D-penicillamine therapy of acute arsenic poisoning. 1977

R G Peterson, and B H Rumack

Severe poisoning resulting from single ingestions of rodenticides, herbicides, or insecticides containing arsenic have been frequently recognized. We record three cases of solubilized arsenic trioxide poisoning in Navajo Indian children and one case of sodium arsenate ingestion in an infant. One fatality occurred during dimercaprol therapy prior to initiation of therapy with D-penicillamine. Three survivors were treated with 2.3-dimercaprol intramuscularly and with oral D-penicillamine. The use of D-penicillamine in arsenic poisoning has not been generally appreciated. Excretion data from the three children are presented which document the effectiveness of D-penicillamine, administered orally in four daily doses of 25 mg/kg/dose, in the therapy of arsenic intoxication. Excretion data for the trace metals, zinc and copper, during D-penicillamine chelation therapy are also reported.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007223 Infant A child between 1 and 23 months of age. Infants
D008297 Male Males
D010396 Penicillamine 3-Mercapto-D-valine. The most characteristic degradation product of the penicillin antibiotics. It is used as an antirheumatic and as a chelating agent in Wilson's disease. Dimethylcysteine,Mercaptovaline,beta,beta-Dimethylcysteine,Copper Penicillaminate,Cuprenil,Cuprimine,D-3-Mercaptovaline,D-Penicillamine,Metalcaptase,D 3 Mercaptovaline,D Penicillamine,Penicillaminate, Copper,beta,beta Dimethylcysteine
D002675 Child, Preschool A child between the ages of 2 and 5. Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D004112 Dimercaprol An anti-gas warfare agent that is effective against Lewisite (dichloro(2-chlorovinyl)arsine) and formerly known as British Anti-Lewisite or BAL. It acts as a chelating agent and is used in the treatment of arsenic, gold, and other heavy metal poisoning. 2,3-Dimercaptopropanol,2,3-Dithiopropan-1-o1,B.A.L.,BAL in Oil,British Anti-Lewisite,British Anti-Lewisite Agent,Cadmium 2,3-Dimercaptopropanol,Dicaptol,2,3 Dimercaptopropanol,2,3 Dithiopropan 1 o1,2,3-Dimercaptopropanol, Cadmium,Anti-Lewisite Agent, British,Anti-Lewisite, British,British Anti Lewisite,British Anti Lewisite Agent,Cadmium 2,3 Dimercaptopropanol,Oil, BAL in,in Oil, BAL
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000208 Acute Disease Disease having a short and relatively severe course. Acute Diseases,Disease, Acute,Diseases, Acute
D020261 Arsenic Poisoning Disorders associated with acute or chronic exposure to compounds containing ARSENIC (ARSENICALS) which may be fatal. Acute oral ingestion is associated with gastrointestinal symptoms and an encephalopathy which may manifest as SEIZURES, mental status changes, and COMA. Chronic exposure is associated with mucosal irritation, desquamating rash, myalgias, peripheral neuropathy, and white transverse (Mees) lines in the fingernails. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1212) Arsenic Encephalopathy,Arsenic Induced Polyneuropathy,Arsenic Poisoning, Inorganic,Arsenic Poisoning, Nervous System,Arsenic Poisoning, Organic,Encephalopathy, Arsenic,Inorganic Arsenic Poisoning,Nervous System Poisoning, Arsenic,Nervous System, Organic Arsenic Poisoning,Neurotoxicity Syndrome, Arsenical,Organic Arsenic Poisoning, Nervous System,Poisoning, Arsenic, Nervous System,Polyneuropathy, Arsenic-Induced,Arsenic Encephalopathies,Arsenic Poisonings,Arsenic Poisonings, Inorganic,Arsenic Poisonings, Organic,Arsenic-Induced Polyneuropathies,Arsenic-Induced Polyneuropathy,Arsenical Neurotoxicity Syndrome,Arsenical Neurotoxicity Syndromes,Encephalopathies, Arsenic,Inorganic Arsenic Poisonings,Neurotoxicity Syndromes, Arsenical,Organic Arsenic Poisoning,Organic Arsenic Poisonings,Poisoning, Arsenic,Poisoning, Inorganic Arsenic,Poisoning, Organic Arsenic,Poisonings, Arsenic,Poisonings, Inorganic Arsenic,Poisonings, Organic Arsenic,Polyneuropathy, Arsenic Induced,Syndrome, Arsenical Neurotoxicity,Syndromes, Arsenical Neurotoxicity

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