VetSheet

Penicilamina

Penicillamine

D-Penicillamine, beta,beta-Dimethylcysteine, D-3-Mercaptovaline

Antídoto; Agente quelantePOPerrosGatosAvesGanadoOvejasCabras

También conocido como: Depen · Cuprimine · Pendramine · D-Penicillamine · beta,beta-Dimethylcysteine · D-3-Mercaptovaline · penicillaminum

Revisado por el equipo veterinario de VetSheetActualizado 5 abr 2026Referencia veterinaria basada en la evidencia

10-15 mg/kg PO q12h on an empty stomach. Do not give concurrently with any medication, including zinc or a vitamin-mineral supplement.PO· q12h
🐕

Las dosis son una referencia clínica para profesionales veterinarios autorizados. Confirme siempre con el prospecto actual y cada paciente individual.

Dosis por especie

🌎 NA — North America🌍 EU — Europe

Perros

IndicaciónDosisVíaFrecuenciaDuraciónRegión
Copper-associated hepatopathy10-15 mg/kg PO q12h on an empty stomach. Do not give concurrently with any medication, including zinc or a vitamin-mineral supplement.POq12h🌎 NA
Copper-associated hepatopathy15 mg/kg PO twice daily 30 minutes before meals. Give supplemental pyridoxine. Chelate at least 6 months, and then use a second liver biopsy to determine efficacy and chronic treatment plan.POq12hAt least 6 months🌎 NA
Copper-associated hepatopathy10-15 mg/kg PO two times a day 30 minutes prior to food. Start low and increase.POq12h🌎 NA
Copper-associated hepatopathy15 mg/kg PO twice daily on an empty stomach.POq12h🌎 NA
Cystine urolithiasis15 mg/kg: PO twice daily. If nausea and vomiting occur, mix with food or give at mealtime. Some dogs may need to have the dosage slowly increased to full dose in order to tolerate the drug.POq12h🌎 NA
Cystine urolithiasis15 mg/kg: PO twice daily with foodPOq12h🌎 NA
Lead poisoning110 mg/kg/day, PO divided q6-8h for 1-2 weeks. If vomiting, depression, and anorexia occur, may reduce dose to 33-55 mg/kg/day divided q6-8h, which should be better tolerated.POq6-8h1-2 weeks🌎 NA
Lead poisoning110 mg/kg/day divided q6-8h PO 30 minutes before feeding for 1-2 weeks. If vomiting a problem may premedicate with dimenhydrinate (2-4 mg/kg PO). Alternatively, may give 33-55 mg/kg/day divided as above.POq6-8h1-2 weeks🌎 NA
Copper storage disease / Copper-associated hepatopathyDose not specified in monographPONot specifiedLong-term (weeks to months)🌍 EU
CystinuriaDose not specified in monographPONot specifiedNot specified🌍 EU
Lead toxicityDose not specified in monographPONot specifiedLong-term🌍 EU
  • Copper-associated hepatopathy: If patient is zinc intolerant, use chronic penicillamine at a dose restriction of 50%. Do not use chelation and zinc together.
  • Lead poisoning: After initial therapy regimen with CaEDTA and if continued therapy is desired at home.
  • Lead poisoning: As an alternate or adjunct to CaEDTA. Dissolving medication in juice may facilitate administration.
  • Copper storage disease / Copper-associated hepatopathy: Not helpful in an acute crisis. Pretreat with antiemetics 30-60 mins before if poorly tolerated.
  • Cystinuria: Decreases cystine excretion by forming soluble complex.
  • Lead toxicity: Used when injecting EDTA is too difficult or long-term chelation is required.

Gatos

IndicaciónDosisVíaFrecuenciaDuraciónRegión
Lead poisoning125 mg q12h PO for 5 days.POq12h5 days🌎 NA
  • Lead poisoning: After initial therapy with CaEDTA and if blood lead is greater than 0.2 ppm at 3-4 weeks post-treatment.

Aves

IndicaciónDosisVíaFrecuenciaDuraciónRegión
Adjunctive treatment of lead poisoning55 mg/kg PO q12h for 1-2 weeks.POq12h1-2 weeks🌎 NA
  • Adjunctive treatment of lead poisoning: Suggested to combine CaEDTA and penicillamine for several days until symptoms dissipate followed by a 3-6 week treatment with penicillamine.

Ganado

IndicaciónDosisVíaFrecuenciaDuraciónRegión
Lead or mercury toxicity110 mg/kg PO for 1-3 weeks.POUnknown1-3 weeks🌎 NA
  • Lead or mercury toxicity: To prevent continued metal absorption, must clear GI tract of toxic metal before therapy. FARAD recommends a minimum milk withdrawal time of 3 days after the last treatment and a 21-day preslaughter withdrawal.

