Dimercaprol

General information

Dimercaprol or British Anti-Lewisite (BAL) was originally developed to counteract arsenic-containing war gases [ ]. It is now used for the treatment of poisoning with heavy metals, such as arsenic, gold, lead, or mercury, and is administered by intramuscular injection. Its adverse effects include nausea, vomiting, a burning sensation in the mouth, throat, eyes, and sometimes limbs, muscle pain and spasms, lacrimation, rhinorrhea, and hypersalivation. Of importance are a raised blood pressure and tachycardia. Pain in head, teeth, or abdomen can occur. The symptoms develop soon after injection and subside within about 2 hours. Injections can be painful and give rise to sterile abscesses. Fever can occur.