Depen (Penicillamine) for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Overview
Depen is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people with severe, active rheumatoid arthritis who have failed to respond to conventional therapy. Depen is also referred to by its drug name, penicillamine. Penicillamine is also sold under the brand name Cuprimine.

In cases of rheumatoid arthritis, Depen is used as a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD). Depen is believed to work by inhibiting immune system processes that involve inflammation and scar tissue formation.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Depen is taken orally once daily.

Depen is available as a tablet.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Depen lists common side effects including itching, joint pain, fever, rashes, lupus-like syndrome, loss of appetite, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Depen can include blood disorders, low blood cell counts, kidney damage, myasthenia gravis, and Goodpasture’s syndrome.

For more information, visit:

Depen — Drugs.com
https://www.drugs.com/mtm/depen.html

Penicillamine — MedlinePlus
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a618021.html