Depen Side Effects

Generic name: penicillamine

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 4, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Depen Side Effects associated with penicillamine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Depen.

Applies to penicillamine: oral capsule, oral tablet.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Oral route (capsule)

Physicians planning to use penicillamine should thoroughly familiarize themselves with its toxicity, special dosage considerations, and therapeutic benefits.

Penicillamine should never be used casually.

Each patient should remain constantly under the close supervision of the physician.

Patients should be warned to report promptly any symptoms suggesting toxicity.

Serious side effects of Depen

Along with its needed effects, penicillamine (the active ingredient contained in Depen) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur while taking penicillamine:

More common side effects

• fever
• joint pain
• lesions on the face, neck, scalp, and/or trunk
• skin rash, hives, or itching
• swollen and/or painful glands
• ulcers, sores, or white spots on lips or in mouth

Less common side effects

• bloody or cloudy urine
• shortness of breath, troubled breathing, tightness in chest, or wheezing
• sore throat and fever with or without chills
• swelling of face, feet, or lower legs
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• weight gain

Rare side effects

• abdominal or stomach pain (severe)
• blisters on skin
• bloody or black, tarry stools
• chest pain
• coughing or hoarseness
• dark urine
• difficulty in breathing, chewing, talking, or swallowing
• eye pain, blurred or double vision, or any change in vision
• general feeling of discomfort or illness or weakness
• lower back or side pain
• muscle weakness
• painful or difficult urination
• pale stools
• pinpoint red spots on skin
• redness, tenderness, itching, burning, or peeling of skin
• red or irritated eyes
• red, thick, or scaly skin
• ringing or buzzing in the ears
• spitting blood
• yellow eyes or skin

Other side effects of Depen

Some side effects of penicillamine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• diarrhea
• lessening or loss of sense of taste
• loss of appetite
• nausea or vomiting
• stomach pain (mild)

For healthcare professionals

Applies to penicillamine: oral capsule, oral tablet.

General adverse events

Both the frequency and severity of many side effects are dose related and vary according to the disease being treated. Initiating therapy at lower doses and titrating up helps to attenuate some side effects.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Epigastric pain (17%), nausea (17%), vomiting (17%), diarrhea (17%)
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Mouth ulceration, stomatitis, glossitis
• Frequency not reported: Pancreatitis, reactivated peptic ulcer^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Thrombocytopenia, leukopenia
• Frequency not reported: Neutropenia (usually reversible), agranulocytosis (sometimes fatal), aplastic anemia (sometimes fatal), hemolytic anemia, lymphadenopathy, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, red cell aplasia, monocytosis, leukocytosis, eosinophilia, thrombocytosis^[Ref]

Renal

• Common (1% to 10%): Proteinuria
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Hematuria, renal vasculitis
• Frequency not reported: Nephrotic syndrome, glomerulonephritis, Goodpasture's syndrome^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Polymyositis, dermatomyositis
• Frequency not reported: Lupus erythematosus, myasthenia gravis, rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis (in patients with rheumatoid arthritis), muscular weakness^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Rash (early and/or later in therapy), pruritus
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Alopecia, pseudoxanthoma elasticum, elastosis perforans, skin laxity, lichen planus
• Frequency not reported: Urticaria, epidermolysis bullosa, exfoliative dermatitis, dermopathy, dermatomyositis, pemphigus, Stevens-Johnson syndrome^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Bronchial asthma
• Frequency not reported: Pulmonary hemorrhage, dyspnea, pleural effusion, alveolitis, pulmonary fibrosis, bronchiolitis, pneumonitis^[Ref]

Other

• Frequency not reported: Deafness, fever, the chelating action of the drug may cause increased excretion of other heavy metals (in addition to copper) such as zinc, mercury, and lead^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Breast enlargement^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Intrahepatic cholestasis, toxic hepatitis
• Frequency not reported: Cholestatic jaundice, hepatic dysfunction, pancreatitis, increased serum alkaline phosphatase, increased lactic dehydrogenase, positive cephalin flocculation test, positive thymol turbidity test^[Ref]

Ocular

• Frequency not reported: Abnormal vision, optic neuritis^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Thrombophlebitis^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Thyroiditis^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Blunting, diminution, or total loss of taste (12%)
• Frequency not reported: Headache, dizziness, deterioration of neurological symptoms of Wilson's disease (dystonia, rigidity, tremor, dysarthria) following introduction of therapy in patients treated for this condition (this may be a consequence of mobilization and redistribution of copper from the liver to the brain), arthralgia, tinnitus, peripheral sensory and motor neuropathies (including polyradiculoneuropathy, i.e., Guillain-Barre Syndrome)^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Allergic reactions including hypersensitivity^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Frequency not reported: Confusion^[Ref]

Further information

Depen side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer