Actions of Metalcaptase in details
Metalcaptase is a chelating agent recommended for the removal of excess copper in patients with Wilson's disease. From in vitro studies which indicate that one atom of copper combines with two molecules of Metalcaptase. Metalcaptase also reduces excess cystine excretion in cystinuria. This is done, at least in part, by disulfide interchange between Metalcaptase and cystine, resulting in formation of Metalcaptase-cysteine disulfide, a substance that is much more soluble than cystine and is excreted readily. Metalcaptase interferes with the formation of cross-links between tropocollagen molecules and cleaves them when newly formed. The mechanism of action of Metalcaptase in rheumatoid arthritis is unknown although it appears to suppress disease activity. Unlike cytotoxic immunosuppressants, Metalcaptase markedly lowers IgM rheumatoid factor but produces no significant depression in absolute levels of serum immunoglobulins. Also unlike cytotoxic immunosuppressants which act on both, Metalcaptase in vitro depresses T-cell activity but not B-cell activity.
How should I take Metalcaptase?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Take Metalcaptase on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
Drink plenty of liquids while you are taking Metalcaptase.
Do not drink milk within 1 hour before or 1 hour after you take Metalcaptase.
You will need frequent urine tests.
Your condition may seem to get worse for a short time when you first start taking this medicine. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice. Every person taking Metalcaptase should remain under the care of a doctor.
It may take up to 3 months before your rheumatoid arthritis symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.
You may need to follow a special diet while using Metalcaptase. Follow all instructions of your doctor or dietitian. Learn about the foods to eat or avoid to help control your condition.
If you do stop taking Metalcaptase for any reason, do not start taking it again until you talk to your doctor.
Your doctor may want you to take a multivitamin or take extra iron or vitamin B6 while you are taking Metalcaptase. Take only the amount of supplements that your doctor has prescribed.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
Metalcaptase administration
Take Metalcaptase exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Metalcaptase must be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a full meal, and at least 1 hour before or after any other drug, food, or milk. Taking Metalcaptase with anything else in the stomach greatly decreases its effectiveness.
Do not stop taking Metalcaptase without first talking to your doctor. Stopping therapy may cause your body to react abnormally when therapy is restarted. If you do stop taking the medication, do not restart without first talking to your doctor. You may need special monitoring.
Your doctor may want you to take a vitamin and mineral supplement during treatment with Metalcaptase. Metalcaptase may reduce vitamin B6 and iron in the body. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Store Metalcaptase at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Metalcaptase pharmacology
Metalcaptase is a chelating agent recommended for the removal of excess copper in patients with Wilson's disease. From in vitro studies which indicate that one atom of copper combines with two molecules of Metalcaptase, it would appear that one gram of Metalcaptase should be followed by the excretion of about 200 milligrams of copper; however, the actual amount excreted is about one percent of this.
Metalcaptase also reduces excess cystine excretion in cystinuria. This is done, at least in part, by disulfide interchange between Metalcaptase and cystine, resulting in formation of Metalcaptase-cysteine disulfide, a substance that is much more soluble than cystine and is excreted readily.
Metalcaptase interferes with the formation of cross-links between tropocollagen molecules and cleaves them when newly formed.
The mechanism of action of Metalcaptase in rheumatoid arthritis is unknown although it appears to suppress disease activity. Unlike cytotoxic immunosuppressants, Metalcaptase markedly lowers IgM rheumatoid factor but produces no significant depression in absolute levels of serum immunoglobulins. Also unlike cytotoxic immunosuppressants which act on both, Metalcaptase in vitro depresses T-cell activity but not B-cell activity.
In vitro, Metalcaptase dissociates macroglobulins (rheumatoid factor) although the relationship of the activity to its effect in rheumatoid arthritis is not known.
In rheumatoid arthritis, the onset of therapeutic response to Metalcaptase may not be seen for two or three months. In those patients who respond, however, the first evidence of suppression of symptoms such as pain, tenderness, and swelling is generally apparent within three months. The optimum duration of therapy has not been determined. If remissions occur, they may last from months to years, but usually require continued treatment.
In all patients receiving Metalcaptase, it is important that Metalcaptase be given 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, milk, antacid, zinc or iron-containing preparation. This permits maximum absorption and reduces the likelihood of inactivation by metal binding in the gastrointestinal tract.
Pharmacokinetics
Metalcaptase is absorbed rapidly but incompletely (40-70%) from the gastrointestinal tract, with wide inter-individual variations. Food, antacids, and iron reduce absorption of the drug. The peak plasma concentration of Metalcaptase occurs 1-3 hours after ingestion; it is approximately 1-2 mg/L after an oral dose of 250 mg. The drug appears in the plasma as free Metalcaptase, Metalcaptase disulfide, and cysteine-Metalcaptase disulfide. When prolonged treatment is stopped, there is a slow elimination phase lasting 4-6 days.
More than 80% of plasma Metalcaptase is bound to proteins, especially albumin and ceruloplasmin. The drug also binds to erythrocytes and macrophages. A small fraction of the dose is metabolized in the liver to S-methyl-D-Metalcaptase. Excretion is mainly renal, mainly as disulfides.
Reviews
The results of a survey conducted on ndrugs.com for Metalcaptase are given in detail below. The results of the survey conducted are based on the impressions and views of the website users and consumers taking Metalcaptase. We implore you to kindly base your medical condition or therapeutic choices on the result or test conducted by a physician or licensed medical practitioners.User reports
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Information checked by Dr. Sachin Kumar, MD Pharmacology
