DMSA

Medical abbreviation · Drug

DMSA
Stands forDimercaptosuccinic acid (succimer)
CategoriesMedical

DMSA stands for Dimercaptosuccinic acid (succimer), a drug abbreviation.

Oral chelating agent, sold as Chemet, used mainly to treat lead poisoning in children with blood lead levels of 45 mcg/dL or higher. It binds lead so it can be excreted in the urine.

Example: DMSA 10 mg/kg PO q8h x 5 days, then q12h x 14 days; blood lead at end.

Usage notes

Removing the child from the lead source is essential, since chelation does not undo lost cognitive function. Succimer has a strong sulfur smell. In nuclear medicine, a technetium-labeled DMSA scan images kidney scarring, an unrelated use of the same chemical.

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Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.