Disodium Edetate
Contraindicated
Database
Disodium EDTA causes severe hypocalcaemia
Do NOT confuse calcium-disodium edetate with disodium edetate
Source: Kimi deep-research + Cla
Drug reference
edetate calcium disodium
Heavy-metal chelator (calcium EDTA) · Heavy Metal Chelator Pediatric Lead Poisoning Antidote Adult Lead Poisoning Antidote Metal Chelation Therapy Acute Lead Poisoning Treatment Acute Metal Intoxication Treatment Acute Lead Intoxication T
START
Lead poisoning: 1–1.5 g/m² IV daily over 8–24 h × 5 days (combine with BAL if encephalopathy)
TYPICAL MAX
1.5 g/m²/day (severe poisoning)
STOP IF
AKI / oliguria, anaphylaxis, or severe hypocalcaemia
WATCH
Renal function daily, urine output, electrolytes; hydrate well
CDSCO approvedATC V03AB03
KDIGO 2024 + manufacturer label
- ONSET
- 30min · chelation
- PEAK
- 8h · end infusion
- t½
- 1h · t½
- DURATION
- 1d · daily dose
EXCRETION
Renal — essentially unchanged
route + CYP
INTERACTIONS
1 major
incl. contraindicated
PREGNANCY
Use in life-threatening lead poisoning when benefit outweighs risk.
FDA category + note
Top interactionssee all 6 →
- Disodium EdetateContraindicatedDatabaseKimi deep-research + Cla
Mechanism
Calcium disodium EDTA exchanges calcium for divalent / trivalent heavy metals (lead, zinc, chromium) forming stable water-soluble chelates excreted renally — selective for extracellular lead; pre-loaded with calcium to avoid hypocalcaemia.
Indications
Acute / chronic lead poisoning (with BAL if severe / encephalopathy)Zinc / heavy-metal poisoning (selected)
Dosing
- Adult
- Lead poisoning: 1–1.5 g/m² IV daily over 8–24 h (or 1 g IM with procaine TID × 5 days); pair with BAL if severe / encephalopathy.
- Pediatric
- 1000 mg/m²/day IV (less symptomatic) or 1500 mg/m²/day IV (more severe) — protocol-specific.
- Renal adjustment
- Reduce dose / extend interval in renal impairment; monitor function closely.
- Hepatic adjustment
- Caution in significant hepatic disease.
- Geriatric
- Higher renal/cardiac risk; monitor.
- Max dose
- Up to 1.5 g/m²/day (severe poisoning, monitored)
Pharmacokinetics
Onset
Chelation within hours
Peak effect
End of infusion (IV)
Duration
~24 h per dose
Half-life
~1 h (rapidly cleared)
Bioavailability
IV/IM (not oral — would absorb dietary metals)
Protein binding
Minimal
Metabolism
Not metabolised
Excretion
Renal (essentially unchanged)
Contraindications
- Anuria
- Severe acute hepatitis
- Hypersensitivity
Side effects
Common
Injection-site pain (IM)Fever / chillsHeadacheNauseaMild proteinuria
Serious
- Acute tubular necrosis / renal failure (boxed)
- Anaphylactoid reactions
- Hypocalcaemia (with disodium EDTA, NOT calcium EDTA — avoid confusion)
- Hypotension (rapid IV)
Pregnancy & lactation
Pregnancy
Use in life-threatening lead poisoning when benefit outweighs risk.
Lactation
Generally avoid; weigh benefit/risk.
Drug interactions
Chromium
Moderate
Textbook
Increases urinary excretion of chromium.
Reductants such as ascorbate, glutathione, or N-acetylcysteine, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), can be used to increase urinary excretion of chromium after high-dose exposure, particularly if given soon enough to prevent uptake into cells.
Source: G&G 14e · p1521
Dimercaprol
Moderate
Database
Synergistic chelation in severe lead poisoning (intended)
Use together for lead encephalopathy
Source: Kimi deep-research + Cla
Nephrotoxic Drugs
Moderate
Database
Additive renal injury
Avoid; monitor renal function
Source: Kimi deep-research + Cla
Zinc Supplements
Moderate
Database
Chelates zinc (intended in zinc toxicity; depletion in chronic use)
Monitor zinc levels
Source: Kimi deep-research + Cla
Insulin
Mild
Database
Theoretical zinc-insulin binding interaction
Routine glycaemic monitoring
Source: Kimi deep-research + Cla
Related guidelines
Ask House about edetate calcium disodium
Continue into a citation-backed clinical answer with the drug context already attached.
Sources: Goodman & Gilman 14e·Verified: 2026-05-20 · House clinical team·Cockpit curated: 2026-05-20