Treatment FAQ

what is dmsa for arsenic treatment

by Greta Leuschke Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

Dimercaptosuccinic acid, also called succimer, is a medication used to treat lead, mercury, and arsenic poisoning
arsenic poisoning
Arsenic poisoning is a medical condition that occurs due to elevated levels of arsenic in the body. If arsenic poisoning occurs over a brief period of time, symptoms may include vomiting, abdominal pain, encephalopathy, and watery diarrhea that contains blood.
https://en.wikipedia.orgwiki › Arsenic_poisoning
.

What is DMSA used for?

(3) DMSA was used in inorganic lead poisoning, and was shown to have lead excreted in urine with relief from symptoms such as headache, constipation and lethargy. (4)

What is the efficacy of DMPS in the treatment of arsenic poisoning?

Significant improvement of symptoms and signs of chronic arsenic poisoning has been demonstrated in a prospective single blind, placebo-controlled trial with DMPS [Mazumder et al. 2001].

What is DMSA and detoxing heavy metals?

DMSA and Detoxing Heavy Metals. Chelation therapy provides benefits by reducing the body burden of these toxins, resulting in improved physiological functioning and better health. The two most widely used oral chelating agents are EDTA and DMSA.

Can DMSA be used for mercury poisoning?

Oral DMSA therapy has also resulted in increased urinary secretion of zinc and copper which are otherwise important minerals in the human body (1, 2). Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), also known as succimer, has been used in the treatment of mercury poisoning as the article above mentioned.

image

Does DMSA remove arsenic?

The combination of alpha lipoic acid and DMSA has proved to be beneficial against arsenic-mediated toxicity due to the additional benefits obtained from the chelating nature of lipoic acid as well as its ability to augment cellular GSH levels [69].

Does DMSA chelate arsenic?

DMPS (unithiol) and DMSA (succimer), dithiol water-soluble analogs of BAL, were developed in the Soviet Union and China in the late 1950s. These three agents have remained the mainstay of chelation treatment of arsenic and mercury intoxication for more than half a century.

What is DMSA antidote?

Meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) is a sulfhydryl-containing, water-soluble, non-toxic, orally-administered metal chelator which has been in use as an antidote to heavy metal toxicity since the 1950s.

What is oral DMSA?

Conclusion: Oral DMSA 30 mg/kg/day is an effective antidote for lead poisoning, though there is a wide inter- and intra-individual variation in response.

What are the side effects of DMSA?

Although DMSA it is known to be a safe agent when used in correct clinical settings, there have been reports of GI upsets, skin reactions, mild neutropenia, and elevated liver enzymes. A rare side effect reported is mucocutaneous eruptions and toxic epidermal necrosis that resolves when DMSA is discontinued.

What metals does DMSA remove?

DMSA (2-3 dimercaptosuccinic acid) is another chelating agent know commercially as available Succimer. It is commonly used to chelate lead for the treatment of lead toxicity. It is also very effective for the removal of mercury, cadmium, uranium, thallium, and other toxic metals.

Does DMSA damage the kidneys?

Children with normal RBUS after their first FUTI had abnormal DMSA in 15/151 (10%) aged ≤ 24 months and 23/119 (19%) aged > 24 months. RBUS had poor sensitivity (34%) and low positive predictive value (47%) to identify patients with renal damage. 99/149 (66%) children with renal damage on DMSA had normal RBUS.

How do you use DMSA?

The dosage of DMSA used should be calculated from the subject's current body weight. The patient should provide two separate random urine samples, the first one immediately before taking DMSA and the second 2½ hours (150 minutes) after taking the capsules. Any urine produced in between should be discarded.

Is DMSA a prescription?

This medication requires a prescription from your doctor.

Can you buy DMSA over the counter?

DMSO is available without a prescription most often in gel or cream form. It can be purchased in health food stores, by mail order, and on the Internet. While it can sometimes be found as an oral supplement, its safety is unclear. DMSO is primarily used by applying it to the skin.

Can I buy DMSA?

Simple to use and effective, DMSA is now available to buy in dietary supplement form, specifically formulated to contain 100 mg of DMSA per capsule. Given its effect, however, DMSA must be used with caution. It is advisable to seek advice from a health professional before taking it.

When should I take DMSA?

Take a DMSA capsule on 2 consecutive days each week on an empty stomach (e.g., Saturday and Sunday morning 1 hour before breakfast with a glass of water). The dose of the DMSA capsule will be given by the prescribing doctor.

What is DMSA used for?

Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), also known as succimer, has been used in the treatment of mercury poisoning as the article above mentioned. It has also been used in the cases of lead and arsenic poisoning. (1) It has been included in the list of Essential Medicines by the World Health Organization. (2)

What is DMSA in medicine?

DMSA , or Dimercaptosuccinic acid, is a sulfhydryl-containing substance that binds to mercury, lead, cadmium and zinc. It is a water-soluble, non-toxic, orally administered metal chelator that has been in use as an antidote for heavy metal toxicity and mercury poisoning treatment since the 1950s. Research confirms that it is effective, yet safe ...

