Copper
  Uses of this Supplement
Anemia
  Supplements with Similar Uses
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  Drugs that Interact
Summary
Allopurinol
Cimetidine
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Oral Contraceptives
Penicillamine
  Drugs that Deplete this Substance
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Nutrition
Look Up > Supplements > Copper > Interactions
Interactions with Copper
Allopurinol

Allopurinol forms complexes with copper in vitro (Malkiel et al. 1993). The ability of the drug to chelate copper may impart the protective effects against cardiac damage in bypass patients.

Cimetidine

In young rats, intermediate to high doses of cimetidine (875 to 1750 mg/kg/day) administered intragastrically four times weekly for 5 weeks elevated hepatic and plasma copper concentrations, and caused mineral redistribution as well as pathological changes in some tissues (Naveh et al. 1987).

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Administration of copper aspirinate to arthritic rats for 20 days increased hepatic copper concentrations (Kishore 1990). However, copper complexes of NSAIDs exhibit more potent anti-inflammatory activity than NSAIDs alone (Miche et al. 1997). It is not known whether copper supplements enhance the anti-inflammatory activity of NSAIDs.

Oral Contraceptives

Oral contraceptives have been shown to increase the levels of copper in women (Dorea et al. 1982; Horwitt et al. 1975; Tyrer 1984).

Penicillamine

D-penicillamine chelates copper and inhibits accumulation of copper in cells (Klein et al. 2000).


References

Dorea JG, Ferraz E, Queiroz EF. [Effects of anovulatory steroids on serum levels of zinc and copper]. Arch Latinoam Nutr. 1982;32(1):101-110.

Horwitt MK, Harvey CC, Dahm CH Jr. Relationship between levels of blood lipids, vitamins C, A, and E, serum copper compounds, and urinary excretions of tryptophan metabolites in women taking oral contraceptive therapy. Am J Clin Nutr. 1975;28(4):403-412.

Kishore V. Effects of copper aspirinate and aspirin on tissue copper, zinc, and iron concentrations following chronic oral treatment in the adjuvant arthritic rat. Biol Trace Elem Res. 1990;25:123-136.

Klein D, Lichtmannegger J, Heinzmann U, et al. Dissolution of copper-rich granules in hepatic lysomes by D-penicillamine prevents the development of fulminant hepatitis in Long-Evans cinnamon rats. J Hepatol. 2000 Feb; 32(2):193-201.

Malkiel S, Har el R, Schwalb H, et al. Interaction between allopurinol and copper: possible role in myocardial protection. Free Radic Res Commun. 1993; 18(1):7-15.

Miche H, Brumas V, Berthon G. Copper(II) interactions with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents. II. Anthranilic acid as a potential. OH-inactivating ligand. J Inorg Biochem. 1997 Oct;68(1):27-38.

Naveh Y, Weis P, Chung HR, et al. Effect of cimetidine on tissue distribution of some trace elements and minerals in the rat. J Nutr. 1987;117:1576-1587.

Tyrer LB. Nutrition and the pill. J Reprod Med. 1984;29(7 Suppl):547-550.


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