Drug interactions
Penicillamine + Zinc
Severity: Moderate
Penicillamine and Zinc: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Zinc binds penicillamine in the gut and reduces its absorption, and penicillamine also chelates zinc and increases its excretion. This may reduce the efficacy of penicillamine, for instance in Wilson disease or rheumatoid arthritis.
What this interaction means in plain words
Penicillamine and Zinc can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Penicillamine belongs to Musculoskeletal; Zinc belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Chelation of penicillamine by zinc in the gastrointestinal tract reduces absorption of both agents.
What to do
Separate penicillamine and zinc by at least 2 hours and give penicillamine on an empty stomach. Monitor clinical response and, in Wilson disease, urinary copper excretion.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Penicillamine
- Gold sodium thiomalate + Penicillamine Major
- Aluminum hydroxide + Penicillamine Moderate
- Calcium carbonate + Penicillamine Moderate
- Calcium + Penicillamine Moderate
- Carbonyl iron + Penicillamine Moderate
- Copper + Penicillamine Moderate
Other interactions of Zinc
- Alendronate + Zinc Moderate
- Baloxavir marboxil + Zinc Moderate
- Cefalexin + Zinc Moderate
- Ciprofloxacin + Zinc Moderate
- Delafloxacin + Zinc Moderate
- Dolutegravir + Zinc Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Penicillamine with Zinc?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Penicillamine and Zinc can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Zinc binds penicillamine in the gut and reduces its absorption, and penicillamine also chelates zinc and increases its excretion. This may reduce the efficacy of penicillamine, for instance in Wilson disease or rheumatoid arthritis.
How serious is the interaction between Penicillamine and Zinc?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Separate penicillamine and zinc by at least 2 hours and give penicillamine on an empty stomach. Monitor clinical response and, in Wilson disease, urinary copper excretion.
What other medicines interact with Penicillamine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Penicillamine with, for example, Gold sodium thiomalate, Aluminum hydroxide, Calcium carbonate. The full list is on the Penicillamine page.
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