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Silver nitrate
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Description
Silver nitrate is an antiseptic medicine that contains silver nitrate. It is used externally to prevent infection at wounds and to treat tissue infections. It can also cauterize (burn) bleeding tissue and help scab formation to stop the bleeding in a minor skin wound. It is used in creams and ointments to help remove warts or skin tags.
Silver nitrate may cause some side effects like staining, burning, irritation and redness at the application site. Seek medical help if these side effects do not resolve soon or get worse. Do not use this medicine if you experience any allergic reaction to it.
Silver nitrate should be applied as instructed by your doctor. Clean and dry the affected area before application. Use latex gloves or wash your hands before and after using this medicine. Avoid getting it onto healthy skin around the wound as it can cause irritation. It is meant for external use only so avoid contact with your eyes, nose or mouth. Rinse immediately with water in case of accidental contact. If you wish to stop the effect of this medicine you can apply a saline solution and rinse with clean water. It can cause your skin to turn a grey or black colour temporarily.
Silver nitrate should be used only after your doctor's recommendation. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding, before taking this medicine. Inform your doctor if the infection has not cleared up after four weeks of treatment. Do not use tag removal forms of this medicine like gel on open wounds.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Silver nitrate
Burning sensation at the application site
Itching of skin
Skin rash
Staining of skin
Uses of Silver nitrate
What is it prescribed for?
Antiseptic wound cauterization
Silver nitrate is used to cauterize (burn) infected tissues at a skin wound. It is a prescription topical medicine used in treating wounds and burns on the skin as an antiseptic agent.
Warts and skin tags
Silver nitrate is used to remove warts (bump or growth on the skin caused by infection) and skin tags.
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
Onset of action
The amount of time required for Silver nitrate to show its action is not known.Duration of effect
The amount of time for which Silver nitrate remains active in the body is not known.Safe with alcohol?
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.Is it habit forming?
No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Silver nitrate.Usage in pregnancy?
Silver nitrate is not recommended to be used in pregnancy unless necessary. Please consult your doctor before using this medicine.Usage while breast-feeding?
Silver nitrate is not recommended for use during breastfeeding unless absolutely necessary. Please consult your doctor before using this medicine.
Allergy
Silver nitrate is not recommended for use if you are allergic to silver nitrate, silver, or any other inactive ingredients present in this formulation. Seek medical attention if you notice any symptoms like skin rash, hives (eruptions that itch and sting), swelling (face, lips, tongue, etc.), breathing difficulty, etc.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Silver nitrate is not recommended to be used in pregnancy unless necessary. Please consult your doctor before using this medicine.
Breast-feeding
Silver nitrate is not recommended for use during breastfeeding unless absolutely necessary. Please consult your doctor before using this medicine.
General warnings
External use only
Silver nitrate is meant only for external use. Avoid direct contact with eyes and mouth. Rinse with water in case of accidental contact. To stop the effects of Silver nitrate immediately you can use saline solution. Ingestion of this medicine is highly toxic. Seek medical attention if swallowed accidentally.
Staining
Silver nitrate should be handled with care since it tends to stain the skin, utensils, and cloths.
Dermal absorption
Long term use of Silver nitrate or application of wet dressings to large areas of the skin may lead to the absorption of sodium and chloride ions into the dressing. This can cause electrolyte disorders like hyponatremia and hypochloremia.
Missed Dose
Apply the missed dose of Silver nitrate as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
An overdose of Silver nitrate may cause burning on the site of application. Seek emergency medical help in case of an overdose of this medicine. Ingestion of Silver nitrate may cause gastrointestinal bleed and requires immediate medical intervention.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Sodium Nitrite
Prilocaine
Collagenase
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Silver nitrate is meant for external use only. Avoid direct contact with eyes and mouth. Rinse with water in case of accidental contact. If you swallowed it accidentally, seek immediate medical help.
Follow all dosing instructions mentioned on the label or the package insert. Use latex gloves or washed hands while using Silver nitrate. You can apply petroleum jelly to the skin around the wound to prevent contact and irritation.
Do not use this medicine for shorter or longer durations than recommended by your doctor. Ensure that the treatment course is completed. Report any undesired side effects to the doctor immediately. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Silver nitrate can cause grey colouration of skin which is normal. It can also cause staining of clothes.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Silver nitrate releases silver ions into the skin which act on the bacterial cell membrane and kill them.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antiseptic and germicides
Schedule
Schedule H
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - SILVER NITRATE liquid. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 16 September 2021].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - SILVER NITRATE APPLICATORS stick. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 16 September 2021].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - SILVER NITRATE liquid. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 16 September 2021].
Uofmhealth.org. 2021. silver nitrate topical | Michigan Medicine. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 16 September 2021].
Enzysurge.com. 2021. SilverStream. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 16 September 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 17 Sep 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.