Edetate calcium disodium
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From MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
Boxed warning
Edetate calcium disodium injection is capable of producing toxic effects which can be fatal. Lead encephalopathy is relatively rare in adults, but occurs more often in pediatric patients in whom it may be incipient and thus overlooked. The mortality rate in pediatric patients has been high. Patients with lead encephalopathy and cerebral edema may experience a lethal increase in intracranial pressure following intravenous infusion; the intramuscular route is preferred for these patients. In cases where the intravenous route is necessary, avoid rapid infusion. The dosage schedule should be followed and at no time should the recommended daily dose be exceeded.
Dosing in kidney impairment
CONTRAINDICATIONS Edetate calcium disodium should not be given during periods of anuria, nor to patients with active renal disease or hepatitis. WARNINGS See Boxed Warning.
Preparation and administration
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DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION When a source for the lead intoxication has been identified, the patient should be removed from the source, if possible. The recommended dose of edetate calcium disodium for asymptomatic adults and pediatric patients whose blood lead level is < 70 mcg/dL but > 20 mcg/dL (World Health Organization recommended upper allowable level) is 1,000 mg/m 2 /day whether given via intravenous infusion or intramuscularly (see Surface Area Nomogram).
Intravenous Administration Add the total daily dose of edetate calcium disodium (1,000 mg/m 2 /day) to 250 to 500 mL of 5% dextrose or 0.9% sodium chloride injection. The total daily dose should be infused over a period of 8 to 12 hours. Discard unused portion. Edetate calcium disodium injection is incompatible with 10% dextrose, 10% invert sugar in 0.9% sodium chloride, lactate Ringer's, Ringer's, one-sixth molar sodium lactate injections, and with injectable amphotericin B and hydralazine hydrochloride.
Intramuscular Administration The total daily dosage (1,000 mg/m 2 /day) should be divided into equal doses spaced 8 to 12 hours apart. Discard unused portion. Lidocaine or procaine should be added to the edetate calcium disodium injection to minimize pain at the injection site. The final lidocaine or procaine concentration of 5 mg/mL (0.5%) can be obtained as follows: 0.25 mL of 10% lidocaine solution per 5 mL concentrated edetate calcium disodium; 1 mL of 1% lidocaine or procaine solution per mL of concentrated edetate calcium disodium.
Edetate calcium disodium mobilization tests should not be performed in symptomatic patients and in patients with blood lead levels above 55 mcg/dL for whom appropriate therapy is indicated. Parenteral drugs should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. edta-nomogram.jpg
Drug interactions
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Drug Interactions There is no known drug interference with standard clinical laboratory tests. Steroids enhance the renal toxicity of edetate calcium disodium in animals. 7 Edetate calcium disodium interferes with the action of zinc insulin preparations by chelating the zinc. 7
Contraindications
Edetate calcium disodium should not be given during periods of anuria, nor to patients with active renal disease or hepatitis.
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
Pregnancy One reproduction study was performed in rats at doses up to 13 times the human dose and revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to edetate calcium disodium. 10 Another reproduction study performed in rats at doses up to about 25 to 40 times the human dose revealed evidence of fetal malformations due to edetate calcium disodium, which were prevented by simultaneous supplementation of dietary zinc. 11 There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.
Lactation
Nursing Mothers It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when edetate calcium disodium is administered to a nursing woman.
For breastfeeding, also see LactMed (National Library of Medicine), which summarizes milk levels and infant effects.
Supply and cost
Drug shortage status
Recalls (last 24 months)
Therapeutic equivalence (Orange Book)
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