• Do not confuse with edetate disodium.

» Administer IM or IV; oral administration may increase absorption of lead.

» Patients with serum lead levels of 70 mcg/dL or more or those with lead encephalopathy should also be treated with dimercaprol (BAL). Administer these medications at separate sites.

• IM: IM is the preferred route for children and patients with lead encephalopathy. Lidocaine or procaine 1% should be added to minimize pain at injection site (1 mL procaine or lidocaine to 1 mL edetate calcium disodium ratio, for a final concentration of 0.5% procaine or lidocaine). Administer deep IM into well-developed muscle; massage well. Rotate sites.

• Continuous Infusion:

Diluent: Dilute in 250–500 mL D5W or 0.9% NaCl. Administer daily dose over 8–12 hr.

• Y-Site Compatibility:

» epinephrine

• Additive Incompatibility:

» D10W

» LR