[Penicillamine-induced myasthenia in chronic rheumatoid arthritis (author's transl)]

A myasthenic reaction developed after an average latency of seven to eight months in 12 female patients (average age 51 years) treated with penicillamine for chronic rheumatoid arthritis. In most of them only the purely ocular form was noted, but generalisation of various degrees also occurred. When penicillamine had been discontinued the myasthenic signs were almost always fully reversible, recurring once again when treatment with penicillamine was started. In some instances a transitory symptomatic treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors was necessary. The occurrence of the myasthenic signs in these circumstances is probably similar to the anti-basal membrane nephropathy induced by penicillamine.