Background

Chelation therapy is generally used for various toxicities. Chelation occurs when a compound or protein attaches to a toxic element and renders it less toxic and easier to eliminate. An agent used for chelation therapy is 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonate (DMPS).

DMPS chelation therapy is available in both oral and parenteral forms in Europe. However, in the United States, DMPS is only approved as a bulk chemical.

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Safety Safety definitions

Pregnancy And Lactation: There is insufficient reliable evidence about the safety of DMPS chelation in pregnancy and lactation. Avoid use.

Effectiveness Effectiveness definitions

INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE TO RATE

Autism. Preliminary clinical research suggests that dietary changes with DMPS chelation therapy may help improve behavioral, clinical, and biochemical symptoms in patients with autism.

Poisoning. Some clinical research suggests that DMPS chelation may help improve symptoms and work as an antidote for arsenic, bismuth, lead, and mercury poisoning. More evidence is needed to rate DMPS chelation therapy for these uses.

Natural Medicines rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.

Dosing & administration

Adverse effects

General: DMPS chelation therapy has been reported to cause certain severe side effects and allergic reactions.

Dermatologic: There is a case report of Stevens-Johnson syndrome after two weeks of oral DMPS chelation therapy. Symptoms included a widespread eruption of red, itchy macules, gradually improved after discontinuation of DMPS chelation therapy.

Endocrine: DMPS chelation therapy has been associated with changes in blood sugar.

Genitourinary: DMPS chelation therapy has been associated with kidney damage and hypocalcemia.

Hematologic: DMPS chelation therapy has been associated with changes in blood coagulation.

Cardiovascular: DMPS chelation therapy has been associated with hypotension and irregular heartbeat.

Neurologic/CNS: DMPS chelation therapy has been associated with convulsions.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

None known.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

None known.

Interactions with foods

None known.

Interactions with lab tests

Interactions with diseases

CARDIAC DISEASE: DMPS chelation therapy has been associated with irregular heartbeat and changes in blood coagulation. Avoid in patients with cardiac diseases.

HYPOCALCEMIA: DMPS chelation therapy can decrease serum calcium levels. DMPS chelation therapy may exacerbate hypocalcemia in patients with existing low calcium levels; avoid using.

HYPOTENSION: DMPS chelation therapy can decrease blood pressure; avoid in patients with hypotension.

RENAL DYSFUNCTION: DMPS chelation therapy might exacerbate existing renal disease. Avoid using in patients with severe renal disease and renal failure.

Mechanism of action

Chelation therapy with 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonate (DMPS) has been used to treat acute and chronic heavy metal poisoning. It is thought to work by forming an insoluble complex with the toxic metal and then allowing for easier elimination.

Heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury theoretically induce toxic effects in humans due to an imbalance between pro-oxidant and antioxidant homeostasis. Long-term exposure to heavy metals affects normal cellular defense mechanisms and eventually causes apoptosis (cell death). Heavy metals, such as lead and arsenic, interfere with the normal functioning of the central nervous system, hematopoietic system, liver, and kidneys. Chelation is thought to prevent this process and heavy metal toxicity by eliminating the toxin.