Succimer is an analogue of dimercaprol, and has replaced dimercaprol as one of the main antidotes used in the management of poisoning by lead and other heavy metals. The advantages of succimer are that it is effective by oral administration because it is soluble in water, it is well-tolerated, has relatively low toxicity and can be given at the same time as iron supplements to treat iron deficiency anaemia. It does not cause significant increase in urinary excretion of essential minerals unlike the other widelyused lead chelating agent, sodium calcium EDTA.