Toxicity of penicillamine. A serious limitation to therapy in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

A retrospective study of penicillamine toxicity in 156 patients yielded a high incidence of toxic reaction (62%), necessitating discontinuation of the drug therapy in 36% of the patients. Of the total group, proteinuria occurred in 14%, hematologic toxic reaction in 11%, mucocutaneous toxic reaction in 28%, and gastrointestinal intolerance in 12%.