A degradation product of penicillin; a chelating agent used in the treatment of lead poisoning, hepatolenticular degeneration, and cystinuria, and in the removal of excess copper in Wilson disease; also available as p. hydrochloride. SYN: β,β-dimethylcysteine.
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pen·i·cil·la·mine .pen-ə-'sil-ə-.mēn n an amino acid C5H11NO2S that is obtained from penicillins and is used esp. to treat cystinuria, rheumatoid arthritis, and metal poisoning (as by copper or lead)
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n.
a drug that binds metals and therefore aids their excretion (see chelating agent). It is used to treat Wilson's disease, poisoning by metals such as lead, copper, and mercury, and severe rheumatoid arthritis. It is administered by mouth and commonly causes digestive upsets and allergic reactions. Trade names: Distamine, Pendramine.
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pen·i·cil·la·mine (pen″ĭ-silґə-mēn) [USP] a degradation product of penicillin that chelates certain heavy metals; used orally to reduce the blood copper level in treatment of Wilson disease and to promote excretion of cystine in patients with cystinuria or recurrent cystine calculus formation, by forming a more soluble penicillamine-cystine disulfide. It is also used as a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug in treatment of refractory rheumatoid arthritis.Medical dictionary. 2011.