Ferric subsulfate solution is a

styptic An antihemorrhagic (antihæmorrhagic) agent is a substance that promotes hemostasis (stops bleeding). It may also be known as a hemostatic (also spelled haemostatic) agent. Antihemorrhagic agents used in medicine have various mechanisms of action: ...

or hemostatic agent used after superficial skin biopsies. Ferric subsulfate solution is also known as basic ferric sulfate solution or Monsel's solution. It has a recognised formula published in United States Pharmacopeia 29.

Active ingredients

Ferric subsulfate solution is prepared from ferrous sulfate,

sulfuric acid Sulfuric acid (American spelling and the preferred IUPAC name) or sulphuric acid ( Commonwealth spelling), known in antiquity as oil of vitriol, is a mineral acid composed of the elements sulfur, oxygen and hydrogen, with the molecular formu ...

and nitric acid. It contains, per 100 mL, basic ferric sulfate equivalent to not less than 20g and not more than 22g of iron.

Storage

Ferric subsulfate solution should be stored in airtight containers at a temperature above 22 degrees Celsius. Crystallization may occur at temperatures below 22 degrees. Warming the solution may redissolve the crystals. The solution should be protected from light.

Other uses

Ferric subsulfate (also known as Monsel's solution) is often used by Jewish burial societies ( chevra kadisha) to stop post-mortem bleeding. Since Jewish burial does not allow any external skin adhesives such as bandages, tape, glue or resin, ferric subsulfate is an effective way to stop post-mortem bleeding. Most post-mortem bleeding stems from surgery, emergency room situations, autopsies or blood which may result when removing IV lines during Jewish burial preparation. A piece of cotton, or Q-tip, soaked with this solution is pressed against the open wound and held for a few seconds. This is usually enough time for the seal to take effect. For more severe cases, such as arterial lines, if the line is still inside, the solution can be inserted directly into the IV line.Silver Spring Maryland Chevra Kadisha (Jewish Burial Society)

Brandnames

AstrinGyn by

CooperSurgical The Cooper Companies, Inc., branded as CooperCompanies, is a global medical device company, publicly traded on the NYSE (NYSE:COO). With its headquarters in San Ramon, California, it has a workforce of more than 12,000 employees worldwide and ...

is a thickened and specially modified gel formulation.

History

It was invented in the late 1840s by Leon Monsel (March 13, 1816 – April 15, 1878), a French military pharmacist. His invention soon became a standard in the French Corps, which saved many lives during battles of the French Army.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ferric Subsulfate Solution Medical hygiene Iron(III) compounds Sulfates