Medication Summary
Selenium and sulfur have been shown to have favorable modifying effects on the metabolism and toxicity of silver by forming complexes with silver. Silver selenide is highly insoluble in vivo, and this effectively reduces the availability of monovalent silver to interfere with normal enzymatic activities in tissues. However, the silver-sulfur complexes formed in vivo do not seem as stable as silver-selenium complexes.
Pigment agents
Class Summary
According to reports, a 4% hydroquinone treatment could reduce the number of silver granules in the upper dermis and around sweat glands and reduce the number of melanocytes; however, no completely satisfactory treatment modalities exist and some pigmentation remains permanently.
Hydroquinone (Eldopaque-Forte, Solaquin Forte, Lustra)
Topical application produces a reversible depigmentation of the skin by the inhibition of the enzymatic oxidation of tyrosine to 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine and suppression of the melanocyte metabolic process.
-
A 92-year-old asymptomatic white man with generalized argyria. For many years, this man had used nose drops containing silver. His skin biopsy showed silver deposits in the dermis, confirming the diagnosis of argyria. © Dec 3, 2008 Herbert L. Fred, MD; Hendrik A. van Dijk. Textbook content produced by Herbert L. Fred, MD; Hendrik A. van Dijk is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License 2.0 license.
