| Cantharidin revisited: a blistering defense of an ancient medicine. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 11594862 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Cantharidin, a vesicant produced by beetles in the order Coleoptera, has a long history in both folk and traditional medicine. In dermatology, topical cantharidin has long been used to treat warts and molluscum. In 1962, cantharidin lost Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval owing to the failure of its manufacturers to submit data attesting to cantharidin's efficacy. However, it is expected that the FDA will soon include cantharidin on its "Bulk Substances List," which would permit physicians or pharmacists to compound cantharidin to be used in the office for individual patients. A comprehensive discussion of the origins, folk uses, current FDA status, current dermatologic uses, and effects of cantharidin poisoning has been compiled herein. No cases of systemic intoxication or scarring have been reported with the proper use of cantharidin by a physician. Cantharidin is a safe and valuable medication and should be readded to the dermatologic therapeutic armamentarium. |
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Authors:
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L Moed; T A Shwayder; M W Chang |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Review |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Archives of dermatology Volume: 137 ISSN: 0003-987X ISO Abbreviation: Arch Dermatol Publication Date: 2001 Oct |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2001-10-11 Completed Date: 2001-12-04 Revised Date: 2008-03-17 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0372433 Medline TA: Arch Dermatol Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 1357-60 Citation Subset: AIM; IM |
Affiliation:
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New York University School of Medicine, The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, Pediatric Dermatology Unit, 560 First Ave, Room H-100, New York, NY 10016, USA. |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Animals Beetles Cantharidin / poisoning, therapeutic use* Dermatology Drug Approval Humans Irritants / poisoning, therapeutic use* Medicine, Traditional* Skin Diseases / drug therapy* United States United States Food and Drug Administration |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Irritants; 56-25-7/Cantharidin |
| Comments/Corrections | |
Comment In:
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Arch Dermatol. 2002 Oct;138(10):1378
[PMID:
12374552
]
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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