Effect of oral zinc sulphate and penicillamine on zinc metabolism in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Whole body zinc and zinc absorption were measured in 14 patients with classical rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Half of these patients were treated with penicillamine for a period of 8 wk and the other half received zinc sulphate orally for a similar period of time. Whole body zinc and zinc absorption were not significantly affected by either therapy. These observations suggest that any pharmacological effect of oral zinc sulphate or penicillamine on patients with RA is not mediated by their effect on zinc metabolism in such patients.