A comparison of two dosing regimens of succimer in children with chronic lead poisoning

There is limited information defining the optimal dosing regimen of succime r in the treatment of children with chronic lead poisoning. It is typically administered as a five day course of high dose therapy (1050 mg/m(2)/day) followed by 14 days of low dose therapy (700mg/m(2)/day). This study compar ed the effect on blood lead concentrations (BPb) of treatment with this sta ndard regimen and an alternate regimen consisting of two courses of high do se therapy separated by one week There were significant reductions in the m ean BPb in bath the standard (n=7) and alternate (n=4) treatment groups but there was not a significant difference between the groups. in the standard group, the BPb decreased from 33+/-4 to 27+/-6 mcg/dL. The BPb decreased f rom 33+/-6 to 23+/-4 mcg/dL in those treated with alternate therapy. This s tudy suggests that two short courses of high dose therapy may be an accepta ble alternative to standard succimer therapy. Because of the small size of this study, other studies are warranted. (C) 1999 the American College of C linical Pharmacology.