Silver Nitrate

Chemical name: AgNO3

Common name: silver nitrate

Cultural significance/history: discovered in the 13th century by Albertus magnus- a german scientist and doctor, historically used in burn therapy

Active ingredient: AgNO3

Uses/indications: used as an antifungal/antimicrobial, used in chemical cauterisation and treatment of neonatal conjunctivitis

Contraindication/ Drug-Drug interactions: silver allergy, extensive open wounds or deep burns (risk of systemic absorption of silver and agyria) application near eyes in high concentrations, drug- drug interactions with other topical antiseptics and chloride solutions which decrease activity

Site of action and mechanism of action: AgNO3 dissociates into silver ions and nitrate ions in tissues, the silver ions bind to the thiol (-SH) groups in microbial enzymes and proteins which disrupts them

Pharmacokinetics: administered transdermally, not metabolised, excreted in bile and faeces, to a lesser extent urine

Side effects: can discolour skin (Agyria) tissue necrosis if overused, ocular irritation if used improperly in the eye

A sample of Silver Nitrate can be found in the Historical Medicinal Collection in the Department of Pharmacology in Trinity College Dublin, based in St. James’s University Hospital. The sample was acquired from BDH Chemicals Ltd. in Poole, England on the 17th of July 1970.

Sample #39/43