EDTA In The News

For years, EDTA held a clean record regarding safety but in the past few years, there have been rumors concerning the safety of EDTA. Unfortunately these rumors are true.   Due to some poorly trained doctors, hospitals and pharmacies, the wrong medication was incorrectly administered to patients and they were injured or died.  EDTA has two forms with administration protocols that are very different.  The FDA has issued a public health advisory regarding this very serious recurring prescription drug error.  An article was posted by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2006 which documented the Edetate Disodium being used instead of Edetate Calcium Disodium.  Prior to these fairly resent events, the safety of EDTA when properly administered was unopposed.  We submit that if  the doctors who caused these disasterous errors were trained by the ACAM (the Academy for Advancement of Medicine), they would be well trained and injuries would not have occurred tarnishing a record that previously enjoyed a long record of safety.  

EDTA is often used for “off label” purposes for reduction of heavy metal burden which is believed to cause free radical activity.  In alternative medicine, this activity is believed to cause injury to the cardiovascular system and contributes to arteriosclerosis.  While it cannot be claimed that EDTA improves arteriosclerosis, it is believed to increase peripheral circulation thereby improving the condition.

Edetate  Calcium Disodium is approved to treat severe lead poisoning by the FDA.  The FDA is not considering removing it from the market since it is a medically necessary drug with very few other options available to treat lead toxicity.  It can safely be administered rapidly by an IV push.  Patients with a serum level over 55 mcg/dl and symptomatic should not be given mobilization test.  See position paper reference below.

The cause of patient injury comes from an administration error regarding Edetate Disodium.  This product is mixed in an IV along with magnesium and administered over a three to four hour period.  When administered too rapidly, it lowers the calcium level reducing contractions of the heart. 

Everything about this situation is unfortunate.  Proper training is essential in eliminating these errors.  Products, if stored in the same facility should be marked and stored in separate areas. 

Legal Status of EDTA Chelation Therapy  -  See www.acam.org   for position paper from American College for Advancement in Medicine on EDTA Chelation Therapy (16 pages)

Included in the paper are the following:

Introduction-’ACAM was founded in 1973 as a non-profit corporation comprised of approximately 750 licensed physicians many who were interested in and used innovative therapies for ocular vascular disease, degenerative disease and cardiovascular disease.’

Therapeutic History of Chelation Therapy- ‘In simplest of terms EDTA is a man-made amino acid widely recognized as effective for emergency use for hypercalcimia, control of ventricular arrhythmias associated with digitalis toxicity.  Due to research at the National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council in the late 1960’s EDTA was indicated for possible consideration in the treatment of occlusive vascular disorders caused by arteriosclerosis….’  Many studies published and referred to in article.

Physician Use of Innovative Therapies- discussion regarding the use of EDTA and addressing concerns thereof and the rights and ethical duty of doctors with the highest regard to public safety.

 Restriction to FDA package Insert Guidelines in Inappropriate-  regarding off label use of EDTA

 Constitutional Considerations in Restricting Choice in Medical Treatment- evolution of patient participation in decision making regarding treatment

 First Amendment Protection of Commercial Speech-  entitlement to First Amendment protection

 Conclusion-Under common law, the state may not deny any individual the right to medical care and access.

DMPS Detoxification for Heavy Metal Burden

The major focus of detoxification for most people involves the liver and digestive system but astute patients look further to what is known as metabolic detoxification and chelation to reduce toxins in the organs, soft tissue, nerve and muscle tissue.  One such chelator is DMPS.

 What is DMPS?  It is a chelator named Dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid that binds to specific metals such as mercury, lead and arsenic and forms stable complexes allowing them to be eliminated by the body.  It may be administered by prescription only.  It is used world wide for mercury poisoning by doctors and hospitals.  Additionally, a group of doctors who practice alternative medicine administer the substance to reduce heavy metal burden in patients who suffer from chronic illness.  It may be taken by IV or oral forms, however oral forms are usually reserved for children.  More recently the transdermal form was introduced.  DMPS does not strip minerals from the body but weakly bonds to zinc and copper.  It may also reduce vitamin B-6. There are no known interactions between DMPS and any pharmaceutical, vitamin, mineral or herbal formulations.  It is advised not to take minerals within two hours of oral administration.

 DMPS is created through a series of complex chemical reactions which has very low toxicity systemically and is generally well tolerated with long term use.  One should not use the chelator if pregnant or if intention is to get pregnant. 

 Symptoms may include mild itching, nausea, dizziness, fever, weakness, hives, mucous membrane reactions, or shivering.  In the case of inflammation of the mucous membranes, one should immediately discontinue the use of DMPS. 

 Patients who suffer chronic illness often turn to doctors who treat heavy metal burden in an effort to reduce symptoms.  Typically there is an event or history of exposure that makes this a candidate for consideration.  The duration of treatment typically is ten IVs once or twice per week for a total of 10 treatments and then levels are retested to monitor progress.  The ability to detoxify efficiently has a great deal to do with liver function and the ability to package up toxins in the pathway of Phase I detoxification.  Substances known as xenobiotics and metals can impair this pathway, making it extremely difficult to make progress. DMPS is mainly detoxified through the kidney, at approximately 90%.  The remainder is eliminated through the bile and GI tract.   If a patient has a history of poor nutrition, some of the circulating metals may be reabsorbed through the intestinal wall.   The longest reported continuous use of DMPS was four and one half years in some literature.  In some clinics oral chelation is reserved for children.

There has been a great deal of misinformation about DMPS and safety.   One should visit the official FDA website for proper information on its status at http://www.fda.gov

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