What happened to mercurochrome?

Question

What happened to mercurochrome?

Answer 1

You can still find Mercurochrome and Merthiolate (also called Thimerosal) at some compounding pharmacies; but interstate sales of mercurochome was banned by the FDA in 1998. Basically; Mercurochrome was never proved to be safe and effective. The risks from the mercury was part of the problem; but also there were other antiseptics available that worked as well if not better.



I was painted red, orange, or brown many times over the years (Mercurochrome, Merthiolate, tincture of iodine). It got to the point where I just wouldn't tell my parents that I had a cut or scrape, the treatments hurt worse than the scrape; unless I had a 'gusher' in which case I would end up going to the doctor for yet another round of stitches..... :) The arrival of Bactine did make things a bit more tolerable; but I hated the smell of Bactine.

Answer 2

Mercurochrome

Answer 3

The old style thermometers had mercury in them, and mercurochrome I think had mercury in it too. No young person that I've asked any question of relating to things from the 1950's and 1960's has ever been able to answer my question. Btw, they don't know what shoepolish is either. I don't think they make mercurochrome, iodine or methiolate anymore either. I've replaced the mercurochrome in my box with 70% alcohol. I don't use bandaids anymore and they didn't even have a medicine chest in this apartment when I got it ten years ago. But you know what? They don't need the soap holder or toothbrush holder either so they minds well remove those as well.



If you have a cut you could use neosporene.

Answer 4

I, too, have been looking for Mercurochrome...I bought some about a year ago...but cannot find it. Despite the negative things, it is the only thing that takes care of mouthsores and cuts for me. Mercurochrome numbs it and worked overnight! Sad that it can't be found here anymore.

Answer 5

Sounds like the profit in selling it pales compared to selling other antiseptic products. From what I read, there has been no attempt to grade the degree of toxicity due to the mercury content. On the other hand, as of about 1954, I and my family have used Bacitracin (an antibiotic salve). When mercurochrome disappeared, we never noticed it. When a minor cut or scrape occurs, we simply wash with water then alcohol, put a dab of bacitracin on the wound, cover it with a small plug of cotton, gauze or simply tissue, apply a band aid over it for retention. In more recent years, I have used a longer strips of scotch tape or wrap with masking tape. Change daily until the wound is closed. Then let it open to the air.

Answer 6

I just did a search on mercurochrome in WebMD and found this:



Minor scrapes can be treated effectively at home...but it is necessary to clean the wound thoroughly. Do not use rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, or Mercurochrome, which can harm the tissue...

Answer 7

This Site Might Help You.



RE:

What happened to mercurochrome?

I was at the pharmacy today to pick some antibiotic ointment.

Out of curiosity I asked the pharmacists aid, "Where's the

mercurochrome?". She said, " What's mercurochrome?".

Answer 8

It was replaced by pharmaceutical companies with Neo Sporin anti-biotic ointment since new products are always being marketed. Nothing wrong with mercurochrome but there is something newer and more fashionable (I dont know about better).

Answer 9

That was the closest we came to First Aid. In school the teacher used Merthiolate-was orangish-green and it smelled medicinal and stung like a son of a gun! It took a true hero to tell the teacher he'd fallen on clinkers or skidded on the gravel, because that came next, then the Band-Aid. Very entertaining.

Answer 10

The pharmacist told me mercurochrome didn't kill the serious germs. He also said the leading brands of antiseptic mouth wash also don't. The FDA shut mercurochrome down because it contains mercury which is highly toxic. People were swabbing sore throats with it, which was a nasty dose of mercury.

Answer 11

Not available in the US due to high levels of mercury. But you can get it in all the rest of the world.

Answer 12

My parents always used Iodine on me. Made me howl louder than the injury did! Now, there are the 3 in 1 ointments that kill the pain, kill the germs, and speed the healing. I haven't ever bought any of that as an adult, just Iodine.

Answer 13

Certainly I agree with all the posts about the mercury poisoning possibility , but as far as iodine is concerned, its now marketed as Beta-dine, and it is used extensively in skin preparation before surgery; that's in Australia anyway...............

Answer 14

I'm guessing theres mercury in it and they found it was not good for us.

How funny that we survived all the red splotches. And what it didn't cure

the Indian Salve(black drawing salve)did.

Answer 15

My mother used this for years while sis and I were growing up. It did not burn like merthiolate (?) or alcohol. Poppy

Answer 16

...another word from the past, I almost forgot about it. Also, no more iodine, my Grandmother used to use that.