D-penicillamine in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Forty-four patients with definite or classic rheumatoid arthritis and failure to tolerate or respond to gold therapy were treated with D-penicillamine on a so-called go-slow, go-low regime. Seventeen patients tolerated the drug and had a 3-13 month follow-up assessment; 8 were markedly improved, 6 moderately or slightly improved, and 3 unimproved. Penicillamine had to be discontinued in 9 patients because of toxic side effects.