Ovejas

IndicaciónDosisVíaFrecuenciaDuraciónRegión
Copper toxicity52 mg/kg daily for 6 daysPOq24h6 days🌎 NA
Copper toxicity26-52 mg/kg PO once daily for 6 days.POq24h6 days🌎 NA
Lead or mercury toxicity110 mg/kg PO for 1-3 weeks.POUnknown1-3 weeks🌎 NA
  • Copper toxicity: FARAD recommends a minimum milk withdrawal time of 3 days after the last treatment and a 21-day preslaughter withdrawal.
  • Lead or mercury toxicity: Must clear GI tract of toxic metal before therapy.

Cabras

IndicaciónDosisVíaFrecuenciaDuraciónRegión
Copper toxicity52 mg/kg daily for 6 daysPOq24h6 days🌎 NA
Copper toxicity26-52 mg/kg PO once daily for 6 days.POq24h6 days🌎 NA
Lead or mercury toxicity110 mg/kg PO for 1-3 weeks.POUnknown1-3 weeks🌎 NA
  • Copper toxicity: FARAD recommends a minimum milk withdrawal time of 3 days after the last treatment and a 21-day preslaughter withdrawal.
  • Lead or mercury toxicity: Must clear GI tract of toxic metal before therapy.

Las dosis son una referencia clínica para profesionales veterinarios autorizados. Confirme siempre con el prospecto actual y cada paciente individual.

¿Atendiendo una consulta? La IA de VetSheet escribe el fármaco, la dosis y la duración directamente en una nota de visita estructurada.Descubre cómo funciona VetSheet

Resumen

La penicilamina es un potente agente quelante utilizado principalmente en medicina veterinaria para el manejo de hepatopatías por acumulación de cobre, particularmente en razas de perros susceptibles como Bedlington Terriers, Labrador Retrievers y Dálmatas.

Aspectos clínicos destacados:

  • Inicio de acción lento: La mejoría clínica en la hepatopatía asociada al cobre puede requerir semanas o meses de terapia continua.
  • Versatilidad: Más allá del cobre, es eficaz para el tratamiento oral a largo plazo de la intoxicación por plomo o mercurio, y para la disolución/prevención de la urolitiasis por cistina.
  • Propiedades antifibróticas: Puede ofrecer beneficios en la hepatitis crónica al inhibir la reticulación del colágeno, aunque las dosis requeridas a menudo son mal toleradas.

Perla clínica: Debido a que la penicilamina puede quelar minerales dietéticos, no debe administrarse simultáneamente con zinc o suplementos de vitaminas y minerales a menos que se administren de forma escalonada bajo un protocolo estricto.

Mecanismo de acción

Penicillamine exerts its effects through multiple distinct mechanisms depending on the target condition:

  • Heavy Metal Chelation: Contains sulfhydryl groups that bind to heavy metals (copper, lead, iron, mercury) → forms stable, water-soluble complexes → facilitates rapid excretion via the kidneys.
  • Cystine Urolithiasis: Combines chemically with cystine via a disulfide interchange reaction → forms a stable, highly soluble penicillamine-cysteine mixed disulfide complex → readily excreted in urine, preventing stone formation.
  • Antirheumatic Activity: Mechanism is not fully elucidated, but it improves lymphocyte function and decreases IgM rheumatoid factor and immune complexes in serum and synovial fluid.
  • Antifibrotic Activity: Inhibits lysyl oxidase and collagen crosslinking → renders newly synthesized collagen more susceptible to enzymatic degradation.

Seguridad y advertencias

Contraindicaciones

  • Patients with a history of penicillamine-related blood dyscrasias
  • Presence of lead in the gastrointestinal tract (can enhance absorption)
  • Pregnancy (unless benefits outweigh teratogenic risks)
  • Moderate to marked renal impairment

Efectos adversos

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Depression
  • Anorexia
  • Dietary mineral deficiencies (zinc, iron, copper, calcium) with long-term use
  • Fever (rare)
  • Lymphadenopathy (rare)
  • Skin hypersensitivity reactions (rare)
  • Immune-complex glomerulonephropathy (rare)
  • Teratogenicity
  • Pyrexia
  • Nephrotic syndrome
  • Leucopenia (human data)
  • Thrombocytopenia (human data)
  • Lymphadenopathy (human data)
  • Skin hypersensitivity reactions (human data)
  • Lupus-like reactions (human data)

Precauciones

Penicillamine is contraindicated in patients with a history of penicillamine-related blood dyscrasias. Warning: Penicillamine potentially can cause enhanced absorption of lead from the gastrointestinal tract. If lead is still present in the gut (e.g., visible on radiographs), it should NOT be administered until the GI tract is cleared. Use with caution in pregnant animals due to known teratogenic potential (FDA Category D).

Interacciones farmacológicas

4-Aminoquinoline drugs (e.g., chloroquine, quinacrine)

Concomitant administration may increase the risks for severe dermatologic adverse effects.

