Colloidal Silver Advanced Formula [Discontinued] by California Academy of Health

POSSIBLY INEFFECTIVE

• Rhinosinusitis. Intranasal colloidal silver does not seem to improve symptoms in adults with chronic rhinosinusitis. Details: Preliminary clinical research shows that intranasal colloidal silver (Sovereign Silver, Natural Immunogenics Corp) administered as four sprays into the nostril twice daily for 6 weeks does not improve objective or subjective nasal or sinus symptoms when compared with saline nasal spray in adults with chronic, treatment-resistant rhinosinusitis (96759).

INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Acne. Although there is interest in using topical colloidal silver for acne, there is insufficient reliable information available about the clinical effects of colloidal silver for this condition.
• Allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Although there is interest in using oral colloidal silver for allergic rhinitis, there is insufficient reliable information available about the clinical effects of colloidal silver for this condition.
• Cancer. Although there is interest in using oral colloidal silver for cancer, there is insufficient reliable information available about the clinical effects of colloidal silver for this condition.
• Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Although there is interest in using oral colloidal silver for CFS, there is insufficient reliable information available about the clinical effects of colloidal silver for this condition.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although there is interest in using oral colloidal silver for COPD, there is insufficient reliable information available about the clinical effects of colloidal silver for this condition.
• Cystic fibrosis. Although there is interest in using oral colloidal silver for cystic fibrosis, there is insufficient reliable information available about the clinical effects of colloidal silver for this condition.
• Diabetes. Although there is interest in using oral colloidal silver for diabetes, there is insufficient reliable information available about the clinical effects of colloidal silver for this condition.
• Diarrhea. Although there is interest in using oral colloidal silver for diarrhea, there is insufficient reliable information available about the clinical effects of colloidal silver for this condition.
• Gastritis. Although there is interest in using oral colloidal silver for gastritis, there is insufficient reliable information available about the clinical effects of colloidal silver for this condition.
• Peptic ulcers. Although there is interest in using oral colloidal silver for peptic ulcers, there is insufficient reliable information available about the clinical effects of colloidal silver for this condition.
• Prostatitis. Although there is interest in using oral colloidal silver for prostatitis, there is insufficient reliable information available about the clinical effects of colloidal silver for this condition.
• Psoriasis. Although there is interest in using oral colloidal silver for psoriasis, there is insufficient reliable information available about the clinical effects of colloidal silver for this condition.
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although there is interest in using oral colloidal silver for RA, there is insufficient reliable information available about the clinical effects of colloidal silver for this condition.
• Rosacea. Although there is interest in using oral colloidal silver for rosacea, there is insufficient reliable information available about the clinical effects of colloidal silver for this condition.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Although there is interest in using oral colloidal silver for SLE, there is insufficient reliable information available about the clinical effects of colloidal silver for this condition.
• Wound healing. Although there is interest in using oral colloidal silver for wound healing, there is insufficient reliable information available about the clinical effects of colloidal silver for this condition. More evidence is needed to rate colloidal silver for these uses.

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LIKELY UNSAFE ...when used orally, topically, or intravenously. Total daily silver intake should not exceed 14 mcg/kg daily, or 980 mcg daily for a 70 kg person. Combining colloidal silver supplements with regular dietary intake of silver would likely result in exceeding this amount of silver. Silver accumulates in the body and can lead to an irreversible bluish skin discoloration known as argyria. Neurological deficits and diffuse silver deposition in visceral organs can also occur (5525,8148,8149,10647,10648,12092,92137,92138,92139,102575). In 1999, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ruled that there is no evidence for the safety or effectiveness of colloidal silver products (14255,92137).

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION: LIKELY UNSAFE
when used orally, topically, or intravenously. Silver appears to cross the placenta (92140). Epidemiological evidence links increased silver levels to developmental anomalies of the ear, face, and neck (5525). Colloidal silver supplements can also lead to silver accumulation and an irreversible bluish skin discoloration known as argyria. Neurological deficits and diffuse silver deposition in visceral organs can also occur (5525,5526,8148,8149,10647,10648,12092,92137,92138,92139).

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General ...Orally, topically, or via inhalation, colloidal silver can cause serious adverse effects.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
All routes of administration: An irreversible deposition of silver in the skin and mucous membranes with chronic use or high doses can cause a grey-blue discoloration known as argyria. Colloidal silver has also been associated with vision loss and organ damage.

