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edetate calcium disodium

Generic
Used for Lead Poisoning
Used for Lead Poisoning

Edetate calcium disodium (or calcium EDTA) is an injection used to treat people in the hospital or clinic with lead poisoning. It's given as an injection into the veins or into the muscle. Side effects include pain at the injection site, headaches, and rash.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on July 12, 2023
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageContraindicationsAlternativesReferencesPricesMedicare
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What is Edetate calcium disodium?

What is Edetate calcium disodium used for?

How Edetate calcium disodium works

Edetate calcium disodium is a chelating agent, which means that it attaches to lead (a type of metal) to help remove it from the body.

Drug Facts

Common BrandsNo brand names available
Drug ClassChelating agent
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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What are the side effects of Edetate calcium disodium?

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

Other Side Effects

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle pain
  • Joint pain
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • High pressure in the brain: changes in vision, headache, nausea, vomiting
  • Kidney damage: more frequent urination, swelling in legs, fatigue

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

  • Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
  • Heart rhythm changes—fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, chest pain, trouble breathing
  • Increased pressure around the brain—severe headache, blurry vision, change in vision, nausea, vomiting
  • Kidney injury—decrease in the amount of urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
  • Red or dark brown urine

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Edetate calcium disodium

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Pros

An option to treat lead poisoning

Approved for use in both children and adults

Can be used in pregnancy if benefits outweigh the risks

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Cons

Needs to be given as an intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) injection

Must receive regular blood lead levels drawn during treatment to help see how well the medication is working

Can't be used to prevent lead poisoning

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Edetate calcium disodium

pharmacist

  • Your provider might give edetate calcium disodium to you as either an infusion through the veins or injection into the muscle. Both types of injections work just as well as each other in treating lead poisoning.

    • Contact your provider right away if you don't urinate for 12 hours. This is because edetate calcium disodium might build up in your body and cause side effects.

      • Make sure you understand what the sources of lead exposure were to help prevent future lead poisoning events. edetate calcium disodium. Contact your local department of public health for help and information about removing sources of lead.

        faqs

        Frequently asked questions about Edetate calcium disodium

        When is edetate calcium disodium used for treating lead poisoning?
        According to the clinical treatment guidelines for lead poisoning, edetate calcium disodium can be used by itself or together with another medication called dimercaprol. It's also considered in people who either can't take Chemet (succimer) by mouth, have severe symptoms (e.g., confusion), or have high blood lead levels. Your healthcare provider will decide if edetate calcium disodium is right for you.
        How long do I need to receive edetate calcium disodium for?
        It depends. The typical length of treatment is two courses of edetate calcium disodium each lasting for 5 days. The two courses are separated by a break of 2 to 4 days. This is done to help prevent edetate calcium disodium from lowering the levels of other essential chemicals in your body by too much. But your provider will decide how long you need to receive edetate calcium disodium for because it'll likely depend on several factors, like how well your symptoms are improving and if you're having side effects.
        Are there tests that I need to get while receiving edetate calcium disodium?
        Yes, because edetate calcium disodium can cause side effects that affect different parts of your body, your provider will order tests to check your health before and during treatment. Some tests you can expect include those that check your urine, electrolyte levels, and liver and kidney health. Ask your provider if you have any questions about these tests or what they're used to check for.
        Is edetate calcium disodium safe if I'm pregnant?
        There's limited research on the safety of edetate calcium disodium during pregnancy. A very small study found babies born to mothers who were treated for lead poisoning with metal chelators, including edetate calcium disodium, weren't harmed. Also, in animal studies, edetate calcium disodium didn't cause harm to unborn babies at higher than typical doses used in humans. But clinical practice guidelines recommend edetate calcium disodium as an option during pregnancy when it's clearly needed and the benefits outweigh the risks of using it. Discuss with your provider about the safety of this medication while pregnant.
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        What are the risks and warnings for Edetate calcium disodium?

        Edetate calcium disodium 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.

        risk-warning

        High pressure in the brain

        • Risk factors: Brain problems due to lead poisoning | Cerebral edema (brain swelling) | Infusing edetate calcium disodium IV too fast | High doses of edetate calcium disodium

          Some people receiving edetate calcium disodium had high pressure in the brain. This can lead to symptoms like changes in your vision, headache, nausea, and vomiting. People who have brain problems caused by lead poisoning or brain swelling are more at risk for experiencing this life-threatening condition. Let your provider know right away if you experience frequent headaches, blurry vision, and other changes in vision.

          risk-warning

          Kidney damage

          Although rare, edetate calcium disodium can damage your kidneys. Your provider will monitor your kidney health and might need to have you stop the medication if it's harming your kidneys. Let your provider know if you haven't urinated for at least 12 hours because this could be a sign that your kidneys aren't working properly. Also, tell your provider if you notice bloody or foamy urine, lower back pain, or fatigue, because these could be signs of damaged kidneys.

          dosage

          Edetate calcium disodium dosage forms

          Typical dosing for Edetate calcium disodium

          Edetate calcium disodium is given either as a slow infusion into the veins (intravenous or IV) or injection into the muscle (intramuscular or IM). Depending on your dose, you might receive the injection for multiple days.

          Your provider will calculate your dose based on your age, height, weight, kidney health, blood lead levels, your lead poisoning symptoms, and if you're having side effects from edetate calcium disodium.

          contraindications-icon

          Edetate calcium disodium contraindications

          Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Edetate calcium disodium will not be safe for you to take.

          • Active kidney problems

          • Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)

          • Not producing urine

          alternatives

          What are alternatives to Edetate calcium disodium?

          There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Edetate calcium disodium. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
          Edetate calcium disodium
          Used for:
          View Prices
          Chemet (succimer)
          Used for:

          • Treatment of lead poisoning in children 12 months of age or older with blood lead levels above 45 mcg/dL

          $115.73 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices

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          References

          Best studies we found

          Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (2014). Medical management guidelines for lead.

          Bradberry, S., et al. (2009). A comparison of sodium calcium edetate (edetate calcium disodium) and succimer (DMSA) in the treatment of inorganic lead poisoning. Clinical Toxicology. 

          Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Sources of lead exposure.

          View All References (8)

          Dawn, L, et al. (2023). Dimercaprol. StatPearls.

          Flora, S.J.S., et al. (2010). Chelation in metal intoxication. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

          George, T., et al. (2023). Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). StatPearls.

          MedlinePlus. (2023). Increased intracranial pressure.

          Rising Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2023). Edetate calcium disodium injection [package insert]. DailyMed.

          Shannon, M. (2003). Severe lead poisoning in pregnancy. Ambulatory Pediatrics.

          U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2010). Guidelines for the identification and management of lead exposure in pregnant and lactating women.

          World Health Organization. (2023). Lead poisoning.

          GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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