Dimercaprol

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your caregiver right away if you have:

• severe drowsiness, severe headache;
• severe nausea or vomiting, stomach pain;
• pain or pressure in your throat or chest;
• anxiety, restless feeling, rapid heartbeats;
• pain, tingling, or tight feeling in your hands;
• burning sensation in your mouth and throat;
• burning sensation in your penis;
• red or watery eyes, twitching eyelids;
• runny nose, increased salivation; or
• signs of a kidney problem--little or no urinating; painful or difficult urination; swelling in your feet or ankles; feeling tired or short of breath.

Common side effects include:

• weakness;
• headache;
• fever (especially in children); or
• pain or a hard lump where the medicine was injected.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Dimercaprol is available in the following forms:

• Injectable Solution

Dimercaprol is a chelating (KEE-late-ing) agent that is used to remove a heavy metal (such as lead or mercury) from the blood.

Dimercaprol is used to treat arsenic, gold, or mercury poisoning. It is also used together with another medicine called edetate disodium (EDTA) to treat lead poisoning.

Dimercaprol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.