What is Penicillamine used for?

Penicillamine is indicated for: Copper hepatopathy, Copper storage hepatopathy, Copper toxicity, Copper-associated hepatopathy, Heavy metal (lead, zinc, copper, mercury) chelation, Heavy-metal (lead/zinc/copper/mercury) toxicosis chelation, lead poisoning, Lead/heavy-metal toxicosis (chelation).

Which species have cited Penicillamine dosing data?

Penicillamine dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 6 species: African Grey Parrot, Cat (Domestic), Dog (Domestic), Ferret, Lovebird, Umbrella Cockatoo.

Is Penicillamine a controlled substance?

Penicillamine is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

Penicillamine

US brand names:Cuprimine, Depen, D-Penicillamine

Calculate dosage

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Penicillamine is dosed at 10 mg/kg PO q24h in ferrets, per Jepson L. Ferrets. In: Jepson L, eds. Exotic Animal Medicine: A Quick Reference Guide, 2nd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2016:1-42. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.957 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 11.10 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Ferrets.a). Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Antidote

Routes

Indications

Copper hepatopathyCopper storage hepatopathyCopper toxicityCopper-associated hepatopathy

Mechanism of Action

Chelates copper, lead, mercury, and other heavy metals, forming soluble complexes excreted by the kidneys. Also has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties.

Side effects & warnings

Give on empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after meals). GI upset common — start low and increase gradually. Monitor CBC and urinalysis (proteinuria). Primary use: copper-associated hepatopathy (Bedlington Terriers, others).

Evidence levels across 7 dose rules

Moderate×3Weak×3Strong×1

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Sample dosing (2 of 7 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 6 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	PO	10–15 mg/kg	q12h	Strong	Webster CRL, Center SA, Cullen JM, et al. ACVIM consensus statement on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2019;33(3):1173-1200. doi:10.1111/jvim.15467 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.991, Penicillamine monograph spanning p.990-991.
Dog (Domestic)	PO	10–15 mg/kg	q12h	Moderate	Webster CRL, Center SA, Cullen JM, et al. ACVIM consensus statement on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2019;33(3):1173-1200. doi:10.1111/jvim.15467 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.991, Penicillamine monograph spanning p.990-991.

Backed by 6 published sourcesShow

· 206. De Francisco N, Ruiz Troya JD, Aguera EI. Lead and lead toxicity in domestic and free living birds. Avian Pathol. 2003;32:3-13. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.469 doi:10.1080/0307945021000070660 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.9 (Agents Used in the Treatment of Toxicologic Conditions of Birds).
· 206. De Francisco N, Ruiz Troya JD, Agüera EI. Lead and lead toxicity in domestic and free living birds. Avian Pathol. 2003;32:3-13. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.469 doi:10.1080/0307945021000070660 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.9 (Agents Used in the Treatment of Toxicologic Conditions of Birds).
· 206. De Francisco N, Ruiz Troya JD, Agüera EI. Lead and lead toxicity in domestic and free living birds. Avian Pathol. 2003;32:3-13. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.469 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.9 (Agents Used in the Treatment of Toxicologic Conditions of Birds).

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· Hurwitz BM, Center SA, Randolph JF, et al. Presumed primary and secondary hepatic copper accumulation in cats. Javma-Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2014;244:68-77. doi:10.2460/javma.244.1.68 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.991, Penicillamine monograph spanning p.990-991.

· Jepson L. Ferrets. In: Jepson L, eds. Exotic Animal Medicine: A Quick Reference Guide, 2nd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2016:1-42. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.957 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 11.10 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Ferrets.a).

· Webster CRL, Center SA, Cullen JM, et al. ACVIM consensus statement on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2019;33(3):1173-1200. doi:10.1111/jvim.15467 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.991, Penicillamine monograph spanning p.990-991.