Dimercaprol (dye-mer-KAP-role)

Treats poisoning by arsenic, gold, and mercury. It may also be used to treat lead poisoning when given with other medicines.

Brand Name(s):

Bal In Oil

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using iron supplements or multivitamins containing iron before being given this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before being given this medicine.
• This medicine contains peanut oil. Tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to peanuts.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Decrease in the amount of urine produced, or a change in how often you urinate.
• Severe swelling or keeping water in the body.
• Unusually fast heartbeat.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Burning feeling in the lips, mouth, throat, or penis.
• Feeling nervous, restless, or unusually weak.
• Feeling tightness or pain in the throat, chest, or hands.
• Fever (in children).
• Headache, lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting.
• Irritated, itchy, or watery eyes, or twitching eyelids.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Pain, redness, and hardness at the area where the shots were given.
• Runny nose.
• Stomach pain.
• Sweaty forehead, hands, or body.