Selenium disulfide is a medication used to treat pityriasis versicolor, seborrhoeic dermatitis, and dandruff. It is applied to the affected area as a lotion or shampoo. Dandruff frequently returns if treatment is stopped.
Side effects include hair loss, irritation of the skin, weakness, and feeling tired. Use in not recommended in children less than 2-5 years old. Use in pregnancy or breastfeeding has not been studied. Selenium disulfide is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula SeS2.
Selenium disulfide was approved for medical use in the United States at least as early as 1951. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system. Selenium disulfide is available as a generic medication and over the counter. In the United States a month of treatment costs less than 25 USD. In the United Kingdom 100 ml of 2.5% shampoo costs the NHS about 1.96 pounds.
Video Selenium disulfide
Medical uses
Selenium disulfide is sold as an antifungal agent in shampoos for the treatment of dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis associated in the scalp with Malassezia genus fungi. In the United States, a 1% strength is available over-the-counter, and a 2.5% strength is also available with a prescription. At the 2.5% strength, selenium disulfide is also used on the body to treat tinea versicolor, a type of fungal skin infection caused by a different species of Malassezia.
Maps Selenium disulfide
Side effects
Selenium disulfide can cause discoloration of the hair and alter the color of hair dyes. It may also discolor metallic jewellery. Selenium monosulfide (SeS) is the only selenium compound so far identified as a carcinogen in animals.
Chemical composition
Selenium disulfide has a composition that approximates to SeS2 and is sometimes called selenium sulfide. However, as used in proprietary formulations, it is not a pure chemical compound but a mixture where the overall Se:S ratio is 1:2. The compounds are Se-S rings containing a variable number of S and Se atoms, SenS8-n.
Many selenium sulfides are known as indicated by 77Se-NMR spectroscopy.
History
Selenium monosulfide, along with elemental selenium and sulfur, has been used in medicinal preparations in the past, causing confusion and contradiction as to exactly what form selenium is in any given topical preparation.
See also
- Zinc pyrithione, an antimicrobial agent used in many off the shelf shampoos
- Selsun Blue, a shampoo with selenium disulfide as its active ingredient
- Ketoconazole, another antifungal agent used in medicated shampoos
References
Further reading
- Danby, FW; Maddin, WS; Margesson, LJ; Rosenthal, D (December 1993). "A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of ketoconazole 2% shampoo versus selenium sulfide 2.5% shampoo in the treatment of moderate to severe dandruff". Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 29 (6): 1008-12. doi:10.1016/0190-9622(93)70282-x. PMID 8245236.
- Grover, R. W. (1956). "Diffuse Hair Loss Associated with Selenium (Selsun) Sulfide Shampoo". JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association. 160 (16): 1397. doi:10.1001/jama.1956.02960510023006.
- Givens, T. G.; Murray, M. M.; Baker, R. C. (1995). "Comparison of 1% and 2.5% Selenium Sulfide in the Treatment of Tinea Capitis". Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. 149 (7): 808-11. doi:10.1001/archpedi.1995.02170200098016. PMID 7795774.
- Ransone, James W.; Scott, Norman M.; Knoblock, Edward C. (1961). "Selenium Sulfide Intoxication". New England Journal of Medicine. 264 (8): 384. doi:10.1056/NEJM196102232640806. PMID 13739506.
- Laitinen, Risto S.; Pakkanen, Tapani A. (1987). "77Se NMR spectroscopic characterization of selenium sulfide ring molecules SenS8-n". Inorganic Chemistry. 26 (16): 2598. doi:10.1021/ic00263a010.
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