Sodium calcium edetate

Sodium calcium edetate (sodium calcium EDTA), also known as edetate calcium disodium among other names, is a medication primarily used to treat lead poisoning. This includes short term and long term lead poisoning. For lead encephalopathy it is typically used together with dimercaprol. It does not appear to be useful for tetraethyllead toxicity. It is given by slow injection into a vein or into a muscle. Sodium calcium edetate (sodium calcium EDTA), also known as edetate calcium disodium among other names, is a medication primarily used to treat lead poisoning. This includes short term and long term lead poisoning. For lead encephalopathy it is typically used together with dimercaprol. It does not appear to be useful for tetraethyllead toxicity. It is given by slow injection into a vein or into a muscle. Common side effects include pain at the site of injection. Other side effects may include kidney problems, diarrhea, fever, muscle pains, and low blood pressure. Benefits when needed in pregnancy are likely greater than the risks. Sodium calcium edetate is in the chelating agent family of medication. It is a salt of edetate with two sodium and one calcium atoms. It works by binding a number of heavy metals which allows them to leave the body in the urine. Sodium calcium edetate came into medical use in the United States in 1953. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system. In the United States a course of treatment costs 50 to 100 USD as of 2015. Edetate disodium is a different formulation which does not have the same effects. The primarily use is to treat lead poisoning. In lead toxicity it is an alternative to succimer. It may also be used for plutonium toxicity. Sodium calcium edetate came into medical use in the United States in 1953.