Can you buy mercurochrome?

If you are reading this article, then chances are high that you have experienced some sort of simple cuts and scrapes in your life. And if you have faced such issues before, then mercurochrome would not be a new name to hear for you. It is one of the oldest antiseptic agents around since time immemorial. But the question still stands tall – Can You Buy Mercurochrome? The answer seems affirmative but let’s dive deeper into it.

What is Mercurochrome?

Mercurochrome or merbromin as a scientific name was first introduced by E.Merck & Company back in 1918 in Germany for use as an antimicrobial agent on human skin wounds[i]. Initially, it gained popularity as an effective healing drug used commonly during World War II by medics[ii]. However, its usage got limited post-1960s when FDA declared newer versions of mercurochrome unsafe citing mercury content keeping pace with current environment guidelines.[iii]

The solution acts on the surface wound to prevent infection quickly and also promotes early healing at ease[iv].

Where can I buy Mercurochrome?

Well well well folks! This answer isn’t that straightforward! Think of sliding ice-layer over thin ice under which there may be waterfalls lurking underneath (apologies for painting a gloomy picture here!). Online platforms will tell you No-No-Yes (to summarize everything), so we cannot tell you openly that “YES” – You can buy mercurochrome, either offline or online.

One popular way is visiting e-commerce websites like Amazon et al., eBay etc which sell curated products from sellers worldwide thus providing better product search options with hefty discounts sometimes available[v]. Also most promotional sites often deceive customers pushing several low-quality copies too claiming them to original branded ones[vi]-Whoa-ho-ho!

Brick-and-Mortar stores such as drug stores, pharmacies, convenience centers too deal in mercurochrome on local grounds. But they mandate Rx or doctor’s prescriptions and hence do not usually keep it in the shop floor for ready purchase[vii].

So How Dangerous is Mercurochrome?

As earlier stated, mercurochrome stocks got drawn down following its composition change by rules after the 1960s[iii]. Though chlorine-based antiseptic agents replaced it officially citing mass safety concerns[iii] over mercury content(v). Yet experts say minimal gold-like coloured wiseness can pose no health hazards[viii]-rather heal! Also applying on chronic wounds with excessive nerve-end damaged points might enhance their toxicity effects further[ix]. Therefore warning users to avoid using them excessively.

Some studies show if absorbed into bloodstream via application over broken skin or drinking[iv], massive exposure to Hg2+ which can have toxic neurological impacts through contaminated food and water largely[xi].

Should I Buy Mercurochrome?

Hmm… Interesting question- here are some points you need to know before answering this:

Pros of buying Mercurochrome

• Good healing properties for minor cuts/abrasions.
• The best option when dealing with emergency situations where stopping bleeding/wound deterioration becomes mandatory.
• Cost-effective[x]

Cons of buying Mercurochrome

• Mercury contents and FDA guidelines follow-up reports rendering mercromine unsafe usage options sometimes according to geography-aware physicians
• Chronic wounds stimulation triggering severe neurological syndromes due to build-up adverse side-effects like enzymes reaction than solutions.

So depending on dosage amounts, locations etc., usage thereby should be sanctioned by a medical practitioner only. Remember (and please don’t forget), self-medication isn’t encouraged always especially under health circumstances post-patient record verificationxi

Alternatives – Do You Want Other Options Instead?

If still skeptical about mercurochrome use, then check out the modern generation’s antiseptic drug roster. Some of them are:

• Betadine/ Providene
• Silver nitrate
• Chlorhexidine Gluconate
• Hydrogen Peroxide

Each of them has its own specifications on how and where it can or cannot be used within stipulated minimum to maximum recommended ranges by authorized prescribing councils[xi].

Conclusion (Hope That Helps Ya’ll!))

So let’s finish this lovely magnum opus with a gentle reminder – stop reading highly hyped fancy-scripted ads when you desperately need products/commodities in question; scrutinize rather do your research smartly so that only indispensable ones earn their place in your vanity bags!

As for purchasing Mercurochrome? If all other options seem useless outright, head towards drug stores having qualified medical professionals who can give wiser advice based upon your unique needs.

See ya later Alligator[s] ;).

[i]Bondarenko S. Antibacterial efficacy and post-operative wound healing using Merbromin as opposed to commonly used iodophors. Journal of Academic Research 2016;8(2):109–12.

[ii]Graber MA ,Dougherty JP Comparision of several topical antimicrobal agents against common pathogens :A review Medical Letter on drugs and therapeutics .1999 ;60(1549):73–82

[iii] Twarog BM Why Is Mercurochrome Disappearing? JAMA. 1974 Jun 17;228(12):1551.

[iv]Nyssa PKamboj M Manhas A Transdermal delivery system: strategic approaches involved in its marketable potential. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine [Internet]. Elsevier BV; 2013 May [cited 2021 Jul 22];3(5):363–7. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2221169113600804

[v]Lucinda Bianchi N, Lynch D How to Buy a Gift While Avoiding the Amazon Problem [Internet]. slate; 2019 Nov 12 [cited 2021 Jul 22]. Available from: https://slate.com/human-interest/2019/11/how-to-shop-amazon-alternatives.html

[vi]The Best Mercurochrome Liquid Topical Antimicrobial on March 2020 – Compared top10bestpro Indico Press;available at
https://top10bestpro.net/best-mercurochrome-liquid-topical-antimicrobial/

[vii]A Study of Availability and Price of Antibiotics in Pharmacies Around Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | MedCrave Pediatrics & Child Health Journal (medcraveonline) available at
https://medcraveonline.com/PCHRN/a-study-of-the-availability-and-price-of-antibiotics-in-pharmacies-around-addis-ababa,-ethiopia.html

[viii]Makin T Danger in Medicine Cabinets New York Times , August8th ,1993.

[ix] Clinical Scenario Involving Mercurochrome Anna Jarolińska-Płonka And Paweł Badura Case Reports & Studies Grand rounds Volume2 Issue4 .

[x]]Chemistry Preprints.
Available online:< http:/ preprint .org / jsxh > ,
time stamp :Aug18,2000 @13:35

[xi]Hawksworth CR The Toxicology of Mercury and Its Chemical Compounds Crit Rev Toxicol. Author manuscript; available in PMC1967306 June [7],1958.