How is DMSA absorbed?

20% of orally administered DMSA is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, which is two to four times the amount of EDTA that is absorbed.

Does DMSA reduce platelets?

Medical and behavioral studies conducted by Adams et al. in 2009 state that DMSA-mediated heavy metal reduction greatly led to normal levels of RBC glutathione and platelets , along with dramatically reducing inflammation in Autistic children.

Is DMSA safe for neurological disorders?

Though DMSA has a number of benefits in treating heavy metal intoxication, it's exact role for treating neurological disorders is not well established since it is unable to cross the blood-brain-barrier. Papular rash, pruritis and mucocutaneous reactions, or high hepatic transaminases have occurred during clinical trials. Oral DMSA therapy has also resulted in increased urinary secretion of zinc and copper which are otherwise important minerals in the human body (1, 2).

How much DMSA is absorbed?

DMSA’s water-solubility, oral dosing, large therapeutic window and low toxicity make it the chelator of choice for many applications. About 20 percent of orally administered DMSA is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. This is two to four times the percentage of EDTA that is absorbed.

What is EDTA used for?

EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) is a synthetic amino acid food preservative that has been used for nearly 50 years to clinically treat heavy metal toxicity and chronic degenerative diseases —especially, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Nevertheless, most orthodox physicians often deride claims of any benefit from chelation therapy, ...

How long does it take to take 10 mg of a sulfate supplement?

The dosage regimen recommended in conventional medical publications such as the Physicians’ Desk Reference (PDR) is 10 mg per kg every eight hours for five days; then reduce the dose to twice daily for two more weeks, off for two weeks, and repeat as necessary.

Is DMSA a sulfhydryl containing chelator?

DMSA (meso-2,-3-dimercaptosuccinic acid) is a sulfhydryl-containing, water-soluble, non-toxic, orally administered metal chelator 1 that has been in use as an antidote to heavy metal toxicity since the 1950s. Research confirms this substance’s efficacy and safety, and supports its use as the premier oral metal chelator for mercury—and its efficacy ...

How much DMPS is needed for mercury?

DMPS has clearly demonstrated elimination effects on the connective tissue. The DMPS dose is 3-5 mg /kg of body weight once a month which is injected slowly intravenously over five minutes.

How much Selenium should I take daily for mercury removal?

Vitamin E doses of 400 I.U per day have been shown to have a protective effect when the brain is exposed to methyl-mercury. Selenium, 200-400 mcg daily, is a particularly important trace mineral in mercury elimination and should be used for most patients

How much mercury is in dental amalgam?

A single dental amalgam filling with a surface area of only 0.4 sq.cm is estimated to release as much as 15 micrograms of mercury per day primarily through mechanical wear and evaporation. The average individual has eight amalgam fillings and could absorb up to 120 micrograms ...

What are the problems associated with amalgam fillings?

The scientific literature shows that amalgam fillings have been associated with a variety of problems such as Alzheimer's Disease, autoimmunity, kidney dysfunction, infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome, neurotransmitter imbalances, food allergies, multiple sclerosis, thyroid problems, and an impaired immune system.

What is systemic elimination?

The most important part of systemic elimination is to remove the source of mercury. For most this involves amalgam removal. Individuals should seek a dentist who is specially trained in this area as improperly removed amalgam may result in unnecessarily high exposure to mercury.

Why do dissimilar metals in the mouth have a battery-like effect?

When dissimilar metals are placed in the oral cavity they exert a battery-like effect because of the electroconductivity of the saliva. The electrical current causes metal ions to go into solution at a much higher rate, thereby increasing the exposure to mercury vapor and mercury ions many fold.

What is the OSHA standard for arsenic?

OSHA is the federal regulatory agency responsible for enforcing federal workplace health standards. OSHA’s standard for arsenic also requires that medical examinations be provided for all employees exposed to levels of inorganic arsenic above the action level of 5 micrograms per meter cubed for at least 30 days per year.

What are the key factors in the initial management of acute arsenic intoxication?

Most frequently, removal from exposure is the key management intervention for arsenic effects due to overexposure. Gut decontamination and hemodynamic stabilization are key factors in the initial management of acute arsenic intoxication.

How long after exposure to arsenic can you use chelation?

In animal models, the efficacy of chelation therapy generally declines as the time elapsed since exposure increases. If patients are treated within several hours after arsenic ingestion, chelation is likely to be beneficial.

What is the best chelating agent for arsenic?

Dimercaprol (2, 3 dimercaptopropanol, also known as British anti Lewisite or BAL), was previously the most frequently recommended chelating agent for arsenic. The currently recommended treatment is 2-3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonate (DMPS) or meso 2, 3-dimer-captosuccinic acid (DMSA).

Is arsenic exposure asymptomatic?

