Controlled trial of D-penicillamine with low dosis in the treatment of chronic liver diseases.

Controlled trial of D-penicillamine was carried out with low dosis in 10 patients with chronic persistent hepatitis, 11 patients with chronic aggressive hepatitis and 7 patients with liver cirrhosis. After 6 weeks and 6 months treatment mean values of transaminases improved in patients with chronic persistent hepatitis. The mean serum transaminases levels of the patients with chronic aggressive hepatitis were statistically decreased after 6 weeks treatment but not significantly lower after 6 months treatment than on entry. D-penicillamine is not effective for the treatment of patients with liver cirrhosis. Eight of 36 patients treated were withdrawn from the trial because of adverse drug toxicity side effects.