Neurological Manifestations of Arsenic Intoxication Medication

  • Author: Frances M Dyro, MD; Chief Editor: Tarakad S Ramachandran, MBBS, FRCP(C), FACP   more...
 
Updated: May 17, 2012
 

Medication Summary

The treatment of acute toxicity from arsenic consists primarily of maintaining hydration and electrolyte balance. The use of chelating agents hastens the removal of arsenic from the system. Management of arsine toxicity generally addresses the acute hepatorenal complications. The use of chelating agents in these cases is debatable.

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Chelation agents

Class Summary

These are substances that bind heavy metals in the plasma and render them nontoxic; they also aid in their excretion.

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Dimercaprol (BAL in Oil)

 

British antilewisite is agent of choice in United States. Used as chelator for other heavy metals and stocked as essential item in emergency departments and poison control centers.

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Succimer (Chemet)

 

Licensed by FDA as chelating agent for lead poisoning in children; used successfully to treat arsenic intoxication as well; available as 100-mg capsule.

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Penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen)

 

Metal chelator used to treat arsenic poisoning; forms soluble complexes with metals excreted in urine.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Frances M Dyro, MD  Associate Professor of Neurology, New York Medical College; Neuromuscular Section, Department of Neurology, Westchester Medical Center

Frances M Dyro, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and Muscular Dystrophy Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Jonathan S Rutchik, MD, MPH  Clinical Professor, Division of Occupational Medicine, Department of Neurology, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine

Jonathan S Rutchik, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, and Society of Toxicology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Glenn Lopate, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, Division of Neuromuscular Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine; Director of Neurology Clinic, St Louis ConnectCare; Consulting Staff, Department of Neurology, Barnes-Jewish Hospital

Glenn Lopate, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Baxter Grant/research funds Other; Amgen Grant/research funds None

Selim R Benbadis, MD  Professor, Director of Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Tampa General Hospital, University of South Florida College of Medicine

Selim R Benbadis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American Clinical Neurophysiology Society, American Epilepsy Society, and American Medical Association

Disclosure: UCB Pharma Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Lundbeck Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Cyberonics Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Glaxo Smith Kline Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Pfizer Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Sleepmed/DigiTrace Honoraria Speaking, consulting

Chief Editor

Tarakad S Ramachandran, MBBS, FRCP(C), FACP  Professor of Neurology, Clinical Professor of Medicine, Clinical Professor of Family Medicine, Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery, State University of New York Upstate Medical University; Chair, Department of Neurology, Crouse Irving Memorial Hospital

Tarakad S Ramachandran, MBBS, FRCP(C), FACP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Pain Medicine, American College of Forensic Examiners, American College of International Physicians, American College of Managed Care Medicine, American College of Physicians, American Heart Association, American Stroke Association, Royal College of Physicians, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Royal College of Surgeons of England, and Royal Society of Medicine

Disclosure: Abbott Labs None None; Teva Marion None None; Boeringer-Ingelheim Honoraria Speaking and teaching

References

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