WARNINGS
There may be local pain at the site of the injection. A reaction apparently peculiar to children is fever which may persist during therapy. It occurs in approximately 30% of children. A transient reduction of the percentage of polymorphonuclear leukocytes may also be observed.
PRECAUTIONS
Because the dimercaprol-metal complex breaks down easily in an acid medium, production of an alkaline urine affords protection to the kidney during therapy. Medicinal iron should not be administered to patients under therapy with BAL in Oil (Dimercaprol Injection USP).
BAL in Oil Ampules (dimercarprol injection) is formulated with peanut oil. Peanut oil may cause allergic reactions in some individuals. Physicians should use caution in prescribing BAL in Oil Ampules (dimercarprol injection) for peanut-sensitive patients. Medication and equipment necessary to treat allergic reactions should be available if the product is administered to peanut-allergic patients.
Pregnancy Category C
Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with BAL in Oil. It is also not known whether BAL in Oil can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman, or can affect reproduction capacity. BAL in Oil should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.
It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. However, because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when BAL in Oil is administered to a nursing woman.