Mersalyl (Mersal) is an

organomercury compound Organomercury refers to the group of organometallic compounds that contain mercury. Typically the Hg–C bond is stable toward air and moisture but sensitive to light. Important organomercury compounds are the methylmercury(II) cation, CH3Hg+; et ...

and

mercurial diuretic Mercurial diuretics are a form of renal diuretic containing mercury. Although previously widely used, they have largely been superseded by safer diuretics such as thiazides, and are hardly used anymore. History and mechanism Inorganic mercury co ...

. It is only rarely used as a drug, having been superseded by diuretic medications that do not contain

mercury Mercury commonly refers to: * Mercury (planet), the nearest planet to the Sun * Mercury (element), a metallic chemical element with the symbol Hg * Mercury (mythology), a Roman god Mercury or The Mercury may also refer to: Companies * Merc ...

and are therefore less toxic. It features a Hg(II) centre. Mersalyl was originally adapted from calomel (Hg₂Cl₂), a diuretic discovered by

Paracelsus Paracelsus (; ; 1493 – 24 September 1541), born Theophrastus von Hohenheim (full name Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim), was a Swiss physician, alchemist, lay theologian, and philosopher of the German Renaissance. He w ...

References

Acetic acids Benzamides Mercurial diuretics Phenol ethers {{cardiovascular-drug-stub

See also

References