Dimercaprol
Dimercaprol
Dimercaprol (pronunciation: dye-mer-KAP-rol), also known as British Anti-Lewisite (BAL), is a compound that was developed during World War II as an antidote to the arsenic-based poison gas, Lewisite.
Etymology
The term "Dimercaprol" is derived from its chemical structure, which contains two (di-) mercaptan (-mercap-) groups and an alcohol (-ol) group. The alternative name, "British Anti-Lewisite", refers to its development by British scientists as a countermeasure against the Lewisite gas.
Usage
Dimercaprol is primarily used in medicine as a chelating agent, which means it binds to certain types of metals in the body and helps remove them. It is used to treat conditions caused by an excess of certain metals, such as arsenic, lead, and mercury, as well as in the treatment of Wilson's disease, a genetic disorder that causes copper to accumulate in the body.
Related Terms
- Chelation therapy: A medical procedure that involves the administration of chelating agents to remove heavy metals from the body.
- Lewisite: An arsenic-based poison gas that was developed during World War I.
- Wilson's disease: A rare inherited disorder that causes copper to accumulate in your liver, brain and other vital organs.
Side Effects
Like all medicines, Dimercaprol can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Some common side effects include fever, nausea, headache, and a burning sensation in the lips, mouth, and throat.
Precautions
Before using Dimercaprol, it is important to inform your doctor about your current list of medications, over the counter products, allergies, pre-existing diseases, and current health conditions.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Dimercaprol
- Wikipedia's article - Dimercaprol
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