BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Lead poisoning is normally caused by repeated 
occupational inhalation of lead. However, lead may also be absorbed through the 
digestive route. Some alternative medical treatments, such as Ayurvedic 
medicine, can also contain lead and may result in poisoning.
PATIENTS AND METHOD: We collected cases of lead poisoning related to Ayurvedic 
treatments attended at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona.
RESULTS: Two female patients, aged 45 and 57 years, respectively, who initiated 
Ayurvedic treatments which involved the ingestion of various medicaments, were 
included. The first patient presented with anemia and abdominal pain. The lead 
level was 74μg/dL and free erythrocyte protoporphyrin was 163μg/dL. She was 
treated with intravenous calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid 
(CaNa2EDTA) and later with oral dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) with a good 
evolution. The second patient presented with abdominal pain and a Burton's line. 
The lead level was 52μg/dL and free erythrocyte protoporphyrin was 262μg/dL. She 
was treated with oral DMSA and evolved favorably. Lead concentrations in some of 
the tablets supplied to the patients reached 2,003 and 19,650μg/g of tablet.
CONCLUSIONS: Lead poisoning may result from treatments based on Ayurvedic 
medicine and may reach epidemic proportions. Health control of alternative 
medicines is necessary.