Chelation therapy
Complete list of drugs used to treat
arthritis.
Chelation therapy is the administration of a drug that draws toxic metals from the
bloodstream so that the body can pass them more effectively in urine or feces.
Purpose of Chelation therapy
Physicians have used chelation therapy since the 1950s to treat heavy metal
poisoning--primarily lead poisoning--and to remove metals that have built up in tissues as
a result of such genetic disorders as Wilson's disease, cystinuria, and hemochromatosis.
Chelation therapy is generally only recommmended when high levels of metal are present in
the blood, since it does not seem to benefit those with lower levels. In the case of heavy
metal poisoning, removing the patient from the toxic environment is as important for
successful recovery as chelation therapy. In addition to these accepted uses, chelation
therapy has also been promoted by some as a non-surgical alternative for the treatment of
cardiovascular disease. Advocates assert that chelation therapy can break up the plaque
that obstructs arteries and reverse the clogging symptoms of atherosclerosis. However, no
controlled scientific study has yet supported these claims and most physicians do not
recommend chelation therapy for this purpose.
Description of Chelation therapy
Currently, four drugs are used for chelation therapy: edetate calcium disodium (calcium
EDTA), dimercaprol (BAL), succimer, and d-Penicillamine. Calcium EDTA usually is injected
into a muscle, but it can be administered through a vein. BAL is injected into a muscle
and is usually used along with calcium EDTA for the treament of lead poisoning. Because
the muscular injection of these two drugs can be painful, they are normally administered
with a local anesthetic. Succimer and d-Penicillamine are given in pill form. Chelation
therapy usually takes place in a hospital; however, the drugs can be administered on an
out-patient basis.
Recommended dosage of Chelation therapy
Recommended dosage varies depending upon which drug is being used, the type and level
of metal present in the patient's blood, and the patient's age and general health. If
calcium EDTA is given on its own or with BAL, one treatment will last approximately five
days with doses being given 4-12 hours apart. A second treatment may be administered after
a two-day interval. If BAL is being given on its own, treatment will last approximately
two weeks with doses being given 4-12 hours apart. Treatment with succimer will last
approximately 19 days, while treament with d-Penicillamine may last as long as six months,
particularly if the drug is being used to remove heavy metals that have accumulated in the
blood because of a genetic disorder.
Precautions of Chelation therapy
Precautions regarding chelation therapy depend on which drug is being used. Patients
who are pregnant or who have severe kidney problems, very low urine output, or very low
blood circulation should not be given edetate calcium disodium (calcium EDTA). Patients
with abnormally low levels of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase should not be
given BAL, since the drug can trigger a breakdown of the red blood cells (hemolysis) in
these persons. BAL should also not be given to patients who are allergic to peanuts, since
the drug is mixed with peanut oil before it is administered. Finally, patients who are
allergic to penicillin should not be given d-Penicillamine.
High doses of calcium EDTA can cause kidney damage. However, this can be reversed when
the patient stops taking the drug. High doses may also cause headache, fever, chills,
nausea, and vomiting. An irregular heartbeat may also be experienced when this drug is
rapidly injected into a vein. Treament with BAL may produce a mild fever, nausea with
occasional vomiting, and an increase in liver enzymes. It also triggers a release of
histamine in the body so the patient will likely experience allergy-like symptoms, such as
a runny nose and watery eyes, which can be alleviated by antihistamines. Succimer can
produce mild nausea, fever, chills, and a skin rash. D-Penicillamine can cause an allergic
reaction, particularly in persons with a sensitivity to penicillin.
Interactions
Iron supplements should not be taken while BAL is being administered, since the
interaction between the two can cause severe vomiting. |
