Colloidal Silver
NOT GRAS per FDA
AKA: Argent Colloïdal, Argent Ionique, Argent Natif, Argentum Metallicum, Colloidal Silver Protein, Ionic Silver, Native Silver, Plata Coloidal, Protéine d'Argent, Silver Alginate, Silver Protein, Tetrasilver Tetroxide, Tétroxyde de Tétra-Argent.
USES
used for wound care since olden days (up through WW which? who used it most?)
topical antibiotic on medical equipment (breathing tube, catheter) and in bandages
"colloidal silver" suspension available since FDA said not GRAS in 1990's
cure all claims
Internet ads for the components of generator to produce colloidal silver at home
LIKELY UNSAFE ...when used orally, topically, or intravenously
total daily silver intake should not exceed 14 mcg/kg/day (980 mcg/day for a 70 kg person)
easily exceeded if supplemented
AVOID when pregnant, poss teratogen (ear, face, neck)
ACCUMULATES
in the body
Argyria (bluish skin, first slate-blue line in gingiva or fingernails, incr melanin)
Neuro deficits ?? never specified
Deposition in organs: concentrates in skin, liver, spleen, adrenals (muscle, brain)
Renal damage
Metal flume fever can occur ??
GERMICIDAL: inorganic silver (in compound)
binds reactive groups, denatures and precipitates proteins
Can inactivate enzymes by binding to sulfhydryl, amino, carboxyl, phosphate, imidazole groups!
Half-life depends on the silver salt used, is days-months, longer in skin.
CLEARANCE
Eliminated fecally with active bile excretion.
INTERACTIONS
compromises absorption of levothyroxine, penicillamine, quinolones and tetracycline
less effective and more dangerous than many other products in the editor's note
silver has no known physiological function and is not an essential mineral
Once OTC but FDA ruled in 1997 that "Colloidal silver drug products were not considered safe or effective. Colloidal silver products marketed for medical purposes or promoted for unsubstantiated uses are considered misbranded."
silver ion (Ag+)
bioactive, kills bacteria in vivo need sufficient concentration
kills bact in external wounds
wound dressing may contain silver sulfadiazine (Ag-SD) or silver nanomaterials
good idea considering antibiotic-resistant bacteria
other good applications: urinary catheters, endotracheal breathing tubes (prevent VAP, ventilator associated pneumonia
in bone prostheses, reconstructive orthopaedic surgery and cardiac devices
on surfaces and fabrics
HISTORY
pre-1940's used internally for a variety of diseases
discontinued when antibiotics were developed
Since 1990s "colloidal silver" marketed as an alternative medicine
cure-all claims
not proven, illegal some places
SOURCES
http://naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com
wikipedia
AKA: Argent Colloïdal, Argent Ionique, Argent Natif, Argentum Metallicum, Colloidal Silver Protein, Ionic Silver, Native Silver, Plata Coloidal, Protéine d'Argent, Silver Alginate, Silver Protein, Tetrasilver Tetroxide, Tétroxyde de Tétra-Argent.
USES
used for wound care since olden days (up through WW which? who used it most?)
topical antibiotic on medical equipment (breathing tube, catheter) and in bandages
"colloidal silver" suspension available since FDA said not GRAS in 1990's
cure all claims
Internet ads for the components of generator to produce colloidal silver at home
LIKELY UNSAFE ...when used orally, topically, or intravenously
total daily silver intake should not exceed 14 mcg/kg/day (980 mcg/day for a 70 kg person)
easily exceeded if supplemented
AVOID when pregnant, poss teratogen (ear, face, neck)
ACCUMULATES
in the body
Argyria (bluish skin, first slate-blue line in gingiva or fingernails, incr melanin)
Neuro deficits ?? never specified
Deposition in organs: concentrates in skin, liver, spleen, adrenals (muscle, brain)
Renal damage
Metal flume fever can occur ??
GERMICIDAL: inorganic silver (in compound)
binds reactive groups, denatures and precipitates proteins
Can inactivate enzymes by binding to sulfhydryl, amino, carboxyl, phosphate, imidazole groups!
Half-life depends on the silver salt used, is days-months, longer in skin.
CLEARANCE
Eliminated fecally with active bile excretion.
INTERACTIONS
compromises absorption of levothyroxine, penicillamine, quinolones and tetracycline
less effective and more dangerous than many other products in the editor's note
silver has no known physiological function and is not an essential mineral
Once OTC but FDA ruled in 1997 that "Colloidal silver drug products were not considered safe or effective. Colloidal silver products marketed for medical purposes or promoted for unsubstantiated uses are considered misbranded."
silver ion (Ag+)
bioactive, kills bacteria in vivo need sufficient concentration
kills bact in external wounds
wound dressing may contain silver sulfadiazine (Ag-SD) or silver nanomaterials
good idea considering antibiotic-resistant bacteria
other good applications: urinary catheters, endotracheal breathing tubes (prevent VAP, ventilator associated pneumonia
in bone prostheses, reconstructive orthopaedic surgery and cardiac devices
on surfaces and fabrics
HISTORY
pre-1940's used internally for a variety of diseases
discontinued when antibiotics were developed
Since 1990s "colloidal silver" marketed as an alternative medicine
cure-all claims
not proven, illegal some places
SOURCES
http://naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com
wikipedia