Examples
|
| Cuprimine, Depen | penicillamine | |
How It Works
Penicillamine helps keep cystine dissolved in the urine, which
makes cystine
kidney stones less likely to form.
Why It Is Used
Penicillamine may be used to prevent kidney stones in people with
high levels of cystine in their urine.
How Well It Works
Penicillamine is effective in preventing the formation of cystine
kidney stones.1
Side Effects
Side effects of penicillamine may include:
- Loss of taste or smell.
- Skin
rash.
- Kidney damage.
- Loss of
appetite.
- Nausea and
vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Decreased blood cell production in
the bone marrow.
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
Zinc supplements may reduce or prevent some side effects.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference
is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Penicillamine has more side effects than tiopronin, which is also
used for cystine kidney stones.
People usually try other treatments to prevent the formation of
kidney stones before using this medicine.
Some people may find it difficult to drink enough fluids while
taking this medicine. To reduce the side effects of this medicine, you need to
drink enough fluids to produce at least
2 qt (1.9 L) of urine each
day.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF) 
(What is a PDF document?)
to help you understand this medication.
References
Citations
Menon M, Resnick MI (2002). Urinary lithiasis:
Etiology, diagnosis, and medical management. In ES Campbell, ed.,
Campbell's Urology, 8th ed., pp. 3229–3305.
Philadelphia: Saunders.
Credits
| Author | Monica Rhodes |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Philip Belitsky, MD, FRCSC - Urology |
| Last Updated | May 30, 2007 |
Menon M, Resnick MI (2002). Urinary lithiasis:
Etiology, diagnosis, and medical management. In ES Campbell, ed.,
Campbell's Urology, 8th ed., pp. 3229–3305.
Philadelphia: Saunders.
