Dimercaprol Pharmacology

Dimercaprol

About Dimercaprol
A dithiol chelating agent, Antidote ,Heavy metal antagonist.
Mechanism of Action of Dimercaprol
Dimercaprol is a chelating agent. The chelating agents being antagonists compete with body ligands for the heavy metals. They usually have 2 or more reacting groups which can hold the metal from 2 sides to form a ring. These should have higher affinity for the toxic metal to be excreted than Ca 2+ which is readily available in plasma than in body fluids. They should also have higher affinity for the metal than the body ligands.
The sulfhydryl groups on Dimercaprol compete with endogenous sulfhydryl groups on proteins such as enzymes to combine with these metals; The 2 SH groups of Dimercaprol bind those metals (mercury, gold, arsenic) which produce their toxicity by interacting with sulfhydryl containing enzymes in the body and forms stable soluble complex which can be easily excreted through urine
Pharmacokinets of Dimercaprol
Absorption: Dimercaprol is slowly absorbed through the skin. Distribution: Distributed to all tissues (mainly the intercellular spaces) and concentrated mainly in the liver and kidney. Metabolism: Uncomplexed Dimercaprol is easily metabolised in the liver.
Excretion: Drug and its metabolites are excreted in urine and faeces.
Onset of Action for Dimercaprol
30 minutes
Duration of Action for Dimercaprol
3 -4 hours
Half Life of Dimercaprol
N/A
Side Effects of Dimercaprol
1 Increased blood pressure
2.Tachycardia
3.Nausea
4.Vomiting
5.Headache
6.Burning sensation in lips, mouth and throat
7.Abdominal pain
8.Tingling
9.Inflammation of mucous membrane
10.Sweating
11.Pain in chest, throat or hands
12.Painful sterile abscess at the site of injection
13.Salivation
14.Lacrimation
15.Fever
16.Muscle pain
17.Paresthesia
Contra-indications of Dimercaprol
1.Hypersensitivity to Dimercaprol, peanut or peanut products
2.Hepatic impairment
3.Iron, Selenium, or Cadmium poisoning
Special Precautions while taking Dimercaprol
1.Hypertension
2.Oliguria
3.Hepatic impairment
Pregnancy Related Information
Use only in life threatening acute poisoning
Old Age Related Information
Use with caution
Breast Feeding Related Information
Use only in life threatening acute poisoning
Children Related Information
Use with caution
Indications for Dimercaprol
1.Arsenic, gold, mercury, Bismuth, Nickel and Antimony poisoning
2.Adjuvant to Disodium calcium EDTA (CaNa2EDTA) in lead poisoning
3.Adjuvant to Penicillamine in copper poisoning
Interactions for Dimercaprol
N/A
Typical Dosage for Dimercaprol
Parenteral (as deep IM injection)
Adult and children: 600 mg / day in 6 divided doses for 2 days, then 300 mg / day in 3 divided doses for 8 - 10 days.
Acute poisoning:
Severe Arsenic and gold poisoning: 3mg / kg are given as deep IM at 6 times daily for 2 days followed by 4 times daily (on 3rd day only).
Maintenance dose (for Arsenic poisoning): 3mg / kg twice daily for next 10 days or until recovery is complete. Maintenance dose (for gold poisoning): 3mg / kg twice daily for 3 months.
Mild Arsenic and gold poisoning: 2.5mg / kg is given as deep IM at 6 times daily for 2 days, followed by 2 times daily on 3rd day. Maintenance dose3mg / kg once daily for next 10 days or until recovery is complete.

Acute mercury poisoning: Initial dose: 5mg/ kg followed by 2.5 mg / kg every 12 hours for 10 days or until recovery are assured.
Wilson`s disease: 2.5mg/kg twice daily for 2 days followed by 2 days rest and repeat if necessary.
Severe gold dermatitis: 2.5 mg / kg 6 times daily for 2 days followed by same dose 2 times daily for 1 week
Gold induced thrombocytopenia: 100mg /kg 2 times daily for 15 days
Accidental arsenic poisoning in the eyes: 5 -10 percent oily solution of Dimercaprol is instilled in to the conjunctival sac within 5 minutes of contamination.
Schedule of Dimercaprol
N/A
Storage Requirements for Dimercaprol
Store at 15 - 30 degree C protected from light. Keep out of the reach of children.
Effects of Missed Dosage of Dimercaprol
Do not apply
Effects of Overdose of Dimercaprol
Give supportive measures and symptomatic treatment. Seizure can be controlled by Diazepam.

Home Delivery for Dimercaprol in Your City

Medicine India is just a publishing medium for medicine related information and does not provide services or sales of medicines including dimercaprol.

However, we do publish a comprehensive directory of Pharmacies, Chemists and Druggists in cities all over India. You can use this directory to find the medicine stores in your city (or area) that provide home delivery services for dimercaprol and other medicines and health products. Home delivery services for dimercaprol may be free or they may cost you depending on the pharmacy and the minimum order requirements. It would be best to get this clarified while placing the order.

Please be aware that you should take dimercaprol only if a doctor has recommended or prescribed it. Some or all pharmacies who provide a home delivery service for medicines might insist on a prescription for dimercaprol before they complete the sale. You can get this information while placing the order for dimercaprol with the pharmacy.

Dimercaprol is a generic medicine name and there are several brands available for it. Some of the brands for dimercaprol might be better known than dimercaprol itself. If the pharmacy that's willing to deliver medicines to your home doesn't have dimercaprol in stock, you can ask for one of the branded alternatives for dimercaprol.