TRYPARSAMIDE OPTIC NEURITIS TREATED BY 2,3 DIMERCAPTOPROPANOL (BAL)

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TRYPARSAMIDE OPTIC NEURITIS TREATED BY 2,3 DIMERCAPTOPROPANOL (BAL)

SIDNEY FRIEDENBERG, M.D.

J Am Med Assoc. 1947;135(16):1072.

2,3 Dimercaptopropanol (BAL, British Anti-ite) is now recognized as a

specific drug in the treatment of arsenical or mercury poisoning. Many reports

in the past two years have attested its value in the treatment of exfoliative

dermatitis, blood dyscrasias and " hemorrhagic encephalitis " following the use of

the trivalent arsenicals in the treatment of syphilis. 1

The pharmacologic rationale for the use of BAL in arsenical or mercury poisoning

is based on the theory that such toxic metals are toxic because they block the

functioning of physiologically essential chain groups within the cell by

combining with them.

(note: there are better chelators available currently than this one, though it

is still avialable)