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Mercaptyl: Full Drug Profile

Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026

Mercaptyl - General Information

3-Mercapto-D-valine. The most characteristic degradation product of the penicillin antibiotics. It is used as an antirheumatic and as a chelating agent in Wilson&

 

Pharmacology of Mercaptyl

Mercaptyl is a chelating agent used in the treatment of Wilson's disease. It is also used to reduce cystine excretion in cystinuria and to treat patients with severe, active rheumatoid arthritis unresponsive to conventional therapy. Mercaptyl is used as a form of immunosuppression to treat rheumatoid arthritis. It works by reducing numbers of T-lymphocytes, inhibiting macrophage function, decreasing IL-1, decreasing rheumatoid factor, and preventing collagen from cross-linking. Its use in Wilson's disease, a rare genetic disorder of copper metabolism, relies on its binding to accumulated copper and elimination through urine.

 

Mercaptyl for patients

 

Mercaptyl Interactions

No information available.

 

Mercaptyl Contraindications

Except for the treatment of Wilson's disease or certain patients with cystinuria, use of penicillamine during pregnancy is contraindicated.

Although breast milk studies have not been reported in animals or humans, mothers on therapy with penicillamine should not nurse their infants.

Patients with a history of penicillamine-related aplastic anemia or agranulocytosis should not be restarted on penicillamine.

Because of its potential for causing renal damage, penicillamine should not be administered to rheumatoid arthritis patients with a history or other evidence of renal insufficiency.

 

Additional information about Mercaptyl

Mercaptyl Indication

For treatment of Wilson's disease, cystinuria and active rheumatoid arthritis

Mechanism Of Action
Mercaptyl is a chelating agent recommended for the removal of excess copper in patients with Wilson's disease. From in vitro studies which indicate that one atom of copper combines with two molecules of penicillamine. Mercaptyl also reduces excess cystine excretion in cystinuria. This is done, at least in part, by disulfide interchange between penicillamine and cystine, resulting in formation of penicillamine-cysteine disulfide, a substance that is much more soluble than cystine and is excreted readily. Mercaptyl interferes with the formation of cross-links between tropocollagen molecules and cleaves them when newly formed. The mechanism of action of penicillamine in rheumatoid arthritis is unknown although it appears to suppress disease activity. Unlike cytotoxic immunosuppressants, penicillamine markedly lowers IgM rheumatoid factor but produces no significant depression in absolute levels of serum immunoglobulins. Also unlike cytotoxic immunosuppressants which act on both, penicillamine in vitro depresses T-cell activity but not B-cell activity.
Generic Name
Penicillamine
Synonyms
beta,beta-Dimethylcysteine; beta-Thiovaline; D-Mercaptovaline; D-Penamine; D-Penicilamine; D-Penicillamine; D-Penicyllamine; Dimethylcysteine; L-Penicillamine; PCA; Penicilamina [INN-Spanish]; Penicillamin; Penicillamina [DCIT]; Penicillaminum [INN-Latin]; Penicilllamine
Drug Category
Antidotes; Antirheumatic Agents; Chelating Agents
Drug Type
Small Molecule; Approved
Other Brand Names containing Penicillamine
Artamine; Cuprenil; Cuprimine; Cupripen; Depamine; Depen; Distamine; Kuprenil; Mercaptovaline; Mercaptyl; Metalcaptase; Pendramine; Perdolat; Sufirtan; Trolovol;
Absorption
rapidly but incompletely
Protein Binding
>80% (bound to plasma proteins)
Biotransformation
Hepatic
Half Life
1 hour
Dosage Forms of Mercaptyl
Capsule Oral
Chemical IUPAC Name
(2S)-2-amino-3-methyl-3-sulfanylbutanoic acid
Chemical Formula
C5H11NO2S
Organisms Affected
Humans and other mammals