Treatment of Lead-Exposed Children Trial

Succimer (2,3-meso-dimercaptosuccinic acid) is an orally active dithiol compound that is a relatively specific chelating agent for heavy metals, especially lead, arsenic and mercury. The drug undergoes limited absorption in the gastrointestinal tract and then is rapidly metabolized to mixed disulfides which are eliminated in the urine. Blood levels decline slowly with an apparent elimination half-life of about 48 hours in adults.