Depen

Generic name:penicillamine [ pen-ih-SILL-ah-meen ]
Brand names: Cuprimine, Depen, D-Penamine
Drug class:Antirheumatics

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Apr 14, 2022. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is Depen?

Depen is a chelating (KEE-late-ing) agent that binds to excess copper and removes it from the blood stream. In certain conditions, excess copper can build up in the blood stream, leading to tissue damage throughout the body.

Depen is used to remove excess copper in people with an inherited condition called Wilson's disease.

Depen is also used to reduce urine levels of an amino acid called cystine, which can cause stones to form in the kidneys and bladder in people with an inherited condition called cystinuria.

Depen is also used to treat severe rheumatoid arthritis after other medicines have been tried without success. This medicine is not approved to treat juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Depen may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

You should not use Depen if you are breast-feeding, if you have ever had an infection or damaged blood cells caused by this medicine, or if you have kidney disease and you need this medicine to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Every person taking Depen should remain under the close supervision of a doctor.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Depen if you are allergic to it, or if:

• you are breast-feeding;

• you have kidney disease (if using Depen to treat rheumatoid arthritis); or

• you have developed an infection or damaged blood cells after taking Depen in the past.

Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with Depen. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you also use:

• gold injections;

• medicine to treat or prevent malaria; or

• cancer medicine.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease;

• liver disease;

• an allergy to penicillin;

• a stomach ulcer;

• a weak immune system; or

• if you are malnourished.

Follow your doctor's instructions about taking Depen if you are pregnant. Do not start or stop taking Depen without your doctor's advice, and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

• Depen may cause harm to an unborn baby and should not be used to treat cystinuria or rheumatoid arthritis if you are pregnant.

• Depen may be used during pregnancy to prevent a relapse of Wilson's disease. Not treating this condition during pregnancy can cause harmful or fatal effects on the mother. The benefit of preventing a relapse...