[Current aspects of D-penicillamine and pregnancy]

Although the outcome of most pregnancies is normal under D-penicillamine a teratogenic effect of the drug is known from animal studies. A few cases of children with birth defects whose mothers received D-penicillamine during pregnancy are reported in the literature. Whether D-penicillamine therapy should be performed throughout pregnancy or whether it should be interrupted depends on the disease to be treated. While in patients with morbus Wilson, continuous treatment with D-penicillamine is justified, it is advisable to interrupt the therapy during pregnancy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.