ACCIDENTAL INGESTION OF A ZINC AND COPPER-SULFATE PREPARATION

Case Report: An 86-year-old woman accidentally ingested a preparation containing zinc and copper sulfate. At ninety minutes after ingestion, the peak plasma concentration was 1979 mu g/dL for zinc and 209 mu g/ dL for copper, suggesting preferential absorption of zinc. The major c omplications were gastric and bronchial inflammation due to the corros ive properties of these compounds. Systemic manifestations also develo ped with cardiovascular failure and renal insufficiency, but the patie nt made a complete recovery. In addition to symptomatic treatment, che lation therapy with dimercaprol and D-penicillamine was given for 48 h . Conclusion: The available clinical and toxicokinetic data do not sup port the benefits of chelation in addition to supportive therapy.