CUPRIMINE

CUPRIMINE is the brand name for penicillamine and is available as an oral capsule.

CUPRIMINE is available as a 250 mg oral capsule.

CUPRIMINE is a chelating agent and is used for the following:

• Wilson’s disease
• Cystinuria
• Severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) when other medications haven’t worked well

CUPRIMINE is a chelating agent, meaning that it attaches to heavy metals in your body. It helps your body get rid of certain substances that cause Wilson’s disease and cystinuria. Wilson’s disease is a genetic condition that causes copper to build up in your liver, brain, and other organs. Penicillamine (Depen) attaches to the copper so your body can remove it through your urine. Cystinuria is a genetic condition that causes stones made of cystine (a protein) to form in your kidneys and bladder. Penicillamine (Depen) lowers the amount of cystine in your urine by attaching to it and forming a substance that your body can get rid of more easily. This lowers your risk of forming kidney stones and can help dissolve stones that are already formed. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a condition where your body’s immune system attacks your joints, which causes swelling and pain. The way penicillamine (Depen) works to help treat RA isn’t known.

CUPRIMINE is dosed as follows:

• This medication is available as tablets and capsules. Take penicillamine (Depen) on an empty stomach and separate from other foods or medications that contain certain minerals. See Pharmacist Tips for more details on how to take penicillamine (Depen)

Wilson’s disease

• Adults: Typically, your dose will depend on how much copper is in your urine and blood. The dose is usually between 750 mg and 1,500 mg taken by mouth every day, split into two doses. If you aren’t tolerating higher doses, you might start with 250 mg per day, and then your provider can raise your dose slowly to avoid side effects

Children: Ask your child’s provider about the appropriate dose your child should take.

Cystinuria

• Adults: The typical dose is 1 to 4 grams taken by mouth every day, split into four doses throughout the day. You might start at a dose of 250 mg every day. Then, your provider can raise the dose slowly. This helps better control how well the medication works and avoid side effects
• Children: The dose will depend on your child’s body weight. The typical dose is 30 mg/kg of weight taken by mouth every day, split into four doses throughout the day

Rheumatoid arthritis

• Adults: The typical starting dose is 125 mg or 250 mg taken by mouth every day. Depending on how you respond to the medication, your provider might slowly raise your dose to a typical maintenance dose range of 500 mg to 700 mg per day. Dosages of more than 500 mg per day should be split into multiple doses throughout the day
• Children: It isn’t known if penicillamine (Depen) works well in children with juvenile RA. Ask your child’s provider about alternative medications

CUPRIMINE is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. Except for the treatment of Wilson’s disease or certain patients with cystinuria, use of penicillamine during pregnancy is contraindicated. Although breast milk studies have not been reported in animals or humans, mothers on therapy with
penicillamine should not nurse their infants. Patients with a history of penicillamine-related aplastic anemia or agranulocytosis should not be restarted on penicillamine.
Because of its potential for causing renal damage, penicillamine should not be administered to
rheumatoid arthritis patients with a history or other evidence of renal insufficiency.

Common side effects of CUPRIMINE:

• Stomach problems, such as loss of appetite, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Total or partial loss of taste
• Protein in urine
• Rash

Serious side effects are rare with CUPRIMINE. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

• Low white blood cells: getting fevers, sore throat, or chills too often or if they don’t go away
• Low platelets: bruising, bleeding
• Kidney damage: blood in your urine

There are no major drug interactions listed for CUPRIMINE. However, always let your physician and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking.

Bausch Health

CUPRIMINE can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Except for the treatment of Wilson’s disease or certain patients with cystinuria, use of CUPRIMINE
during pregnancy is contraindicated.

• penicillamine