Patients presenting to their primary care providers with a history of arsenic exposure will vary widely in their clinical condition. Some will be asymptomatic. Some will just be beginning to show signs of arsenic-associated disease, and others will have more established disease. The care provided, including any referrals made, ...

Can you have gastric lavage after arsenic poisoning?

Aggressive intravenous fluid replacement therapy may be life–saving in severe poisoning. Gastric lavage may be useful soon after an acute ingestion to prevent further absorption.

Can vitamin A be used for keratosis?

Studies suggest that the use of vitamin A analogs ( retinoids) may be useful in treating pre-cancerous arsenical keratoses [Elmariah et al. 2008]. Recovery from chronic arsenic toxicity, particularly from the resulting peripheral neuropathy, may take months and may not be complete.

What are the side effects of DMPS?

Side effects in people who have generally tolerated DMPS include dizziness and weakness, the lowering of blood pressure, and flu-like symptoms.

Does clay absorb toxins?

Thu s, the toxins cannot resist being drawn towards the clay. Bentonite clay has a great capacity for absorbing many times its own weight in toxins. In other words, clay baths have been shown to literally pull pollutants out through the skin, getting rid of many months and years of toxic accumulations.

Is DMPS an experimental drug?

DMPS can also be taken orally, intravenously, or as a suppository, though it is most commonly given as an infusion or injection. It is an experimental drug, and has NOT been approved by the FDA.

Is oral DMSA safe?

Oral administration is generally safer, because a patient can monitor the dose and test for side effects. The side effects of DMSA include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, appetite loss and rashes. As with other chelating drugs, kidney and liver function needs to be closely monitored.

Is DMSA safer than DMPS?

DMSA comes in capsule or suppository form, and is considered to be much safer than DMPS. In research studies, DMSA was proven to be three times less toxic than DMPS. DMSA is commonly prescribed orally. Oral administration is generally safer, because a patient can monitor the dose and test for side effects.

Is EDTA a life saving drug?

These chelators are life-saving drugs in cases of acute metal poisoning. Of these, the DMSA and DMPS especially carry risks of harm, and should only be used as a last resort. EDTA is usually given intravenously, though it has recently become available in pill form.

image

DMSA

  • DMSA (meso-2,-3-dimercaptosuccinic acid) is a sulfhydryl-containing, water-soluble, non-toxic, orally administered metal chelator1that has been in use as an antidote to heavy metal toxicity since the 1950s. Research confirms this substance’s efficacy and safety, and supports its use as the premier oral metal chelator for mercury—and its efficacy fo...
See more on warddeanmd.com

Lead Increases Vascular Disease, Cancer and Overall Mortality

  • Lead poisoning has long been recognized as a health hazard. Lead has been historically used in a number of industrial processes, including the manufacture of batteries, paints, and as an additive in gasoline. Acute lead poisoning (short-term, high exposure) causes symptoms of abdominal pain or “lead colic,” cognitive deficits, peripheral neuropathy, arthralgias, decreased libido and an…
See more on warddeanmd.com

Mercury and Cardiovascular Disease

  • Until recently, the notion of treating heart disease with chelation therapy—one of the mechanisms of which is to remove heavy metals—was scorned by the medical establishment. But it appears that, once again, the field of “alternative medicine” has been ahead of its time. In an article in the November 28, 2002, issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, “Mercury, fish oils, and the ri…
See more on warddeanmd.com

Safety of DMSA

  • DMSA is very safe, and usually causes few side effects. Some patients may experience slight gastrointestinal distress or itching, when higher doses are used. As with any chelating agent, DMSA can cause deficiencies of copper, manganese, molybdenum and zinc, if they are not replaced by supplementation. DMSA doesn’t directly bind magnesium, cysteine, or glutathione, b…
See more on warddeanmd.com

Dosage

  • Dosage recommendations for DMSA vary widely. The dosage regimen recommended in conventional medical publications such as the Physicians’ Desk Reference (PDR) is 10 mg per kg every eight hours for five days; then reduce the dose to twice daily for two more weeks, off for two weeks, and repeat as necessary. I think this is pretty aggressive, and often results in gastrointest…
See more on warddeanmd.com

Children with Autism: Smaller Dosage Now Available

  • In one popular chelation protocol for children with autism, the dosage of DMSA is calculated based on the child’s weight, at 1/8 to 1/2 mg per pound. It is administered in divided doses, every four hours. This dose is given every day for three days, followed by a rest period of four days. Many children have remained on this regimen for as long as two to three years, with continued i…
See more on warddeanmd.com

References

  • 1. Aposhian H. DMSA and DMPS? Water-soluble antidotes for heavy metal poisoning. Ann Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 1983, 23:193-215. 2. Aposhian H, Maiorino R, Rivera M, et al. Human studies with the chelating agents, DMPS and DMSA. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1992, 30:505-528. 3. Maiorino R, Bruce D, Aposhian H. Determination and metabolism of dithiol chelating agents. VI. Isolation …
See more on warddeanmd.com

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9