DRUGS FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS TREATMENT: PENICILLAMINE AND GOLD

What is penicillamine?
Penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen) is a chelating agent, which means that it binds metals in the blood and aids in their removal. It is very effective in treating RA, but it also has some toxicity, including muscle weakness, a lupus-like syndrome of the kidney (protein in the urine), and other effects on the blood counts. It is not related to the antibiotic penicillin.
This drug is modestly useful in patients with RA. It used to be the standard of care but has been replaced by newer agents.
The drug decreases the formation of antibodies, stops the white cells in their tracks, decreases the function of the T cells, and removes damaging molecules called free radicals.
Gold used to treat RA
Gold therapy is an old remedy that still has a place in the treatment of RA. In fact, many doctors feel that gold therapy can induce a complete remission of the disease.
There are injectable forms of gold and an oral form to treat RA. The oral form is less effective than the injectable form.
As with all drugs, gold therapy has its problems. It may cause mouth ulcers, rashes, protein in the urine, and, rarely, low platelets (blood-clotting particles) and a low white cell count.
The usual dose of injectable gold is a test dose of 10 milligrams, followed one week later by 25 milligrams once a week for two weeks, and then 50 milligrams weekly for up to 20 weeks. It can be given longer if the patient has a dramatic remission.
Your doctor will keep a record of your injections and test you before each new dose. The doctor will take urine and a blood count to make sure that all is well.
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DRUGS FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS TREATMENT: PENICILLAMINE AND GOLDWhat is penicillamine?Penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen) is a chelating agent, which means that it binds metals in the blood and aids in their removal. It is very effective in treating RA, but it also has some toxicity, including muscle weakness, a lupus-like syndrome of the kidney (protein in the urine), and other effects on the blood counts. It is not related to the antibiotic penicillin.This drug is modestly useful in patients with RA. It used to be the standard of care but has been replaced by newer agents.The drug decreases the formation of antibodies, stops the white cells in their tracks, decreases the function of the T cells, and removes damaging molecules called free radicals.
Gold used to treat RAGold therapy is an old remedy that still has a place in the treatment of RA. In fact, many doctors feel that gold therapy can induce a complete remission of the disease.There are injectable forms of gold and an oral form to treat RA. The oral form is less effective than the injectable form.As with all drugs, gold therapy has its problems. It may cause mouth ulcers, rashes, protein in the urine, and, rarely, low platelets (blood-clotting particles) and a low white cell count.The usual dose of injectable gold is a test dose of 10 milligrams, followed one week later by 25 milligrams once a week for two weeks, and then 50 milligrams weekly for up to 20 weeks. It can be given longer if the patient has a dramatic remission.Your doctor will keep a record of your injections and test you before each new dose. The doctor will take urine and a blood count to make sure that all is well.*36/141/5*

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