Adverse effects in 5 patients receiving EDTA at an outpatient chelation clinic

Despite limited scientific evidence, Na2EDTA chelation therapy has been advocated for a variety of conditions including atherosclerosis. Five patients presented with symptoms that developed 30 min-2 h into chelation therapy at an outpatient clinic with infusions of sterile waterwith 3 g Na2EDTA, 2 g MgCl, 100 mg B12, 100 mg B6, 1 ml bit B complex and 15 g Vit C; 1 patient also received 10 ml of 50% DMSO iv. All patients experienced gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal symptoms. Additional effects were (4/5), excessive thirst (4/5), and diaphoresis (4/5). On presentation patients were hypotensive (5/5), tachycardic (4/5) and febrile (5/5). Therapy included iv. fluids (5/5), dopamine (1/5), and ivantibiotics (4/5). Initial data showed leukopenia (5/5), thrombocytopenia (3/5), bandemia (4/5), EKG abnormalities of unknown acuity (5/5), and transient, mild rise in serum creatinine (3/4). All patients were discharged without permanent sequelae. It is unclear if effects were related to dose or rate of administration.