D-penicillamine in the therapy of fibrotic lung diseases.

We studied 12 patients with pulmonary fibrosis treated with D-Penicillamine in an attempt to regulate the collagen metabolism that is seriously affected in this group of patients. After six years follow-up we found a 33% survival rate compared to a 5% survival rate in patients treated with corticosteroids (p less than 0.01). Functional respiratory tests as well as quality of life were improved in all patients. No side effects attributable to D-Penicillamine were detected probably due to the fact that we used smaller doses than those reported in the treatment of other diseases of the connective tissue. We conclude that D-Penicillamine can be a useful alternative drug in the therapy of patients with pulmonary fibrosis.