Is dimercaprol a chelating agent?
Introduction. Dimercaprol, or British anti-Lewisite (BAL), is a parenterally administered heavy metal chelating agent that is used to treat arsenic, gold, copper and mercury poisoning.
What is dimercaprol use for?
Dimercaprol is used to treat arsenic/gold poisoning, mercury poisoning, and lead poisoning. Dimercaprol is used off-label in rare cases to treat Wilson disease. Dimercaprol is available under the following different brand names: BAL.
How do you administer dimercaprol?
What is the dosage of Dimercaprol? Adult: IM- Heavy metal poisoning- Initial: 400-800 mg on the 1st day followed by 200-400 mg on the 2nd and 3rd days. Reduce to 100-200 mg subsequently. To be given in divided doses at 4-hourly intervals.
What are the side effects of dimercaprol?
[13][14] Several adverse effects have occurred with dimercaprol, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, tachycardia, hypertension, headache, burning sensation in the eyes, nose, and mouth, diaphoresis, lacrimation, blepharospasm, rhinorrhea, and anxiety.
Why is dimercaprol called BAL?
Dimercaprol, also called British anti-Lewisite (BAL), is a medication used to treat acute poisoning by arsenic, mercury, gold, and lead….Dimercaprol.
| Skeletal formula and ball and stick model of dimercaprol | |
| Clinical data | |
|---|---|
| Trade names | BAL in Oil |
How is BAL administered?
General information. Dimercaprol or British Anti-Lewisite (BAL) was originally developed to counteract arsenic-containing war gases [1]. It is now used for the treatment of poisoning with heavy metals, such as arsenic, gold, lead, or mercury, and is administered by intramuscular injection.
How do you get mercury out of your body?
If you have mercury poisoning with a very high level of mercury in your blood, your doctor will probably recommend chelation therapy. This method involves using medications, called chelators, that bind to mercury in your body and help it to exit your system. Chelators can be taken as a pill or injected.
What kind of doctor treats mercury poisoning?
In patients with moderate to high suspicion for mercury toxicity, a validated test for mercury, such as a 24-hour urine mercury level, or referral to a medical toxicologist is the most appropriate approach.
How is dimercaprol administered?
Dimercaprol is injected into a muscle. A healthcare provider will give you this injection. Dimercaprol is most effective when used within 1 or 2 hours after a sudden poisoning. dimercaprol may not be as effective in treating long-term poisoning (slow poisoning that has occurred over a long period of time).
Does dimercaprol increase or decrease serum chromic chloride?
Dimercaprol may decrease the excretion rate of Chromic chloride which could result in a higher serum level. Dimercaprol may decrease the excretion rate of Chromic nitrate which could result in a higher serum level. Dimercaprol may decrease the excretion rate of Chromium which could result in a higher serum level.
Can dimercaprol be used to remove mercury from the body?
It does, however, remove inorganic mercury from the kidneys; but is not useful in the treatment of alkylmercury or phenylmercury toxicity. Dimercaprol also enhances the toxicity of selenium and tellurium, so it is not to be used to remove these elements from the body.
Is dimercaprol effective in the treatment of cadmium toxicity?
Although treatment with dimercaprol will increase the excretion of cadmium, there is a concomitant increase in renal cadmium concentration, so that its use in case of cadmium toxicity is to be avoided. It does, however, remove inorganic mercury from the kidneys; but is not useful in the treatment of alkylmercury or phenylmercury toxicity.