dimercaprol

If possible, before you receive dimercaprol, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have liver or kidney disease.

Dimercaprol may contain peanut oil. Tell your caregivers if you have a peanut allergy.

In a poisoning situation, it may not be possible before you are treated to tell your caregivers about any health conditions you have or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. However, make sure any doctor caring for you afterward knows that you have received this medication.

Dimercaprol is most effective when used within 1 or 2 hours after a poisoning. It may not be as effective in treating long-term poisoning.

Dimercaprol is a chelating (KEE-late-ing) agent. A chelating agent is capable of removing a heavy metal, such as lead or mercury, from the blood.

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

Dimercaprol may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

If possible, before you receive dimercaprol, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have liver or kidney disease.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to receive dimercaprol, or you may need a dose or special tests to safely receive this medication.

Dimercaprol may contain peanut oil. Tell your caregivers if you have a peanut allergy.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby and is not recommended in pregnant women unless clearly needed.

It is not known whether dimercaprol passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby.

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

Dimercaprol is given as an injection into a muscle. You will receive this injection in a hospital or emergency setting.

Dimercaprol may be given for several days, depending on the type of poisoning being treated.

Dimercaprol is most effective when used within 1 or 2 hours after a poisoning. It may not be as effective in treating long-term poisoning.

Since dimercaprol is given as needed by a healthcare professional, it is not likely that you will miss a dose.

Tell your caregivers right away if you think you have received too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, extreme drowsiness, or seizure (convulsions).

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity after you are treated with dimercaprol.

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 caregivers at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• fast heart rate, feeling anxious or restless;
• pain or tightness in your throat, chest, or hands;
• burning sensation of your throat, mouth, or lips; or
• burning sensation in your penis.

Less serious side effects include:

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;
• numbness or tingling (especially around your mouth);
• headache;
• eye redness, swelling, or watering;
• twitching of your eyelid;
• runny nose;
• increased sweating;
• mild fever; or
• pain, redness, or swelling where the needle is placed.

This list is not complete, and other side effects may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effects.

There may be other drugs that can interact with dimercaprol. Tell your doctor about all prescription and over-the-counter medications you have recently used, including vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors.

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about dimercaprol.