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Penicillamine (W12-W60)
Penicillamine is a chelating agent that binds to heavy metals and promotes their urinary excretion, while also modulating immune responses through effects on collagen cross-linking and T-cell function.
Penicillamine is a chelating agent that binds to heavy metals and promotes their urinary excretion, while also modulating immune responses through effects on collagen cross-linking and T-cell function. Used for Wilson's disease (copper accumulation disorder), Cystinuria (amino acid metabolism disorder), Rheumatoid arthritis (historical use).
At a glance
| Generic name | Penicillamine (W12-W60) |
|---|---|
| Also known as | D-Penicillamine |
| Sponsor | Orphalan |
| Drug class | Heavy metal chelator / immunomodulator |
| Target | Copper, heavy metals (non-specific chelation); collagen cross-linking inhibition |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Rare disease / Metabolic disorder |
| Phase | Phase 3 |
Mechanism of action
Penicillamine works primarily as a heavy metal chelator by forming stable complexes with copper, mercury, lead, and other metals, facilitating their removal from the body via urine. Additionally, it inhibits collagen cross-linking and has immunomodulatory properties that reduce inflammatory responses, making it useful in autoimmune and connective tissue disorders. The drug's mechanism in Wilson's disease involves reducing copper accumulation in tissues.
Approved indications
- Wilson's disease (copper accumulation disorder)
- Cystinuria (amino acid metabolism disorder)
- Rheumatoid arthritis (historical use)
Common side effects
- Proteinuria
- Rash / dermatitis
- Bone marrow suppression
- Taste disturbance
- Gastrointestinal upset
Key clinical trials
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Penicillamine (W12-W60) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Penicillamine (W12-W60) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Orphalan portfolio CI