Dimercaprol Dosage

Generic name: dimercaprol
Brand name: BAL In Oil
Drug class: Antidotes

Medically reviewed by  A Ras MD.

Recommended Adult Dosing

Dosage forms:  INJ: 100 mg per mL

Arsenic or gold poisoning

[mild]

Dose: 2.5 mg/kg/dose IM q6h x8 doses, then q12h x2 doses, then q24h x10 doses; Info: ensure adequate alkaline urine output

[severe]

Dose: 3 mg/kg/dose IM q4h x12 doses, then q6h x4 doses, then q12h x20 doses; Info: ensure adequate alkaline urine output

Lead poisoning, severe

[3-4 mg/kg/dose IM q4h x3-7 days]

Start: 4 mg/kg/dose IM x1; Max: 5 mg/kg/dose; Info: for blood lead levels >70 mcg/dL or acute encephalopathy; start calcium EDTA infusion 4h after first BAL injection if adequate alkaline urine output; check lead level after 48h to determine if cont. chelation tx needed; may repeat course after >2 day interval w/o tx

Mercury poisoning

[2.5 mg/kg/dose IM qd-bid x10 days]

Start: 5 mg IM x1; Info: ensure adequate alkaline urine output

Renal dosing

[see below]

renal impairment: not defined, caution advised

HD/PD: not defined

Hepatic dosing

[see below]

hepatic impairment: contraindicated; Info: drug may be used in postarsenical jaundice

Recommended Peds Dosing

Dosage forms:  INJ: 100 mg per mL

Arsenic or gold poisoning, mild

[infants/children]

Dose: 2.5 mg/kg/dose IM q6h x8 doses, then q12h x2 doses, then q24h x10 doses; Info: ensure adequate alkaline urine output

Arsenic or gold poisoning, severe

[infants/children]

Dose: 3 mg/kg/dose IM q4h x12 doses, then q6h x4 doses, then q12h x20 doses; Info: ensure adequate alkaline urine output

Lead poisoning, severe

[infants/children]

Dose: 75 mg/m^2/dose IM q4h x3-7 days; Info: for blood lead levels >70 mcg/dL or acute encephalopathy; start calcium EDTA infusion 4h after first BAL injection if adequate alkaline urine output; check lead level after 48h to determine if cont. chelation tx needed; may repeat course after >2 day interval w/o tx

Mercury poisoning

[infants/children]

Dose: 2.5 mg/kg/dose IM qd-bid x10 days; Start: 5 mg/kg/dose IM x1; Info: ensure adequate alkaline urine output

Renal dosing

[see below]

renal impairment: contraindicated

HD/PD: not defined

Hepatic dosing

[see below]

hepatic impairment: contraindicated; Info: drug may be used in postarsenical jaundice