Background

Chelation therapy products, including EDTA, are agents that bind to heavy metals in the body, allowing them to pass through the body faster.

Chelation therapy products are available via prescription. Prescription products are approved for conditions such as heavy metal toxicity and very high calcium levels. Some companies also sell chelation therapy products as supplements. DMSA (2,3-Dimercaptosuccinic Acid), DMPS (2,3-Dimercaptopropane-1-Sulfonate), and EDTA (ethylenediamene tetraacetic acid) are the chemicals most often sold this way.

People use non-prescription chelation therapy products for Alzheimer disease, arsenic poisoning, autism, ADHD, Parkinson disease, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Non-prescription chelation therapy products might also be unsafe.

The FDA warns consumers to be wary of non-prescription chelation therapy products marketed for the treatment or prevention of any disease. These products have not been approved or reviewed by the FDA and can cause serious adverse effects. Discuss the use of prescription chelation therapy products with a healthcare provider.

Safety Safety definitions

When taken by mouth: Unapproved, non-prescription chelation therapy products are possibly unsafe. Using prescription chelation therapy products for unapproved uses is also possibly unsafe. These products can cause severe side effects, including dehydration, kidney failure, and death.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Unapproved, non-prescription chelation therapy products are possibly unsafe when used during pregnancy or while breast-feeding. Using prescription chelation therapy products for unapproved uses is also possibly unsafe. These products can cause severe side effects, including dehydration, kidney failure, and death. Avoid use.

Children: Unapproved, non-prescription chelation therapy products are possibly unsafe for use in children. Using prescription chelation therapy products for unapproved uses is also possibly unsafe. These products can cause severe side effects, including dehydration, kidney failure, and death. Avoid use.

Diabetes: Chelation therapy products might make blood sugar control worse in people with diabetes.

Low calcium levels: Chelation therapy products might reduce calcium levels, making calcium levels even lower in people who already have low calcium.

Low potassium levels: Chelation therapy products might reduce potassium levels, making potassium levels even lower in people who already have low potassium.

Low magnesium levels: Chelation therapy products might reduce magnesium levels, making magnesium levels even lower in people who already have low magnesium.

Kidney disease: Chelation therapy products might make existing kidney disease worse.

Liver disease: Chelation therapy products might make existing liver disease worse.

Seizure disorders: TChelation therapy products might increase the risk for seizures in people with epilepsy or other seizure disorders.

Effectiveness

Dosing & administration

There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of non-prescription chelation therapy products might be. They might also be unsafe. The FDA warns consumers to be wary of non-prescription chelation therapy products. They have not been approved or reviewed by the FDA. DMSA (2,3-Dimercaptosuccinic Acid), DMPS (2,3-Dimercaptopropane-1-Sulfonate), and EDTA (ethylenediamene tetraacetic acid) are the most common products sold this way.

Some chelation therapy products are available via prescription. Discuss the use of these products with a healthcare provider.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

Insulin

Interaction Rating=Major Do not take this combination.

Chelation therapy products such as EDTA can decrease blood sugar. Insulin is also used to decrease blood sugar. Taking chelation therapy products along with insulin can cause serious decreases in blood sugar. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your insulin might need to be changed.

Warfarin (Coumadin)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Warfarin is used to slow blood clotting. Chelation therapy products such as EDTA might decrease the effects of warfarin. This might increase the risk of clotting. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin might need to be changed.

Water pills (Diuretic drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Chelation therapy products such as EDTA might reduce potassium levels. "Water pills" can also decrease potassium levels. Taking chelation therapy products along with "water pills" might make potassium levels drop too low.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

Magnesium: Chelation therapy products such as EDTA can bind to magnesium and increase the amount of magnesium that is flushed out in the urine.
Potassium: Chelation therapy products such as EDTA can bind to potassium and increase the amount of potassium that is flushed out in the urine.
Trace minerals: Chelation therapy products such as EDTA can bind to trace minerals and increase the amount of trace minerals that are flushed out in the urine. Some trace minerals include boron, chromium, cobalt, copper, fluorine, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, sulfur, and zinc.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.