Sodium calcium edetate (sodium calcium EDTA), also known as edetate calcium disodium among other names, is a medication primarily used to treat lead poisoning,[2] including both short-term and long-term lead poisoning.[3] Sodium calcium edetate came into medical use in the United States in 1953.[3]
Sodium calcium edetate is in the chelating agent family of medication.[3] It is a salt of edetate with two sodium and one calcium atoms.[4]It works by binding to a number of heavy metals, which renders them almost inert and allows them to leave the body in the urine.[3]
Edetate disodium (Endrate) is a different formulation which does not have the same effects.[3]
Sodium calcium edetate's primary use is to treat lead poisoning,[2]for which it is an alternative to succimer.[3]It is given by slow injection into a vein or into a muscle.[2]
For lead encephalopathy sodium calcium edetate is typically used together with dimercaprol.[3]It may also be used to treat plutonium poisoning.[5]It does not appear to be useful for poisoning by tetra-ethyl lead.[3]
Common side effects include pain at the site of injection.[3] Other side effects may include kidney problems, diarrhea, fever, muscle pains, and low blood pressure.[2] Benefits when needed in pregnancy are likely greater than the risks.[3]
Sodium calcium edetate came into medical use in the United States in 1953.[3] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[6]
