title: Zinc sulphate therapy for Wilson's disease after acute deterioration during treatment with low-dose D-penicillamine.
abstract: A 30-year-old woman with Wilson's disease was treated with low-dose D-penicillamine. After 12 days, treatment was changed to zinc sulphate because of severe neurological deterioration. The patient subsequently improved within a few days. During a follow-up period of 20 months, the effectiveness of therapy was evaluated by measuring copper and zinc levels in plasma and urine, and by 64Cu-loading tests. We conclude that sulphate therapy may be a satisfactory alternative, even when rapid deterioration occurs in the early stages of D-penicillamine treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Zuiderziekenhuis, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Veen
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: van den Hamer
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: de Leeuw
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006527:Hepatolenticular Degeneration / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013431:Sulfates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000652:urine; D019287:Zinc Sulfate
chemical_list: D013431:Sulfates; D019287:Zinc Sulfate; D003300:Copper; D010396:Penicillamine; D015032:Zinc