[D-penicillamine--a current review of areas of use and dosage guidelines].

The present paper reviews the different therapeutic uses of D-penicillamine and outlines the dosage regimen of D-penicillamine for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. While many open clinical trials are published, only a few controlled, double-blind studies investigate the "optimal" dosing of D-penicillamine. From these findings, a uniform regimen cannot be named but the heterogenous appearance of chronic polyarthritis requires an individual therapy. In order to minimize the risk of side effects, however, it is necessary to follow the guideline "go low--go slow" as postulated by Jaffe.