DMSA, also called succimer, is a chelating agent used for treating poisoning from lead, mercury, arsenic, and other metals. It is one of the safest and most effective chelating agents available. It is on the World Health Organizations’ List of Essential Medicines and has been used in medicine since the 1950s. One of its more frequently used applications is in the treatment of lead exposure in children, and it is an integral part of Dr. Andrew Cutler’s protocol for chelation.

Metal toxicity can result from various sources and can only be treated with chelation therapy. DMSA is a chelator that is able to bind to metals in the body which can then be expelled through the urine. It will reduce levels of toxic metals like lead and arsenic but also essential metals like copper and zinc. Supplements are usually prescribed with DMSA to ensure levels of essential metals are not diminished along with toxic ones. DMSA capsules can be compounded in multiple strengths to meet each individual patient’s needs.

DMSA and the Cutler Protocol

One of the more popular chelation protocols that utilizes DMSA was developed by Dr. Andrew Cutler. For the Cutler protocol, a smaller dose of 12.5mg is started and then gradually moved up over “rounds” of treatment. Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) has a synergistic effect when used with DMSA. This potent antioxidant helps free up mercury trapped in the body so that it can be removed. DMSA is not able to cross the blood-brain barrier so it can not bind to metals that have built up in other parts of the body unless they are expelled. ALA is usually taken in the same dose as DMSA.