Penicillamine-Induced Rapidly Progressive Glomerulonephritis in Patients With Progressive Systemic Sclerosis: Successful Treatment of Two Patients and a Review of the Literature

Although D-penicillamine has been used effectively in the management of a variety of diseases such as cystinuria, Wilson's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and progressive systemic sclerosis, several toxic drug reactions have been observed with prolonged administration of this agent. One of the most serious side effects is the renal changes that occur following several months of use. We now report two patients with scleroderma who developed serologic evidence of lupus and crescentic glomerulonephritis during treatment with D-penicillamine. Both patients responded to pulse methylprednisolone and subsequent daily steroids. We also review the current information available on the variety of penicillamine nephropathies.