Dimercaprol (1 brand name, 1 dosage form, 1 route)
Available dosage forms: INJECTABLE.
Routes of administration: INJECTION.
Brand Names
- BAL
Indications and Usage
BAL in Oil (Dimercaprol Injection USP) is indicated in the treatment of arsenic, gold and mercury poisoning. It is indicated in acute lead poisoning when used concomitantly with Edetate Calcium Disodium Injection USP. Dimercaprol Injection USP is effective for use in acute poisoning by mercury salts if therapy is begun within one or two hours following ingestion. It is not very effective for chronic mercury poisoning. Dimercaprol Injection USP is of questionable value in poisoning caused by other heavy metals such as antimony and bismuth. It should not be used in iron, cadmium, or selenium poisoning because the resulting dimercaprol-metal complexes are more toxic than the metal alone, especially to the kidneys.
Dosage and Administration
By deep intramuscular injection only. For mild arsenic or gold poisoning, 2.5 mg/kg of body weight four times daily for two days, two times on the third day, and once daily thereafter for ten days; for severe arsenic or gold poisoning, 3 mg/kg every four hours for two-days, four times on the third day, then twice daily thereafter for ten days. For mercury poisoning, 5 mg/kg initially, followed by 2.5 mg/kg one or two times daily for ten days. For acute lead encephalopathy, 4 mg/kg body weight is given alone in the first dose and thereafter at four-hour intervals in combination with Edetate Calcium Disodium Injection USP administered at a separate site. For less severe poisoning the dose can be reduced to 3 mg/kg after the first dose. Treatment is maintained for two to seven days depending on clinical response. Successful treatment depends on beginning injections at the earliest possible moment and on the use of adequate amounts at frequent intervals. Other supportive measures should always be used in conjunction with BAL in Oil (Dimercaprol Injection USP) therapy. BAL in Oil should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration.
Contraindications
BAL in Oil (Dimercaprol Injection USP) is contraindicated in most instances of hepatic insufficiency with the exception of postarsenical jaundice. The drug should be discontinued or used only with extreme caution if acute renal insufficiency develops during therapy.
Adverse Reactions
One of the most consistent responses to Dimercaprol Injection USP is a rise in blood pressure accompanied by tachycardia. This rise is roughly proportional to the dose administered. Doses larger than those recommended may cause other transitory signs and symptoms in approximate order of frequency as follows: (1) nausea and, in some instance, vomiting; (2) headache; (3) a burning sensation in the lips, mouth and throat; (4) a feeling of constriction, even pain, in the throat, chest, or hands; (5) conjunctivitis, lacrimation, blepharal spasm, rhinorrhea, and salivation; (6) tingling of the hands; (7) a burning sensation in the penis; (8) sweating of the forehead, hands and other areas; (9) abdominal pain; and (10) occasional appearance of painful sterile abscesses. Many of the above symptoms are accompanied by a feeling of anxiety, weakness, and unrest and often are relieved by administration of antihistamine.
Overdosage
Dosage exceeding 5 mg/kg will usually be followed by vomiting, convulsions and stupor, beginning within 30 minutes and subsiding within 6 hours following injection. AMER. HOSP. FORM. SERV., 64:00, Amer. Soc. Hosp. Pharm., 1977.