Journal of Clinical Toxicology
Open Access

Abstract

Antidotal Effect of Succimer and CaNa₂ EDTA on Workers Exposed to Lead, Cadmium and Arsenic

Georgieva VG, Boyadzhieva V, Kuneva T and Pavlova S

A comparative evaluation was made between the antidotal effect of Succimer and СаNа2 EDTA on workers, exposed simultaneously to lead, arsenic and cadmium. The studied patients were divided into two groups: 1st group -15 individuals, treated with peroral administration of Succimer (DMSA) in a dosage of 2.1 grams per day (3 × 0.7 grams) during the first 5 days and in a dosage of 1.4 grams (2 × 0.7 grams) per day from the 6th to the 20th day; and 2nd group -20 individuals who underwent 3-day intravenous therapy, 1 gram of СаNа2 EDTA per day. Blood concentrations of lead, cadmium, arsenic, copper and zinc were measured before and after therapy, observing their urinary excretion as well. The data obtained show that both drugs have a pronounced antidotal effect on lead. The chelating effect of Succimer on arsenic is much better than that of СаNа2 EDTA. The therapy with Succimer does not lead to higher excretion of copper and zinc in urine, in comparison to СаNа2 EDTA. Appropriate for workers with low-level exposure to lead is a 7-day course of treatment with Succimer in a dosage of 2.1 grams per day.