Succimer (Systemic)

Brand Names : Chemet, dimercaptosuccinic acid, DMSA

Proper Use of This Medicine

Children who have too much lead in their bodies should be removed from the lead-containing environment (for example, home, school, or other areas where the child has been exposed to lead) until the lead has been removed from the environment. If this is not possible, the environment should be made as safe as possible for the child.

Your doctor may want to put your child in the hospital while he or she is receiving succimer. This will allow the doctor to check your child's condition while the lead can be removed from the child's environment.

When opening your bottle of succimer, you may notice an unpleasant odor. However, this is a normal odor for these capsules and does not affect how the medicine works.

If the capsules cannot be swallowed, the contents of the capsule may be sprinkled on food and eaten immediately. The contents may also be given on a spoon and followed by a fruit drink.

It is important to drink plenty of fluids while taking succimer .

Dosing - The dose of succimer will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label .

• For the oral dosage form (capsules):
  • For treatment of lead poisoning:
    • For adults and children 12 years of age or older - Dose is based on body weight. The usual dose is 10 milligrams (mg) of succimer per kilogram (kg) (4.5 mg per pound) of body weight every eight hours for five days.
    • For children 1 to 11 years of age - Dose is based on body weight. The usual dose is 10 mg of succimer per kg (4.5 mg per pound) of body weight every eight hours for five days. The same dose is then given every twelve hours for the next fourteen days, for a total of nineteen days of therapy.
    • For children up to 1 year of age - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Keep the medicine from freezing. Do not refrigerate.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.