Chemet
Chemet (succimer) is a medication taken by mouth to treat lead poisoning in children. The total treatment course lasts for a little less than 3 weeks. This medication works well, but it can't be used to prevent lead poisoning. It's also not meant to be used in place of avoiding lead exposure, so it's important to talk with your local public health department to find and remove sources of lead poisoning. This medication is brand name only, so it can be expensive.
What is Chemet (succimer)?
What is Chemet (succimer) used for?
- Treatment of lead poisoning in children 12 months of age or older with blood lead levels above 45 mcg/dL
How Chemet (succimer) works
Chemet (succimer) is a heavy metal chelating agent used for lead poisoning. Chemet (succimer) works by reacting and binding to the lead in your body to help force it out through your urine.
Drug facts
Side effects of Chemet (succimer)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Digestive problems (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, appetite loss, hemorrhoids, loose stools, metallic taste) (12-21%)
- Body pain, chills, fever (5-16%)
- Rise in liver and cholesterol levels (4-10%)
- Dizziness and drowsiness (1-13%)
- Skin rash (3-11%)
- Ear and eye problems (1-4%)
- Throat and nose problems (1-4%)
- Problems urinating (up to 4%)
- Kneecap and leg pain (up to 3%)
- Abnormal heart rate (up to 2%)
- Changes in blood counts (1-2%)
The following Chemet (succimer) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Succimer may cause your urine, sweat, and feces to have an unpleasant odor.
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Chemet (succimer)
Pros
- Can be taken with or without food
- Dose is adjustable based on body weight and condition
- Capsules can be opened and taken with soft food
Cons
- Can't be used to prevent lead poisoning
- Have to get blood tests regularly during treatment
- Full treatment takes almost 3 weeks
- Only available as a brand name medication, so it can be expensive
Pharmacist tips for Chemet (succimer)
- It's important to find and get rid of the source of lead exposure, even if your child is being treated with Chemet (succimer). This medication won't be very helpful if your child continues to be exposed to lead. Contact your local department of public health for help and information about removing sources of lead.
- It's important that your child drinks enough fluids and stay hydrated while taking Chemet (succimer). This will help make sure that the lead gets flushed out through urine.
- Chemet (succimer) can cause liver problems. Your provider will likely ask you to take your child for weekly labs to check their liver during treatment, so please plan for these appointments.
- Let your provider know right away if your child develops a rash. While rash can be a side effect of Chemet (succimer), it can also be a sign of an infection. This medication can lower white blood cell counts, which makes it harder for your child to fight off an infection.
- Chemet (succimer) can cause false results for certain blood and urine tests. Before any tests, talk with your child's provider to see if Chemet (succimer) can interfere with (change) the results.
- Pregnant mothers should talk with their provider before starting Chemet (succimer). It's possible that this medication can cause harm to the baby.
- Don't breastfeed while taking Chemet (succimer). While it's not known whether this medication can get into breastmilk, heavy metals can get into breastmilk. So don't breastfeed if your blood lead level is high because lead can get passed on to your infant and cause harm.
- Store Chemet (succimer) at room temperature, which is between 15 and 25 degrees Celcius (59 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit).
Common questions about Chemet (succimer)
If your child is unable to swallow capsules, you can give Chemet (succimer) with small amounts of food. You can open the Chemet (succimer) capsule and sprinkle the beads on a small amount of soft food like applesauce, or you can put them on a spoon for your child to take followed by a fruit drink.
A full treatment with Chemet (succimer) typically lasts 19 days. Depending on your child's blood lead levels, the provider might have your child repeat the treatment course a couple of weeks after.
Chemet (succimer) isn't known to interact with other medications, but let your provider know your child's full medication history before starting this medication. Chemet (succimer) can't be taken with other chelating medications that also bind to metals.
Speak with your child's provider to get the proper treatment plan for your child. Chemet (succimer) can be used if it's been at least 4 weeks since your child has taken a chelating medication called CaNa~2~EDTA (edetate calcium disodium). It's not recommended to use both Chemet (succimer) and CaNa~2~EDTA together, but your child's treatment plan will depend on their condition.
Chemet (succimer) won't have a big impact on the levels of iron, calcium, or magnesium in your body. This medication can cause you to lose double the amount of zinc through your urine compared to regular levels, but the effect is very small. Speak to your provider if you are concerned about your mineral levels or if you need to take supplements during your treatment.
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Risks and warnings for Chemet (succimer)
Chemet (succimer) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Low white blood cells
Chemet (succimer) might lower the levels of white blood cells, which are responsible for immune system function. Your provider will have your child get a blood test before starting Chemet (succimer) and weekly during their treatment. If the levels are too low, your provider might have your child stop the medication temporarily, or switch to a different treatment. Let the provider know right away if there are any signs of infections, such as fever, chills, confusion, pain, or swelling.
Rebound blood lead levels
The blood lead levels and symptoms of lead poisoning might return after stopping Chemet (succimer). This is due to the low levels of lead after treatment, so the lead from the bones gets transferred out to the blood to balance out the levels. Your provider might have your child get a blood test once a week after treatment until levels are stable.
Chemet (succimer) dosage
Capsule| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100mg | 43 capsules | $944.32 | $21.96 |
Typical dosage for Chemet (succimer)
Dosing for Chemet (succimer) will depend on your child's weight or body surface area.
The typical starting dose is 10 mg/kg or 350 mg/m2 by mouth 3 times a day for 5 days. Then, your child will take 10 mg/kg or 350 mg/m2 by mouth 2 times a day for 14 days.
Your provider will continue to check your child's blood lead levels after the treatment is over to see if another course of treatment is needed.
Interactions between Chemet (succimer) and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
How much does Chemet (succimer) cost?
$944.32
Chemet (succimer) images
