Tag: Succimer

While the classic image of arsenic poisoning might seem outdated, cases still occur from contaminated water, industrial exposure, or alternative medicine sources. The medical antidote for arsenic is not a single drug, but a class of medications called chelating agents that work to remove the heavy metal from the body.

According to the CDC, children with blood lead levels of 45 µg/dL or higher should be considered for chelation therapy. Determining what is the best chelator for lead, however, is not a straightforward choice, as the optimal agent depends on the severity of poisoning and patient factors.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), even low levels of lead in a child's blood can negatively impact their health. For significant lead poisoning, the medical treatment is known as chelation therapy, which involves taking medications, including specific pills, to bind and remove the heavy metal from the body.