EDTA

Administration

  • Type: Antidote (chelator)
  • Dosage Forms:
  • Routes of Administration: IV/IM
  • Alternate names: Calcium Disodium Edathamil, Calcium Disodium Edetate, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, Edetic acid, Edetate calcium

Adult Dosing

  • Asymptomatic or symptomatic lead poisoning, level 20-70 mcg/dL: 1000 mg/m(2)/day IV over 8-12h OR IM in divided doses q8-12 hours
  • Administer with dimercaprol if level >70 mcg/dL or symptomatic

Pediatric Dosing

  • Same as above

Special Populations

  • Pregnancy Rating: B
  • Lactation risk: Infant risk cannot be ruled out
  • Renal dosing: reduce dose if mild impairment, contraindicated if anuria or active renal disease
  • Hepatic dosing: contraindicated in active hepatitis

Contraindications

  • Allergy to class/drug
  • Anuria, active renal disease
  • Active hepatitis

Adverse Reactions

Serious

All listed here are relatively frequent complications

  • Hypotension
  • Thrombophlebitis
  • Fever
  • Nephrotoxicity
  • Hypersensitivity reaction

Common

  • Injection site pain
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Myalgia
  • Headache

Pharmacology

  • Half-life: 20-60min
  • Metabolism: Not metabolized
  • Excretion: Renal

Mechanism of Action

  • Divalent/trivalent metals (especially lead) replace calcium in EDTA forming stable, soluble complexes that are readily excreted

Comments

See Also

References