[Animal experiments on the maintenance dose of D-penicillamine]

The question of a D-penicillamine maintenance dose was tested by the load resulting in rupture of excised strips of dorsal skin of male albino rats. The reduction in load resulting in rupture (-48.5 per cent) obtained by 14 days of treatment with 320 mg/kg/day orally can be maintained completely over a treatment period of 28 days by daily administration of half the dose (160 mg/kg/day orally). Animal experimental findings correspond well with the procedure applied in hospital, to fix the maintenance dose at 30-50 per cent of the maximal dose after full effect is reached.