mode of action

Last reviewed 01/2018

• chelating agent - this is the mode of action when it is used in the treatment of heavy metal poisoning eg lead poisoning, Wilson's disease
• in cystinuria - thought to form a soluble disulphide complex with cystine

Complexes formed with cystine and with heavy metals eg copper in Wilson's disease, are excreted in the urine.

• rheumatoid arthritis - the mode of action when used in this condition (and its variants) is not known