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| Selenium sulfide | |
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| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | [7488-56-4] |
| PubChem | |
| MeSH | |
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| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | S2Se |
| Molar mass | 143.09 |
| Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references |
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Selenium sulfide (also selenium sulphide; see spelling), a loose name for what is technically selenium disulfide or selenium (IV) sulfide, formula SeS2 [1][2], is an antifungal agent often used in shampoos for the treatment of dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis associated in the scalp with Malassezia genus fungi. [3] In the United States, a 1% strength is available over-the-counter, and a 2.5% strength is also available with a prescription. At the 2.5% strength, selenium (IV) sulfide is also used on the body to treat tinea versicolor, a type of fungal skin infection caused by a different species of Malassezia.
It can be used for adults and children over the age of 5. It should be used twice a week for the first two weeks then once a week for the next two weeks.
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Chemical composition
Selenium sulfide has a composition that approximates to SeS2 and is sometimes called selenium disulfide. However as used in proprietary formulations it is not a pure chemical compound but is a mixture of chemical compounds where the overall Se:S ratio is 1:2. The compounds are cyclic Se−S rings containing a variable number of S and Se atoms, SenS8−n.[4] The formal oxidation state of +4 can be assigned from the stoichiometry and therefore the mixture is sometimes called selenium(IV) sulfide.[5][6], Selenium sulfide can cause discoloration of the hair and alter the color of hair dyes. It may also discolor metallic jewellery. It should not be used in the first 3 months of pregnancy.
Confusion with selenium(II) sulfide (selenium monosulfide), a carcinogen
Selenium monosulfide (SeS) is the only selenium compound so far identified as a carcinogen in animals. [7] Selenium monosulfide, along with elemental selenium and sulfur has been used in medicinal preparations in the past [8], causing confusion and contradiction [9] as to exactly what form selenium is in, in any given topical preparation.[10]
See also
- Zinc pyrithione, an antimicrobial agent used in some medicated shampoos, which can be used by all patients of any age. It should be used daily until the dandruff has gone.
Footnotes
- ^ Selenium(IV) sulfide - pharmacy codes search engine
- ^ Chemicals of Selenium .Se
- ^ Accessed Dec. 24, 2007
- ^ Cyclic selenium sulfides R. Steudel, R. Laitinen, Topics in Current Chemistry, (1982), 102, 177-197
- ^ Selenium(IV) sulfide - pharmacy codes search engine
- ^ Chemicals of Selenium .Se
- ^ http://www.scorecard.org/chemical-profiles/html/selenium.html
- ^ Definition: selenium sulfide from Online Medical Dictionary
- ^ DrugBank: DB00971 (Selenium Sulfide)
- ^ selenium sulfide: Definition and Much More from Answers.com
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