Skip to content News Health & Medicine A drug for heavy metal poisoning may double as a snakebite treatment The drug can block proteins that are found in the venom of many vipers around the world Researchers are investigating whether a drug used for heavy metal poisoning might prevent harm to people from the venom of the puff adder, shown here, and other vipers. The snakes’ venom contains proteins that need zinc to do their damaging work. Michele D'Amico supersky77/Getty Images By Aimee Cunningham 1 hour ago An old drug may find new use as a speedy treatment for venomous snakebites. The drug, called unithiol, has long been used as a therapy for heavy metal poisoning. Research in mice suggests the drug could block damaging proteins that are found in the venom of many vipers. A recent Phase I clinical trial explored different dosages of the drug in people — larger quantities than are used for metal poisoning — and didn’t find safety issues, researchers report in the March eBioMedicine. Sign up for our newsletter We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.