Dimercaprol is an antidote medicine that promotes the excretion of heavy metals through urine and feces, and is widely used in the treatment of poisoning by arsenic, gold or mercury.
Dimercaprol can be purchased in conventional pharmacies as a solution for injection and therefore it should only be administered by a professional in the hospital or health post, for example.
Indications for Dimercaprol
Dimercaprol is indicated for the treatment of poisoning by arsenic, gold and mercury. In addition, it can also be used in acute mercury poisoning.
How to use Dimercaprol
The use of Dimercaprol varies according to the problem to be treated, and general indications include:
- Mild poisoning by arsenic or gold: 2.5 mg / kg, 4 times daily for 2 days; 2 times on the 3rd day and once a day for 10 days;
- Serious poisoning by arsenic or gold: 3 mg / kg, 4 times a day for 2 days; 4 times on the 3rd day and 2 times a day for 10 days;
- Mercury poisoning: 5 mg / kg in the first days and 2.5 mg / kg, 1 to 2 times per day for 10 minutes;
However, the dosage of Dimercaprol should always be indicated by the prescribing physician.
Side effects of Dimercaprol
The main side effects of Dimercaprol include increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, pain at the injection site, bad breath, tremors, belly pain and back pain.
Contraindications of Dimercaprol
Dimercaprol is contraindicated in patients with hepatic impairment and in the treatment of iron, cadmium, selenium, silver, uranium poisoning.
