You may have been a little surprised when your doctor prescribed you a medicine called Penicillamine. This is not a medicine we often hear about or use. But it is a very important medicine for some special medical conditions. So today, let's talk simply about this medicine called Penicillamine, how to use it, and what things to be careful about.
What really happens with this medicine?
Simply put, Penicillamine is a drug that helps to capture, bind to, and remove certain substances from the body. Specifically, it binds to heavy metals and a chemical called cystine in our bodies.
Therefore, this medicine is mainly used to treat three conditions:
- Wilson's disease: This is a genetic disorder. It causes the body to accumulate too much copper. This excess copper can damage organs such as the liver and brain. Penicillamine helps remove this excess copper from the body.
- Cystinuria: This is also a genetic condition. In this condition, kidney stones are formed due to an amino acid called cystine. This medicine binds to cystine, making it soluble and allowing it to be excreted in the urine. This reduces the formation of kidney stones.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: This is a disease that causes inflammation, pain, and swelling of the joints. Doctors sometimes prescribe this medication for severe rheumatoid arthritis that has not responded to other treatments.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
For your safety, you should definitely tell your doctor this information before starting this medication.
- If you have anemia or other blood-related diseases.
- If you have kidney disease .
- If you have a nerve and muscle disease called Myasthenia Gravis .
- If you have had an allergic reaction to Penicillamine, penicillin , or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant .
- If you are a breastfeeding mother .
Based on this information, the doctor will decide whether or not this medication is right for you, and if so, how to give it.
How exactly do I use this medicine?
To get the most out of this medicine, it is very important to use it correctly.
Most importantly: This medicine should always be taken on an empty stomach . That means one hour before or two hours after a meal. Never take it with food or milk.
- Take the pill/capsule with a glass of water.
- If you are taking other medications, especially iron pills, vitamins, or antacids, leave at least an hour between taking this medicine.
- Take the medicine at the prescribed intervals as prescribed by your doctor. If you take it once a day, try to take it at the same time every day.
- Don't skip medication. If you stop taking the medication for a few days and then start again, you are more likely to have an allergic reaction.
- Even if you feel better, do not stop taking the medicine without medical advice.
- If this medicine is given to children, it should be done only under the advice of a pediatrician.
What do you do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken more than the prescribed dose, do not panic. Go to the nearest Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take two doses at once for any reason.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Penicillamine is a medication that can interact with other medications, so tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking.
- It is important to avoid taking anti-malaria medications together with this medicine.
- Iron tablets
- Antacids containing aluminum or magnesium
- Cancer medication (chemotherapy)
- Gold compounds for arthritis
- Multivitamins containing metals, minerals, or iron
- Painkillers like Oxyphenbutazone, Phenylbutazone
This list is not complete, so be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take, including vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- Regular medical checkups: While taking this medicine, your doctor will ask you to have regular checkups and blood tests. Never skip these. This is very important for your safety.
- Be patient: It can take about 2 to 3 months for symptoms to subside and you to feel better. So don't panic.
- Special diet: You may be asked to follow a special diet. Also, ask your doctor if you need to take a vitamin supplement, such as vitamin B6.
- If you are taking this medicine for cystinuria, it is essential to drink plenty of water . The doctor says to drink two glasses of water, especially before going to bed at night, and two more glasses of water when you wake up in the middle of the night .
- Surgery: If you are going to have any surgery, be sure to tell the surgeon that you are taking Penicillamine.
What side effects can occur?
Like any medicine, this one can cause side effects in some people. Some of them are serious, some are not so serious.
| Side effect | Description and what to do |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Difficulty breathing | Difficulty breathing. |
| Fever, sore throat, chills | These could be signs of an infection. |
| Unusual bleeding or bruising | Frequent nosebleeds, bleeding gums, and bruising. |
| Skin blisters or peeling skin | Redness, blistering, or peeling of the skin, including inside the mouth. |
| Other serious symptoms | Black stools, dark urine, vision changes, mouth sores, joint pain, change in the amount of urine, unusual tiredness. |
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Digestive system problems | Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, flatulence, loss of appetite. |
| Other features | Changes in taste, wrinkling or loose skin, irritability. |
If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned in this list, please inform your doctor about them as well.
Take-Home Message
- Always take Penicillamine on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after a meal. Do not take it with milk or other medications.
- Avoid stopping medication or skipping doses without your doctor's advice.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and supplements you are taking.
- It is very important to have medical checkups and blood tests on time.
- If you experience any serious side effects such as skin rash, fever, or difficulty breathing, notify your doctor immediately.
- Keep this medicine out of the reach of children, at room temperature, and tightly closed to prevent air leakage.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න