, change of appetite, indigestion Changes in taste, hair loss or thinning	Tell your doctor if troublesome

If you notice any other effects, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

Other information:

• Do not take indigestion remedies, iron or calcium preparations within 2 hours of taking penicillamine.
• Penicillamine may affect your kidneys and blood. Regular blood and urine tests will be necessary to monitor these effects.
• If you are having surgery, it is important to tell your doctor that you are taking penicillamine.
• You may not notice the effects of penicillamine straight away – discuss this with your doctor.