Overview of Dimaval
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Active ingredient | 2,3-dimercaptopropanesulfonic acid (DMPS) |
| Form | Hard capsule, Solution for injection |
| Pharmacological class | Chelating agent, Heavy metal antagonist |
| General purpose | Antidote for systemic metal toxicity |
| Origin | Synthetic |
Dimaval: A Specialized Synthetic Antidote and Chelating Agent
Dimaval is a specialized, prescription-only synthetic medicine whose primary therapeutic role is to serve as an antidote in cases of systemic metal toxicity. The drug is classified as a chelating agent and heavy metal antagonist, a specific pharmacological class designed to chemically bind to toxic metal ions in the body. Its active ingredient is 2,3-dimercaptopropanesulfonic acid, consistently abbreviated as DMPS and sometimes referred to by the synonym Unithiol, confirming it as a single-component product. DMPS is clinically recognized for its use in managing toxicity, particularly due to metals like mercury and lead.
Composition and Available Forms of DMPS
The medicine utilizes the DMPS sodium salt as its active component, which is supplied by the German pharmaceutical company Heyl Chem.-pharm. Fabrik GmbH & Co. KG. It is provided in two distinct dosage forms to accommodate varying clinical needs and patient status. These preparations include a solid oral hard capsule and a liquid solution for injection (ampoule) for parenteral delivery. Unlike the first-generation chelator Dimercaprol, DMPS is characterized by being water-soluble and is effective when administered orally.
The General Principle: Trapping and Facilitated Removal
The general purpose of Dimaval is to actively support the body in clearing harmful, cumulative metallic substances, thereby reducing the systemic body burden of toxicity. This is accomplished chemically because the DMPS molecule is a vicinal dithiol, meaning it possesses two closely positioned sulfur groups that enable it to highly selectively form stable complexes with toxic metals, such as mercury and lead. This binding action neutralizes the metallic element's toxicity. Once trapped into a stable compound, the complex's water-solubility promotes its facilitated excretion from the body, with most of the agent eliminated via the kidneys in urine.
Regulatory References



