Chelation therapy is a method of purging the bloodstream of undesired particles by introducing chelating agents via intravenous injection or, less commonly, by oral ingestion. Chelating agents, the active ingredients used in chelation therapy, vary depending on the specific substances that administering physicians are attempting to purge. They work by binding, or chelating, with molecules of the targeted substance, which can then be more efficiently carried to the kidneys and expelled from the body via urination.
Calcium Disodium Versenate
Calcium disodium versenate, chemically known as edetate calcium disodium and commonly referred to as EDTA, is approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a chelating agent for lead poisoning. While it has not been specifically approved for the detoxification of other heavy metals, it may be effective for them as well; the University of Maryland Medical Center states that EDTA can chelate mercury, arsenic, aluminum, chromium, cobalt, manganese, nickel, selenium, zinc, tin and thallium.
Endrate
Endrate, a drug known by the chemical name edetate disodium, is also commonly referred to as EDTA--a circumstance that the FDA has acknowledged has led to hospital mix-ups in the administration of endrate and calcium disodium versenate. Endrate is FDA-approved for two distinct uses. It is a powerful chelator of calcium, and is sometimes used to reduce severely elevated levels of calcium caused by a condition called hypercalcemia. It is also used for emergency detoxification from overdoses of the drug digitalis, which is prescribed for the regulation of an irregular heartbeat and other cardiac conditions.
Ca-DTPA and Zn-DTPA
Ca-DTPA, or pentetate calcium trisodium, and Zn-DTPA, or pentetate zinc trisodium, are chelating agents approved by the FDA for the same use. They chelate with particles of plutonium, americium and curium, which are all radioactive and extremely toxic materials. Intoxication with these substances is rare and is usually a result of an accident in an industrial or laboratory setting where such radioactive materials are present. The FDA states that these chelating agents may also be effective for treating victims of "dirty bombs," which are conventional explosive devices that are intended to disperse radioactive particles.
Dimercaprol
Dimercaprol is a chelating agent approved by the FDA for the detoxification of arsenic, gold and mercury. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that it also can effectively chelate the radioactive metal polonium-210. The high toxicity of dimercaprol may cause side effects that can include high blood pressure, nausea, headaches and sterile abscesses at the injection site.
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