Oral Cations (Zinc, Iron, Calcium, Magnesium)

May decrease the effectiveness of penicillamine if given orally together due to chelation in the gut.

Food and Antacids

The amount of penicillamine absorbed from the GI tract may be reduced by concurrent administration.

Gold Compounds

May increase the risk of hematologic and/or renal adverse reactions.

Immunosuppressant drugs (e.g., cyclophosphamide, azathioprine)

May increase the risk of hematologic and/or renal adverse reactions.

Phenylbutazone

May increase the risk of hematologic and/or renal adverse reactions.

AntacidsModerate

Decreased gastrointestinal absorption of penicillamine

FoodModerate

Decreased gastrointestinal absorption of penicillamine

Iron saltsModerate

Decreased gastrointestinal absorption of penicillamine

Zinc saltsModerate

Decreased gastrointestinal absorption of penicillamine

Cytotoxic drugsMajor

Increased renal and haematological adverse effects

NSAIDsMajor

Increased risk of renal damage

Nephrotoxic drugsMajor

Increased risk of renal damage

Monitorización

  • Clinical efficacy (e.g., resolution of neurologic signs in lead poisoning)
  • Liver enzymes (ALT) and liver copper levels via biopsy (for hepatopathy)
  • Urinalysis and stone dissolution (for cystine urolithiasis)
  • Complete blood count (CBC) and urinalysis to monitor for rare blood dyscrasias or glomerulonephropathy
  • Full blood count (weekly initially)
  • Urinalysis (weekly initially)
  • Renal function
  • Dietary mineral levels (zinc, iron, copper, calcium) during long-term use

Farmacocinética

Absorción

In humans, well absorbed after oral administration. Peak serum levels occur about one hour after dosing. Food decreases bioavailability.

Distribución

Crosses the placenta. Otherwise, little information is known about its distribution.

Metabolismo

Penicillamine that is not complexed with either a metal or cystine is thought to be metabolized by the liver.

Eliminación

Excreted in the urine and feces.

Sobredosis

No specific acute toxic dose has been established for penicillamine. Toxic effects generally occur in patients taking the drug chronically. Any relationship of toxicity to dose is unclear; patients on small doses may develop toxicity. Management of overdose would be largely supportive and symptomatic.

Productos disponibles

Formulaciones

  • Titratable Oral Tablets: 250 mg
  • Oral Capsules: 125 mg, 250 mg
  • 125 mg oral tablet
  • 250 mg oral tablet

Veterinario

  • None

Etiquetado para humanos

  • Penicillamine Titratable Oral Tablets: 250 mg (scored); Depen (Wallace)
  • Penicillamine Oral Capsules: 125 mg & 250 mg; Cuprimine (Aton Pharma)
  • Pendramine 125 mg tablets
  • Pendramine 250 mg tablets
  • Penicillamine 125 mg tablets
  • Penicillamine 250 mg tablets

Estado regulador

European Union✓ AprobadoMedicamento de prescripciónEMA
🐕 Dogs

POM (Prescription Only Medicine)

United Kingdom✓ AprobadoMedicamento de prescripciónVMD
🐕 Dogs

POM (Prescription Only Medicine)

Sin datos reguladores para: 🇺🇸 US · 🇭🇰 HK · 🇹🇼 TW · 🇯🇵 JP · 🇰🇷 KR · 🇦🇺 AU

Almacenamiento y estabilidad

Penicillamine should be stored at room temperature (15-30°C). The capsules should be stored in tight containers; tablets in well-closed containers.

Información para el cliente

La penicilamina se utiliza para ayudar al cuerpo de su mascota a eliminar niveles tóxicos de metales (como cobre o plomo) o para disolver ciertos tipos de cálculos en la vejiga.

  • Administración: Este medicamento debe administrarse preferiblemente con el estómago vacío, al menos 30 minutos antes de alimentar a la mascota, para asegurar una absorción adecuada.
  • Manejo de efectos secundarios: Si su mascota presenta vómitos o pérdida de apetito, contacte a su veterinario. Es posible que sugieran:
    1. Dividir la dosis diaria en dosis más pequeñas y frecuentes.
    2. Reducir temporalmente la dosis y aumentarla gradualmente.
    3. Administrar el medicamento con una pequeña cantidad de comida (por ejemplo, queso o pan) para calmar el estómago, aunque esto puede reducir ligeramente la absorción.
  • No administre este medicamento al mismo tiempo que suplementos de vitaminas/minerales (especialmente aquellos que contienen zinc o hierro) o antiácidos, ya que se unirán al fármaco e impedirán su funcionamiento.

La referencia de medicamentos de VetSheet está destinada a profesionales veterinarios autorizados como ayuda para la toma de decisiones clínicas, no como sustituto del criterio profesional ni del prospecto actual del fabricante.