What is the proper dosage and administration schedule for DMSA and LA?
The dosage is less important than the administration schedule. If you remember nothing else about this FAQ, remember this: DMSA or LA must be given in small, frequent doses (every 3-4 hours, even at night) over several days to be effective. Infrequent dosage will just stir up the mercury and redistribute it in the body, making your child sicker. For DMSA or LA, start with 1/8 to mg. per pound of child. If giving LA by itself, give it every 3 hours. DMSA is given every 4 hours. DMSA + LA should be given every 3 hours. DMPS alone should be given every 8 hours. Chelation should be done in cycles of at 3 to 7 days on the chelator, followed by at least as many days off as a rest period. Many parents find it convenient to chelate on weekends, starting when the child gets home from school and stopping on Monday morning, with weekdays as rest days. With the schedule, sleep is only interrupted on weekends and parents don’t have to depend on school employees to give the medicine.
