Dimercaprol
Indications
Dimercaprol is used for:
Acute poisoning by antimony, arsenic, bismuth, gold, mercury, possibly thallium;
Adjunct (with sodium calcium edetate) in lead poisoning
Adult Dose
Poisoning by heavy metals, by IM injection, ADULT and CHILD 2.5–3 mg/kg every 4 hours for 2 days, 2–4 times on the third day, then 1–2 times daily for 10 days or until recovery
Child Dose
Poisoning by heavy metals, by IM injection, ADULT and CHILD 2.5–3 mg/kg every 4 hours for 2 days, 2–4 times on the third day, then 1–2 times daily for 10 days or until recovery
Renal Dose
Administration
For Intramuscular injection
Contra Indications
Not indicated for iron, selenium or cadmium poisoning;
Severe hepatic impairment (unless due to arsenic poisoning)
Precautions
Hypertension;
Renal impairment (discontinue or use with extreme caution if impairment develops during treatment);
Any abnormal reaction such as hyperpyrexia should be assessed;
Elderly;
Pregnancy; Breastfeeding
Pregnancy-Lactation
Recommendations on the use of Dimercaprol in Pregnancy & Lactation:
Dimercaprol has been used with successful full-term pregnancies, but since there is no other experience of its use in pregnancy or lactation; it should be avoided and prescribed with caution during these periods if needed for life-threatening acute poisoning. It is FDA category C drug in pregnancy (BAL (Dimercaprol) Dosing, Indications, Interactions, Adverse Effects, and More, n.d.; Dimercaprol, n.d.).
References:
1. BAL (dimercaprol) dosing, indications, interactions, adverse effects, and more. (n.d.). Retrieved 15 August 2020, from https://reference.medscape.com/drug/bal-dimercaprol-343726#6
2. Dimercaprol. (n.d.). Retrieved 15 August 2020, from https://www.glowm.com/resources/glowm/cd/pages/drugs/d043.html
Interactions
Adverse Effects
Side effects of Dimercaprol :
Hypertension, tachycardia;
Malaise, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, salivation, lacrimation, sweating, burning sensation in the mouth, throat and eyes;
Feeling of constriction in throat and chest;
Headache, muscle spasms, tingling of the extremities;
Fever in children;
Local pain and abscess at injection site