The Use of Dimercaptosuccinic Acid (DMSA) in Heavy-Metal Poisoning

Unfortunately, heavy metals are present in our air, soil, paint, dental fillings, seafood, and in our water supply. Even though cases of acute arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury poisoning are rare, they do occur. DMSA is a non-toxic, water-soluble agent that binds to these heavy metals and enables your body to excrete them. It has been used to treat heavy-metal toxicity since the 1950s. Recent clinical studies have demonstrated that DMSA is the premier metal chelation compound.

Symptoms: Symptoms of heavy metal poisoning include: headache, nausea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, tiredness, joint and muscle pain, and weakness.

How to Determine Toxicity: It is quite possible for a patient to suffer from toxic metal effects without having a clear history of exposure. Stressors, such as disease, menopause, pregnancy, as well as physical and emotional trauma, can result in heavy metals escaping the body’s compartmentalization and binding mechanisms, thus leading to an increase in toxicity. Samples taken from blood, urine, hair, or fingernails can be tested to determine heavy-metal toxicity. Other test that can be helpful include Complete blood count (CBC), liver and kidney function test, and urine-protein tests.

Dosage: Oral capsules have been used extensively in treating heavy-metal toxicity. A very common protocol used is 10 mg/kg three times a day for the first five days, then 10 mg/kg twice a day for 14 days; not to exceed 500 mg/dose. The most common dosage form used is 500 mg-capsules that are compounded by a compounded pharmacy.

Adverse effects: A modest rise in transaminase activity has been reported in approximately 60% of patients. This is an early sign of liver stress. However, this increased activity has not resulted in clinically significant problems. Approximately 6% of patients have experienced skin reactions, some of which have been severe.

Pregnancy: DMSA is not teratogenic, however, it has resulted in a decrease in weight gain for pregnant mothers and fetotoxicity when really high doses are administered (greater than 100 mg/kg/day).