Dimercaprol

Dimercaprol is a chelating agent that helps remove heavy metals (like lead or mercury) from the blood.

Dimercaprol is used to treat arsenic, gold, or mercury poisoning. It is also used with another medicine called edetate disodium (EDTA) to treat lead poisoning.

Dimercaprol may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Dimercaprol is injected into a muscle. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Dimercaprol works best when used within 1 or 2 hours after sudden poisoning. dimercaprol may not work as well for long-term poisoning (poisoning that has happened over a long time).

Dimercaprol is sometimes given for several days, depending on the type of poisoning being treated.

In a poisoning situation, you may not be able to inform your caregivers about your health conditions. Ensure that any doctor treating you afterward is aware that you have received dimercaprol.

If you can, before you receive dimercaprol, inform your doctor if you have:

• liver or kidney disease;
• an allergy to any drugs; or
• if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

This medicine contains peanut oil. Inform your doctor if you have a peanut allergy.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known if dimercaprol will harm an unborn baby. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is not known if dimercaprol passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

In an emergency, it may not be possible to tell your caregivers if you are pregnant or breast-feeding before you are treated with dimercaprol. However, ensure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows that you have received this medicine.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your caregiver right away if you have:

• severe drowsiness, severe headache;
• severe nausea or vomiting, stomach pain;
• pain or pressure in your throat or chest;
• anxiety, restless feeling, rapid heartbeats;
• pain, tingling, or tight feeling in your hands;
• burning sensation in your mouth and throat;
• burning sensation in your penis;
• red or watery eyes, twitching eyelids;
• runny nose, increased salivation; or
• signs of a kidney problem--little or no urinating; painful or difficult urination; swelling in your feet or ankles; feeling tired or short of breath.

Common side effects include:

• weakness;
• headache;
• fever (especially in children); or
• pain or a hard lump where the medicine was injected.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Because you will receive dimercaprol in a clinical setting, it is unlikely that you will miss a dose.

Since dimercaprol is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to happen.

Follow your doctor's instructions about any limits on food, drinks, or activities.

Other drugs may interact with dimercaprol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform all of your health care providers about all medicines you are currently using and any medicine you begin or stop using.