Bioavailability of D-penicillamine in a patient with gastrointestinal progressive systemic sclerosis.

D-penicillamine pharmacokinetics were studied in a patient with gastrointestinal progressive systemic sclerosis possibly complicated by malabsorption. D-penicillamine bioavailability was examined after oral, duodenal, intravenous and rectal administration. No D-penicillamine was detectable in plasma after administration to the gastrointestinal tract. The pharmacokinetics after intravenous administration agreed closely with the corresponding situation in healthy volunteers.