The effect of penicillamine on the laboratory parameters in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract Twenty‐one patients with rheumatoid arthritis were given penicillamine for periods of four to six months, and the changes in RF titer, ESR, and CRP were measured weekly. An improvement in one or more of these parameters from their initial values was found in most of the patients at the time the agent was terminated. A review of the related literature, as well as original observations, suggests several possible explanations for the mechanism of action of the drug.