Chemet

succimer

Chemet

Indications

Action

Pharmacokinetics

Time/action profile (urinary lead excretion)

Contraindications/Precautions

Adverse Reactions/Side Effects

Central nervous system

• dizziness
• drowsiness
• headache

Ear, Eye, Nose, Throat

• cloudy film in eye
• otitis media
• plugged ears
• watery eyes

Respiratory

• cough
• nasal congestion
• rhinorrhea
• sore throat

Cardiovascular

• arrhythmias

Gastrointestinal

• nausea (most frequent)
• vomiting (most frequent)
• abdominal cramps
• anorexia
• diarrhea
• elevated liver function tests
• hemorrhoidal symptoms
• metallic taste

Genitourinary

• oliguria
• proteinuria
• voiding difficulty

Dermatologic

• mucocutaneous eruptions
• pruritus
• rashes

Hematologic

• eosinophilia
• thrombocytosis

Musculoskeletal

• back, rib, flank pain
• leg pain

Neurologic

• paresthesia
• sensorimotor neuropathy

Miscellaneous

• chills
• fever
• flu-like syndrome
• moniliasis

Interactions

Drug-Drug interaction

Route/Dosage

Availability

Nursing implications

Nursing assessment

• Assess patient and family members for evidence of lead poisoning prior to and frequently throughout therapy. Acute lead poisoning is characterized by a metallic taste, colicky abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, oliguria, and coma. Symptoms of chronic poisoning vary with severity and include anorexia, a blue-black line along the gums, intermittent vomiting, paresthesia, encephalopathy, seizures, and coma.
• Monitor strict intake and output and daily weight. Notify physician or other health care professional of any discrepancies. Patients undergoing succimer therapy should be adequately hydrated.
• Monitor neurologic status closely (level of consciousness, pupil response, movement). Notify physician or other health care professional immediately of any changes.
• Monitor patient for signs of allergic or other mucocutaneous reactions, especially during repeated courses of succimer therapy.
• Lab Test Considerations: Monitor blood and urine lead levels prior to and periodically throughout therapy. After therapy, monitor patients for rebound of blood levels at least once weekly until stable. Succimer is indicated for treatment of blood lead levels of >45 mcg/dL.
  • May cause elevated serum transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, and cholesterol; monitor prior to and at least weekly during therapy.
  • May interfere with serum and urine lab tests.

Potential Nursing Diagnoses

Implementation

• Coadministration of succimer with other chelation agents is not recommended. Patients who have received ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) or dimercaprol (British anti-lewisite [BAL]) may receive subsequent therapy with succimer after 4 wk.
  • Course of treatment lasts 19 days. Doses are administered every 8 hr for 5 days and then every 12 hr for 14 days. Unless blood levels indicate prompt treatment is needed, a minimum of 2 wk between courses is recommended.
• Oral: If patient is unable to swallow the capsule, open capsule and sprinkle medicated beads on a small amount of soft food or place in a spoon and follow with a fruit drink.

Patient/Family Teaching

• Discuss need for follow-up appointments to monitor lead levels. Additional treatments may be necessary.
• Instruct patient to drink adequate fluids throughout therapy.
• Advise patient to notify health care professional if rash occurs.
• Consult public health department regarding potential sources of lead poisoning in the home, workplace, and recreational areas. Chelation therapy cannot be used as prophylaxis for lead poisoning.

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes

• Decrease in symptoms of lead poisoning.
  • Decrease in blood lead levels to below 45 mcg/dL, although the normal upper limit is 29 mcg/dL.