• Determine time and amount of ingestion of heavy metal (arsenic, lead) or time and amount of ingestion of gold.

• Assess patient for symptoms of toxicity from ingested substance.

• Monitor BP and pulse throughout therapy. Systolic BP may rise, and tachycardia may occur 15–30 min after administration. BP usually returns to normal within 2 hr.

• Monitor intake and output and notify physician if significant discrepancies occur or if urine output decreases. Alkalinization of urine may be used to prevent nephrotoxicity.

• Monitor temperature throughout therapy. May cause fever in children after 2nd or 3rd dose, which persists until discontinuation of therapy.

• May cause decreased values of ¹³¹I thyroid uptake if test is performed during or immediately following dimercaprol therapy.