D-Penicillamine is derived from the hydrolysis of the corresponding beta-lactam antibiotic.

It is used as an antirheumatic and as a chelating agent in Wilson′s disease. It is used as a copper chelator to form mixed disulfides with cysteine or other sulfide media components. It is used to inactivate protein-1 DNA binding and to inhibit the growth of asynchronous cultures of rabbit articular chondrocytes.

Penicillamine is a characteristic degradation product of penicillin type antibiotics. One atom of copper combines with two molecules of penicillamine. Penicillamine reduces excess cystine excretion in cystinuria. This is by disulfide interchange between penicillamine and cystine, which results in formation of a readily excreted penicillamine-cysteine disulfide. Penicillamine interferes with the formation of cross-links between tropocollagen molecules and cleaves them when newly formed. Penicillamine lowers IgM rheumatoid factor and depresses T-cell activity.

Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.