Ammoniated mercury (Topical)
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 13, 2022.
Uses for ammoniated mercury
Ammoniated mercury is used to treat impetigo, psoriasis, minor skin infections, and other skin disorders.
Ammoniated mercury is available without a prescription.
Before using ammoniated mercury
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For ammoniated mercury, the following should be considered:
Carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For ammoniated mercury, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to ammoniated mercury or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Use is not recommended, since children are especially sensitive to the effects of ammoniated mercury. This may increase the chance of side effects during treatment.
Geriatric
Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of ammoniated mercury in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Interactions with medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other medical problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of ammoniated mercury. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Deep or open wounds or
- Serious burns—Use of ammoniated mercury on these areas may cause mercury poisoning
Proper use of ammoniated mercury
It is very important that you use ammoniated mercury only as directed. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than recommended on the label, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. To do so may increase the chance of absorption through the skin and the risk of mercury poisoning.
Do not use ammoniated mercury on deep or open wounds or serious burns. To do so may cause mercury poisoning.
Keep ammoniated mercury away from the eyes.
Apply enough ointment to cover the affected area, and rub in gently.
Dosing
The dose of ammoniated mercury will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. Th...
