Introduction
Wilson's disease, the most common inherited disorder of copper metabolism, results from a failure of the copper excretory pathway. This leads to toxic accumulation of copper in the liver and eventually other organs.1 The prevalence of Wilson's disease in the general population is 1 per 40,000. The gold standard for diagnosis of Wilson's disease is liver biopsy, although other tests can be a useful guide.2
The condition is effectively treated with a low copper diet and chelating agents that bind copper to facilitate its excretion from the body. Syprine® is a chelating agent indicated for treatment of patients with Wilson's disease who are intolerant of the first-line treatment, penicillamine. 3
Important Safety Information
SYPRINE® is contraindicated in hypersensitive patients. Patients should be observed closely for signs of possible hypersensitivity. Patients receiving SYPRINE should remain under regular medical supervision throughout the period of drug administration. Patients (especially women) should be closely monitored for evidence of iron deficiency anemia. SYPRINE must be taken on an empty stomach, at least one hour before meals or two hours after meals and at least one hour apart from any other drug, food, or milk. The capsules should be swallowed whole with water and should not be opened or chewed. For the first month of treatment, the patient should have his temperature taken nightly, and report any symptom such as fever or skin eruption. The following adverse reactions have been reported from a clinical study: iron deficiency and systemic lupus erythematosus. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Reference: 1. Gaffney D, Fell GS, O'Reilly St. J. Wilson's disease: acute and presymptomatic laboratory diagnosis and monitoring. J Clin Pathol. 2000;53:807-12. 2. Brewer GJ. Wilson's disease. In: Kasper DL, Fauci AS, Longo DL, eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. New York. 16th ed. McGraw-Hill. 2005:2313-15. 3. Syprine package insert. Lawrenceville, NJ: Aton Pharma; 2007.
