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2,3‐Dimercaptosuccinic acid as an antidote for lead intoxication
Author(s) -
Graziano Joseph H,
Siris Ethel S,
Lolacono Nancy,
Silverberg Shonni J,
Turgeon Livia
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.941
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1532-6535
pISSN - 0009-9236
DOI - 10.1038/clpt.1985.67
Subject(s) - antidote , dimercaptosuccinic acid , toxicity , excretion , clinical pharmacology , pharmacology , urine , drug , urinary system , chemistry , lead poisoning , lead intoxication , medicine , psychiatry
2,3‐Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) is an orally effective drug more specific and with a wider therapeutic index than currently available drugs for lead intoxication. Eighteen men with elevated blood lead (BPb) concentrations received either 30, 20, or 10 mg/kg DMSA for 5 days in three divided daily doses. The mean BPb level decreased 72.5%, 58.3%, and 35.5% of the pretreatment values, with a simultaneous elevation in urinary Pb excretion. Clinical symptoms and biochemical indices of lead toxicity also improved. Red blood cell d ‐aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity increased, while urinary excretion of d ‐aminolevulinic acid and coproporphyrin fell. DMSA was well tolerated; the only observed adverse drug reaction was a mild, transient elevation of serum SGPT levels in two subjects. DMSA appears promising and may greatly simplify the treatment of lead intoxication. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1985) 37, 431–438; doi: 10.1038/clpt.1985.67