TheraRadar
Data updated: May 26, 2026

CHEMET (succimer)

Lead Chelating Activity
Other Approved 1991-01-30

Chemet treats lead poisoning in children aged one year and older who have blood lead levels exceeding 45 mcg/dL. This medication is used to manage high lead levels but is not intended to prevent poisoning in environments where lead is present. Because the drug cannot cross the blood-brain barrier, it is not used to address brain-related complications like encephalopathy that can occur with lead toxicity.

Source: FDA Label • RECORDATI RARE • Lead Chelator

How CHEMET Works

This medication works by acting as a chelating agent that binds to lead within the body. Once bound, it forms water-soluble complexes that allow the lead to be filtered out and removed through the patient's urine.

1
Indication
--
Phase 3 Trials
1
Priority Reviews
35
Years on Market

Details

Status
Prescription
First Approved
1991-01-30
Routes
ORAL
Dosage Forms
CAPSULE

Companies

Active Ingredient: SUCCIMER

CHEMET Approval History

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Original
New Indication
New Form
Label Update
17 FDA actions from 1991 to 2024
Sep 2024 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Oct 2018 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Jul 2016 SUPPL Priority
Mfg · Manufacturing (CMC)

What CHEMET Treats

2 indications

CHEMET is approved for 2 conditions since its original approval in 1991. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

  • Lead Poisoning
  • Encephalopathy
Source: FDA Label

CHEMET Competitive Set

Pro

Three rings of competition based on shared molecular targets and treated indications.

Indication competitors

2

Same indication, different mechanism — what else might this patient receive?

Filters applied: drops same-active-ingredient (505(b)(2) reformulations), route-mismatch (topical vs systemic), and cross-therapeutic-area matches in same-indication rings.

Drugs Similar to CHEMET

FDA-approved drugs for similar conditions. Compare mechanisms and indications to understand treatment alternatives.

EDETATE CALCIUM DISODIUM
EDETATE CALCIUM DISODIUM
1 shared
CASPER PHARMA LLC
Shared indications:
Lead Poisoning
SODIUM PHENYLACETATE AND SODIUM BENZOATE
SODIUM BENZOATE
1 shared
MAIA PHARMS INC
Shared indications:
Encephalopathy
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Clinical Trial Registry

1 trials
Trial Sponsor ID Phase Status Title
NCT03630991 2017-0752 NCI-2018-01610, 2017-0752 Ph 1 recruiting Edetate Calcium Disodium or Succimer in Treating Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia or Myelodysplastic Syndrome Undergoing Chemotherapy
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Active Pipeline

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Ongoing clinical trials by development phase

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Key Completed Trials

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Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance

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Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

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Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

CHEMET FDA Label Details

Indications & Usage

FDA Label (PDF)

CHEMET is indicated for the treatment of Lead Poisoning; Encephalopathy.

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Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.