What Is Merthiolate Used For?
Last Updated Apr 7, 2020 1:57:05 PM ET
Merthiolate is a brand name for thiomersal, a mercury-containing medicinal constituent that was used as a preservative and pathogen-inhibitor in numerous types of products, including vaccines, according to MedlinePlus. It was also used in some nasal and eye drop formulations.
The United States Food and Drug Administration banned the use of Merthiolate in over-the-counter products in the late 1990s due to its potential to initiate a wide variety of side effects. These include memory problems, vomiting, skin numbness, decreased urine output, mouth sores and swelling of the throat. Merthiolate poisoning is difficult for doctors to treat, and large-scale exposure to the substance can be fatal, notes MedlinePlus.
More From Reference
Will 5G Impact Our Cell Phone Plans (or Our Health?!)
The Secret Science of Solving Crossword Puzzles
Racist Phrases to Remove From Your Mental Lexicon
Is the Coronavirus Crisis Increasing America's Drug Overdoses?
Fact Check: What Power Does the President Really Have Over State Governors?
Festival of Sacrifice: The Past and Present of the Islamic Holiday of Eid al-Adha