Penicillamine and Zoledronic Acid IV

• Generic Name: penicillamine
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Cuprimine, Depen, D-Penamine, Depen Titratabs

Penicillamine is a chelating (KEE-late-ing) agent that binds to excess copper and removes it from the blood stream. In certain conditions, excess copper can build up in the blood stream, leading to tissue damage throughout the body.

Penicillamine is used to remove excess copper in people with an inherited condition called Wilson's disease.

Penicillamine is also used to reduce urine levels of an amino acid called cystine, which can cause stones to form in the kidneys and bladder in people with an inherited condition called cystinuria.

Penicillamine is also used to treat severe rheumatoid arthritis after other medicines have been tried without success. Penicillamine is not approved to treat juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Penicillamine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

• Generic Name: zoledronic acid
• Dosage Forms: injection
• Other Brand Names: Reclast, Zometa, Zometa Concentrate, Aclasta

Zoledronic acid (sometimes called zoledronate) is a bisphosphonate (bis FOS fo nayt) medicine that alters bone formation and breakdown in the body. This can slow bone loss and may help prevent bone fractures.

Reclast and Zometa are two different brands of zoledronic acid.

Reclast is used to treat osteoporosis caused by menopause, steroid use, or gonadal failure. zoledronic acid is for use when you have a high risk of bone fracture due to osteoporosis. Reclast is also used to treat Paget's disease of bone.

Zometa is used to treat high blood levels of calcium caused by cancer (also called hypercalcemia of malignancy). Zometa also treats multiple myeloma (a type of bone marrow cancer) or bone cancer that has spread from elsewhere in the body.

You should not use Reclast and Zometa at the same time.

Zoledronic acid may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.