Selenium disulfide

Selenium disulfide
Clinical data
Trade namesSelseb, Selsun Blue, others
Other namesSelenium sulfide
AHFS/Drugs.comMonograph
MedlinePlusa682258
Routes of
administration
Topical
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Identifiers
CAS Number
PubChem CID
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ECHA InfoCard100.028.458 Edit this at Wikidata
Chemical and physical data
FormulaS2Se
Molar mass143.09 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
Density3 g/cm3
Melting point111 °C (232 °F)
Boiling point118 to 119 °C (244 to 246 °F) (decomposes)
Solubility in waternegligible mg/mL (20 °C)
  • S=[Se]=S
  • InChI=1S/S2Se/c1-3-2
  • Key:JNMWHTHYDQTDQZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Selenium disulfide, also known as selenium sulfide, is a chemical compound and medication used to treat seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff, and pityriasis versicolor.[1][2] It is applied to the affected area as a lotion or shampoo.[3] Symptoms frequently return if treatment is stopped.[4]

Side effects may include hair discoloration, skin irritation, and risk of systemic absorption and toxicity, among others.[1] Use is not recommended in children less than 2–5 years old.[1][4] Use in pregnancy or breastfeeding has not been studied.[5] It consists of a mixture of inorganic covalent compounds having an approximate empirical formulas of SeS2.[6] Selenium disulfide acts as a keratolytic and antifungal agent.[7][8][9]

Selenium disulfide was approved for medical use in the United States at least as early as 1951.[4] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[10] Selenium disulfide is available as a generic medication and over the counter.[3]

  1. ^ a b c World Health Organization (2009). Stuart MC, Kouimtzi M, Hill SR (eds.). WHO Model Formulary 2008. World Health Organization. p. 297. hdl:10665/44053. ISBN 9789241547659.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference pmid11702314 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Hamilton R (2015). Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia 2015 Deluxe Lab-Coat Edition. Jones & Bartlett Learning. p. 194. ISBN 9781284057560.
  4. ^ a b c "Selenium Sulfide". The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  5. ^ "Selenium sulfide topical Use During Pregnancy". Drugs.com. Archived from the original on 16 January 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  6. ^ Mitchell SC (2003). Biological Interactions Of Sulfur Compounds. CRC Press. p. 174. ISBN 9780203362525. Archived from the original on 16 January 2017.
  7. ^ Mitchell SC, Nickson RM, Waring RH (August 1993). "The Biological Activity of Selenium Sulfide". Sulfur Reports. 13 (2): 279–289. doi:10.1080/01961779308048957. eISSN 1029-0508. ISSN 0196-1772.
  8. ^ Borda LJ, Perper M, Keri JE (March 2019). "Treatment of seborrheic dermatitis: a comprehensive review". The Journal of Dermatological Treatment. 30 (2): 158–169. doi:10.1080/09546634.2018.1473554. PMID 29737895. S2CID 13686180.
  9. ^ Gupta AK, Madzia SE, Batra R (2004). "Etiology and management of Seborrheic dermatitis". Dermatology. 208 (2): 89–93. doi:10.1159/000076478. PMID 15056994. S2CID 22432032.
  10. ^ World Health Organization (2019). World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 21st list 2019. Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/325771. WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.06. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.