Other safety alerts
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| Singapore: Safety update on gentian violet antiseptic |
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Health Sciences Authority (HSA) announces that it is aware that Health Canada had issued a safety alert in Jun 2019 to warn that gentian violet (GV)-containing antiseptic may potentially increase the risk of carcinogenicity. To ensure safe use of GV-containing products in Singapore, HSA has conducted a benefit-risk assessment of these products.
GV is an antiseptic with antibacterial, antifungal and antihelminthic properties. The documented therapeutic uses of topical GV-containing products include the treatment of bacterial skin infections and fungal infections. Although GV’s exact mechanism of action has not been elucidated despite its long history of use (more than a century), several mechanisms have been postulated, including the formation of free radicals and the induction of oxidative stress in bacteria. GV has been reported to be effective against Candida albicans and Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus sp, due to its ability to penetrate the bacterial cell wall. A systemic literature review also suggested that GV could be used to eradicate or disrupt biofilms in ear, nose, and throat (ENT) infections.
HSA has reviewed the available scientific literature and noted that current evidence on the carcinogenicity of GV has mainly been observed with high-dose oral exposure to GV in animal studies. Tumours were observed in various organs (e.g. liver, thyroid, reproductive organs) following two years of oral exposure to mid to high doses (up to 600ppm) of GV in rats and mice. There was insufficient evidence to suggest that the same cancer-causing effect with high-dose oral exposure to GV in animals could be extrapolated to the low-dose external application of GV in humans. To date, there have also been no local and international reports of cancer definitively linked with GV use in humans.
In Singapore, GV is not a commonly used antiseptic, possibly due to the advent of newer and more effective antiseptics. However, there are some clinicians who use GV topically for the short-term management of certain acute conditions, such as skin erosion conditions, stoma care and ear infections, when other therapeutic options may not be as effective.
Based on available data, the current evidence on potential risk of carcinogenicity with GV appears to be mainly limited to high-dose oral exposure to GV in animal studies. Nonetheless, healthcare professionals need to be aware of this risk. As GV remains a useful therapeutic option for certain acute conditions, to ensure safe use of the product, healthcare professionals are reminded that GV-containing antiseptic is limited to short-term external use only.
Please refer to the following website in HSA for details:
http://www.hsa.gov.sg/announcements/safety-alert/safety-update-on-gentian-violet-antiseptic
In Hong Kong, there is currently no registered pharmaceutical product containing gentian violet (also known as methylrosanilinium chloride). Related news was previously issued by Health Canada, and was posted on the Drug Office website on 13 Jun 2019. Letters to inform local healthcare professionals were issued by the Department of Health on the same day.
Ends/Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Issued at HKT 16:00
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