What is Succimer?
Succimer is a treatment for lead-related poisoning. Succimer is a chelating (KEE-late-ing) substance that binds lead in the blood, allowing it to pass out through urine. Succimer is also employed for other purposes that are not covered in this guideline.
Side effects of Succimer
Contact a medical professional immediately. Get medical attention immediately if you notice symptoms that are warning signs of an allergic response, such as hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of your lips, tongue, throat, or face.
Succimer may cause serious side effects. Contact your physician immediately. If you suffer from:
- The fever, cold or flu symptoms, cough, and difficulty breathing;
- Skin sores, eruptions, or
- Gum swelling, mouth sores, and discomfort when swallowing
Common negative side effects of succimer can include:
- Vomiting, and loss of appetite.
- Diarrhoea
- A metallic taste that you can feel and taste.
This isn't a complete list of possible side effects, and others could happen. Contact your doctor for advice regarding medical effects. You can report any side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Related drugs
Lexiscan, Glucagon, Mannitol, Arginine, Ceretec, Chemet, and Calcium Disodium Versenate
Warnings
Follow all the instructions on the label of your medication and on the label of your package. Inform your health care providers about your medical ailments and allergies, as well as the medicines you are taking.
Before you take this drug
Succimer is not a good choice if you have an allergy to it.
Speak to your doctor if you are ever diagnosed with:
- Kidney disease;
- Liver disease or
- Dimercaprol treatment or edetate treatment with calcium disodium.
Succimer can harm a newborn baby. Tell your doctor when you're pregnant. It is not recommended to breastfeed when using succimer.
How to take Succimer?
Follow the directions on the label of your prescription and read the medication guide or instructions sheets. The doctor might change the dose you take. Make sure you take the medicine precisely as directed. If you're unable to take the capsule completely, break it and then sprinkle the capsule into one small portion of food. Take the medicine immediately without chewing. Don't save it for later. You could also empty all of the beads from a spoon, eat all the beads, and then sip an ice-cold glass or drink with a fruit flavour.
Drink plenty of fluids to keep your kidneys functioning correctly so that they can remove lead from your body. Succimer is generally administered every day for 19 consecutive days. It is possible to require more than one treatment. Make sure you use succimer frequently to reap the greatest benefits. Make sure to take this medication for the prescribed duration. Your symptoms could get better before the lead has been completely eliminated from your body. There are tests you may require to assist your doctor in determining the length of time you should be treated with succimer.
This medication may affect the results of certain tests. Inform any physician who treats patients that you're using succimer. Contact your physician if your symptoms don't improve or if they become worse when you use succimer. Succimer may decrease blood cells, which help your body fight off infections. This makes it more likely for you to fall sick. Your blood cells might require frequent testing. Place it in a cool, dry place far from heat and moisture.
Details on dosage:
Usual Pediatric Dose for Lead Poisoning—Severe:
1 year and older:
Initial dosage: 10 mg/kg or 350 mg/m2 once orally each 8-hour period for 5 days
Dosage of maintenance 10 mg/kg, or 350 mg/m2, taken orally daily for a period of 14 days.
8 to 15kg:
Initial dosage: 100 mg orally at 8 hours every day for 5 days.
Dosage for maintenance: 100 mg daily orally for 24 hours over 14 days.
16 to 23 kg:
Initial dosage: 200 mg orally each 8-hour period for 5 days.
Dosage for maintenance 200 mg daily orally for twelve hours for 14 consecutive days.
From 24 to 34 kilos:
Initial dosage: 300 mg in a single dose every 8 hours for 5 days.
Dosage for maintenance: 300 mg once orally every 24 hours over 14 days.
35-44 kg:
Initial dose: 400 mg taken orally each 8-hour period for 5 days.
Dosage for maintenance: 400 mg once orally every twelve hours for 14 consecutive days.
More than 45 kg:
Initial dose: 500 mg taken orally every 8 hours for 5 days.
Dosage for maintenance: 500 mg daily orally for twelve hours for 14 consecutive days.
Comments:
Do not use it to treat the symptoms of lead poisoning in an environment containing lead.
Always identify and eliminate the cause of lead exposure.
May repeat courses if required by the weekly levels of blood lead concentrations and with a minimum of at least two weeks in between classes, unless the levels of blood lead require an urgent intervention.
Use: Treatment for lead poisoning in children who have blood lead levels higher than 45 mg/dL
What happens if I miss the dose?
You should take the medication as quickly as you are able, but avoid any missed doses if you are nearing the time to take the next dose. Don't take two doses at a time.
How do I react if I consume too much?
For medical emergencies, seek emergency medical attention or contact the Poison Help line toll-free at 1-800-222-1222.
What should be avoided?
After you have determined the source or location of your lead poisoning, you should avoid coming into contact with the source or area.
Do not be around those with illnesses or who suffer from infections. Contact your doctor right away in the event that you show symptoms of an infection.
Interaction with other drugs
Other medications may interact with succimer, such as prescription and non-prescription medications, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform your physician about the medicines you are currently taking as well as any medications you are about to start or stop taking.
