USE OF DICOBALT EDETATE IN PREGNANCY
Date of issue: October 2023, Version: 1.4
Dicobalt edetate is an antidote used in the treatment of severe cyanide poisoning. Dicobalt edetate is toxic in the absence of cyanide ions, therefore use is reserved for cases of confirmed severe poisoning.
There are no published data available to provide a risk assessment on the potential effects following exposure to dicobalt edetate in pregnancy. Where maternal toxicity occurs following cyanide poisoning, there is a potential for fetal toxicity. In cases of severe maternal systemic poisoning, it is important to treat the mother appropriately to reduce the risks of maternal and fetal toxicity.
If dicobalt edetate is required in the management of severe cyanide poisoning then treatment should not be withheld at any stage in pregnancy. Enhanced antenatal surveillance may be warranted and should be decided on a case-by case basis. Discussion with UKTIS is recommended in all cases of exposure to dicobalt edetate at any stage of pregnancy.
This is a summary of the full UKTIS monograph for health care professionals and should not be used in isolation. The full UKTIS monograph and access to any hyperlinked related documents is available to NHS health care professionals who are logged in.
If you have a patient with exposure to a drug or chemical and require assistance in making a patient-specific risk assessment, please telephone UKTIS on 0344 892 0909 to discuss the case with a teratology specialist.
If you would like to report a pregnancy to UKTIS please click here to download our pregnancy reporting form. Please encourage all women to complete an online reporting form.