succimer

Succimer (meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid) is an orally active heavy metal chelating agent. It contains two sulfhydryl (thiol) groups that form stable, water-soluble complexes with metal cations, facilitating their renal excretion. Succimer is significantly less toxic than the parenteral chelator dimercaprol (BAL) and is the first orally effective treatment for lead poisoning. Its primary FDA-approved indication is for the treatment of lead poisoning in pediatric patients with blood lead levels exceeding 45 µg/dL. Beyond lead, succimer is utilized off-label or in specific international markets for the treatment of mercury and arsenic poisoning, as well as Wilson's disease (hepatolenticular degeneration) due to its ability to chelate copper.

Brand names

Chemet

Other names

meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acidDMSAdimercaptosuccinic acidmeso-DMSA