title: Pilot study of d-penicillamine, vitamins and minerals in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: A pilot study of the effect of D-penicillamine in multiple sclerosis (MS) was undertaken because of D-penicillamine's activity against RNA neurotropic viruses, because it is effective against the auto-immune disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and because both viruses and autoimmunity have been implicated in multiple sclerosis. We have treated 16 patients with advanced MS, nine on full doses (2-2.25 grams/day) and seven whose treatment was permanently stopped for reasons other than adverse reactions. There has been some improvement in most of those whose treatment was not withdrawn, and no change or deterioration in those not continued on the therapeutic regimen. Despite use of a high dosage regimen, such as has evoked intolerable side effects in a high percentage of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, we have experienced few side effects in a total of 48 patients suffering from diseases with auto-immune components, a finding we speculate is due to replacement of nutrients inactivated or removed by D-penicillamine, and to supplementation with selected nutrients.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011736:Pyridoxine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015032:Zinc / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014815:Vitamins; D010396:Penicillamine; D008274:Magnesium; D015032:Zinc; D011736:Pyridoxine