Adverse effects in 5 patients receiving EDTA at an outpatient chelation clinic.

Despite limited scientific evidence, Na 2 EDTA chelation therapy has been advocated for a variety of conditions including atherosclerosis. Five patients presented with symptoms that developed 30 min - 2 h into chelation therapy at an outpatient clinic with infusions of sterile water with 3 g Na 2 EDTA, 2 g MgCl, 100 mg B 1 2 , 100 mg B 6 , I ml bit B complex and IS g Vit C; I patient also received 10 ml of 50% DMSO iv. All patients experienced gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal symptoms. Additional effects were (4/5), excessive thirst (4/5), and diaphoresis (4/5). On presentation patients were hypotensive (5/5), tachycardic (4/5) and febrile (5/5). Therapy included iv. fluids (5/5), dopamine (1/5), and iv antibiotics (4/5). Initial data showed leukopenia (5/5), thrombocytopenia (3/5). bandemia (4/5), EKG abnormalities of unknown acuity (5/5), and transient, mild rise in serum creatinine (3/4). All patients were discharged without permanent sequelae. It is unclear if effects were related to dose or rate of administration.