Cantharidine

Author:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer

Last updated on: 29.10.2020

Synonym(s)

Cantharidinum

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DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

Highly toxic active ingredient of Lytta vesicatoria (formerly Cantharis vesicatoria), the so-called Spanish fly (see below oil beetle dermatitis from the beetle family). On healthy skin it comes to a severe inflammation with blistering. Scarless healing. Cantharidine is used topically in cantharide patches, in combination with other external agents (e.g. salicylic acid and/or podophylline) for the treatment of vulgar warts and mollusca contagiosa.

LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.

Torbeck R et al (2014) Cantharidine: a comprehensive review of the clinical literature. Dermatol Online J 20. pii: 13030/qt45r512w0.
Moye VA et al (2014) Safety of cantharidine: a retrospective review of cantharidine treatment in 405 children with molluscum contagiosum. Pediatric Dermatol 31:450-454.

Authors

Last updated on: 29.10.2020

Author: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer