Dimercaprol
Also known as: BAL in Oil, Sulfactin Homburg, British anti-lewisite
- **Strict Supervision Required**: Because of the potential toxicity of this agent and the life-threatening nature of heavy metal intoxications, this drug must be used with close professional veterinary supervision, typically in a hospital setting. - **Unusual Odor**: Dimercaprol can impart a strong, unpleasant mercaptan-like (garlic or skunk-like) odor to your animal's breath. This is a normal effect of the medication. - **Injection Pain**: The medication is given as a deep muscle injection and can be quite painful for your pet.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
What it is used for
- Arsenic toxicity
- Arsenic toxicity
- Arsenic toxicity
- Arsenic toxicity
- Arsenic toxicity (no clinical signs)
- Arsenic toxicity (clinical signs)
- Arsenic, lead or mercury poisoning
- Mercury toxicity
- Arsenic toxicity
- Arsenic toxicity
- Mercury toxicity
- Arsenic toxicity
- Arsenic toxicity
- Arsenic toxicity
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Pain at injection site
- Vomiting
- Seizures (at higher dosages)
- Transient increases in blood pressure
- Tachycardia
- Nephrotoxicity
Cautions & contraindications
- Impaired hepatic function (unless secondary to acute arsenic toxicity)
- Iron poisoning
- Cadmium poisoning
- Selenium poisoning
- Dimercaprol is potentially **nephrotoxic**; use cautiously in patients with impaired renal function. To protect the kidneys, the urine should be alkalinized to prevent the chelated drug from dissociating in the urine. Animals with diminished renal function or who develop renal dysfunction while on therapy should have the dosage adjusted or therapy discontinued. IM injections must be administered deeply to minimize pain. May decrease Iodine I 131 thyroidal uptake values.
Drug interactions
- Iron: Forms a highly toxic complex. Do not administer with iron salts; wait at least 24 hours after the last dimercaprol dose before starting iron therapy.
- Selenium: Forms a highly toxic complex. Do not administer with selenium salts; wait at least 24 hours after the last dimercaprol dose before starting selenium therapy.
- Cadmium: Forms a highly toxic complex.
- Uranium: Forms a highly toxic complex.
- Iron supplements: Forms highly toxic complexes
Frequently asked questions
What is Dimercaprol used for in pets?
- **Strict Supervision Required**: Because of the potential toxicity of this agent and the life-threatening nature of heavy metal intoxications, this drug must be used with close professional veterinary supervision, typically in a hospital setting. - **Unusual Odor**: Dimercaprol can impart a strong, unpleasant mercaptan-like (garlic or skunk-like) odor to your animal's breath. This is a normal effect of the medication. - **Injection Pain**: The medication is given as a deep muscle injection and can be quite painful for your pet.
Is Dimercaprol safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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