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| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name dibromohydroxymercurifluorescein | |
| Identifiers | |
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3D model (JSmol) | |
| ChEBI | |
| ChEMBL | |
| ChemSpider |
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| DrugBank | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.004.486 |
| EC Number |
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| KEGG |
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| UNII | |
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| Properties | |
| C20H8Br2HgNa2O6 | |
| Molar mass | 750.658 g·mol−1 |
| Appearance | dark red liquid |
| Pharmacology | |
| D08AK04 (WHO) | |
| Hazards | |
| Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH): | |
Main hazards | Toxic, dangerous for the environment
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| GHS labelling: | |
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| Danger | |
| H300,H310,H330,H373,H410 | |
| P260,P264,P273,P280,P284,P301+P310 | |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in theirstandard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
Merbromin (marketed asMercurochrome,Merbromine,Mercurocol,Sodium mercurescein,Asceptichrome,Supercrome,Brocasept andCinfacromin) is anorganomercuricdisodiumsaltcompound used as atopicalantiseptic for minor cuts and scrapes and as a biologicaldye. Readily available in most countries, it is no longer sold in Switzerland, Brazil, France, Iran, Germany, Denmark, or the United States, due to itsmercury content.[1][2]
Merbromin's best-known use is as a topicalantiseptic to treat minor wounds, burns, and scratches.[3] It is also used in the antisepsis of theumbilical cord,[4] and the antisepsis of wounds with inhibited scar formation, such as neuropathic ulcers and diabetic foot sores.[5] When applied on a wound, it stains the skin a distinctivecarmine red, which can persist through repeated washings. Due to its persistence and to itslethality to bacteria, Merbromin is useful on infections of the fingernail or toenail.
In 1998, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reclassified merbromin from "generally recognized as safe" to "untested," due to a lack of recent studies or updated supporting information.[6] Consequently, its use in the United States has been superseded by other agents (e.g.,povidone iodine,benzalkonium chloride,chloroxylenol).
Merbromin is synthesized by combining dibromofluorescein with mercuric acetate and sodium hydroxide or, alternatively, through action of the mercuric acetate upon (or combining with) sodium dibromofluorescein. Because of itsanionic character, it is chemically incompatible with acids, the majority of alkaloid salts and most local anesthetics.[7]
Merbromin is sold under the trade name Mercurochrome (in which the suffix "-chrome" denotes "color"[8]). The name is also commonly used forover-the-counter antisepticsolutions consisting of merbromin (typically at 2% concentration) dissolved in eitherethyl alcohol (tincture) or water (aqueous).
Its antiseptic qualities were discovered in 1918 byHugh H. Young, a physician atJohns Hopkins Hospital.[9] The chemical soon became popular among parents and physicians for everyday antiseptic uses, in part because the dye component made it easy to see where the antiseptic had been applied.
On 19 October 1998, citing potential formercury poisoning, theUS Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reclassified merbromin from "generally recognized as safe" to "untested," effectively halting its distribution within the United States.[1] Sales were subsequently halted in Brazil (2001), Germany (2003),[2] and France (2006).[citation needed] It remains readily available in most other countries.[citation needed]
Within the United States, products such asHumco Mercuroclear ("Aqueous solution ofbenzalkonium chloride and lidocaine hydrochloride") play on the brand recognition history of Mercurochrome but substitute other ingredients with similar properties.[10] In Canada,Jean Coutu Group markets achlorhexidine solution under the name Mercurochrome.[11]
Se ha estudiado en 72 pacientes la eficacia de la merbromina comparativamente con la clorhexidina como antisépticos usados en la curación de múltiples afecciones en el pie diabético. Con el uso de merbromina se consigue disminuir apreciablemente el tiempo de cicatrización de las heridas, y se ha observado también una ausencia de complicaciones en los casos estudiados.
