Chemet

Chemet - General Information

A mercaptodicarboxylic acid used as an antidote to heavy metal poisoning because it forms strong chelates with them.

Pharmacology of Chemet

Chemet is an orally active, heavy metal chelating agent. It forms water soluble chelates and, consequently, increases the urinary excretion of lead. Chemet is not to be used for prophylaxis of lead poisoning in a lead-containing environment. In addition, the use of succimer should always be accompanied by identification and removal of the source of the lead exposure.

Chemet for patients

Patients should be instructed to maintain adequate fluid intake. If rash occurs, patients should consult their physician. Patients should be instructed to promptly report any indication of infection, which may be a sign of neutropenia.

In young pediatric patients unable to swallow capsules, the contents of the capsule can be administered in a small amount of food.

Chemet Interactions

CHEMET is not known to interact with other drugs including iron supplements; interactions have not been systematically studied. Concomitant administration of CHEMET with other chelation therapy, such as CaNa ₂ EDTA is not recommended.

Drug/Laboratory Tests Interaction: Succimer may interfere with serum and urinary laboratory tests. In vitro studies have shown succimer to cause false positive results for ketones in urine using nitroprusside reagents such as Ketostix® and falsely decreased measurements of serum uric acid and CPK.

Chemet Contraindications

CHEMET should not be administered to patients with a history of allergy to the drug.

Additional information about Chemet

Chemet Indication: For the treatment of lead poisoning in pediatric patients with blood lead levels above 45 µg/dL. May also be used to treat mercury or arsenic poisoning.
Mechanism Of Action: Chemet binds with ions of lead in the blood to a water-soluble complex which is subsequently excreted by the kidneys.
Drug Interactions: Not Available
Food Interactions: Not Available
Generic Name: Succimer
Synonyms: DMSA; Dimercaptosuccinic acid
Drug Category: Antidotes; Chelating Agents
Drug Type: Small Molecule; Approved

Other Brand Names containing Succimer: Chemet; MPI DMSA Kidney Reagent;
Absorption: Rapid but variable.
Toxicity (Overdose): Oral LD₅₀ in mice is over 5011 mg/kg. Doses of 2300 mg/kg in the rat and 2400 mg/kg in the mouse produced ataxia, convulsions, labored respiration and frequently death. No case of overdosage has been reported in humans. Limited data indicate that succimer is dialyzable.
Protein Binding: Not Available
Biotransformation: Chemical analysis of succimer and its metabolites (primarily mixed disulfides of L-cysteine) in the urine showed that succimer was rapidly and extensively metabolized however the specific site of biotransformation is not known.
Half Life: 48 hours
Dosage Forms of Chemet: Capsule, coated pellets Oral
Chemical IUPAC Name: 2,3-bis-sulfanylbutanedioic acid
Chemical Formula: C4H6O4S2
Succimer on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Succimer
Organisms Affected: Humans and other mammals