Dermatologic ...Orally, topically, or via inhalation, long-term use of colloidal silver can lead to an irreversible deposition of silver compounds in the mucous membranes, skin, and nails. This condition, which is known as argyria, has been described in numerous case reports (5525,8148,8149,10647,10648,12092,44474,44493,44498,44501)(44514,44523,44528,44538,44540,44547,44593,44638,44649,44726)(44788,44825,44815,92137,92138,92139,96760,102571,102572,102573)(102575,112289). Argyria is characterized by a blueish-gray discoloration which occurs when the silver compounds from colloidal silver are reduced to elemental silver (44474,92139). Since sunlight catalyzes the reduction of silver compounds to elemental silver, sun exposed regions are usually most affected (92138,92139). The blueish-gray discoloration also occurs because colloidal silver can stimulate melanin production in skin (92139). Argyria typically first appears in the gingiva with a slate-blue silver line (5525). It can also occur in the fingernails, where it may be an early sign of silver ingestion and is also known as azure lunula (8149,10648,112289). Argyria usually occurs after ingestion of 4-5 grams of colloidal silver (92138). Although the blueish-gray discoloration associated with argyria is permanent, laser treatment may be used to lighten the skin (92139).

Hematologic ...Intravenously, severe anemia and leukopenia with elevated serum ferritin have been reported in various patients given colloidal silver. In one case, a 30‐year‐old female experienced severe anemia after receiving 48 infusions with a specific colloidal silver marketed for oral use (Argentyn 23). The infusions provided silver 883 mg and were administered over 3 months. The patient was treated for anemia with oral copper, as well as four apheresis treatments. Similar symptoms occurred in other females who were treated with oral copper and repeated blood transfusions. The anemia associated with colloidal silver is related to a decline in serum levels of copper, which is needed for the production of hemoglobin (102570).

Hepatic ...Orally and intravenously, hepatotoxicity has been reported. A 64-year-old male experienced cholelithiasis with acute encephalopathy after repeated oral dosing with colloidal silver providing 2838 ppm of silver over 4 hours (102572). Intravenously, elevated liver enzymes, up to 150 times normal, have been reported in a 30‐year‐old female who received 48 infusions with a specific colloidal silver marketed for oral use (Argentyn 23) providing silver 883 mg over 3 months (102570).

Neurologic/CNS ...At least two cases of myoclonic seizures have been reported after the use of homemade colloidal silver preparations (44485,44649). In one case, myoclonic status epilepticus and coma occurred secondary to consumption of a homemade colloidal silver drink (Schaffer's Health Center Ltd., Unity). The patient had consumed at least one ounce daily for 4 months. The seizures did not respond to benzodiazepines, valproate, phenytoin, phenobarbital, or propofol. The patient required mechanical ventilation and remained in a coma in the intensive care unit for 50 days (44485). In another case, myoclonic seizures and aspiration pneumonia occurred in a 75-year-old male who ingested "several spoons" of homemade colloidal silver up to 4 times daily whenever he "felt a cold coming on" for 4 years. The seizures were treated with clonazepam, and after being hospitalized for 2 months, he was discharged to a nursing home (44649). A more recent case report describes a 70-year-old male hospitalized after exhibiting expressive aphasia, focal seizure followed by generalized seizure, hypertension, encephalopathy, and an abnormal electroencephalogram. The patient had been self-medicating with colloidal silver 1 ounce daily, and blood tests revealed silver levels nearly 16 times that of normal. Extensive tests could not identify any other probable cause other than the silver use. The patient recovered and was discharged on levetiracetam, which was well tolerated at 2 months follow-up. The colloidal silver was a home-made electrolysis preparation using direct current, silver anodes, and steam distilled water (112290).

Ocular/Otic ...Chronic ingestion or inhalation of colloidal silver may cause silver deposition in the eye. This condition is known as ocular argyrosis, which is characterized by a blueish-gray discoloration of the eye (44514,102571). In one case report, chronic use of oral colloidal silver over 9 years resulted in a 2-week history of loss of vision in one eye (102571). Topically, use of eye drops containing colloidal silver can also cause this condition (44821). In one report, a case of ocular argyrosis reportedly occurred in a patient with long-standing herpetic keratitis after only one treatment with eye drops consisting of a 1% solution of colloidal silver (44822).

Oncologic ...Orally, chronic intake of colloidal silver over a 10-year period may have caused bone marrow damage, possibly contributing to the diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia in a 72-year-old male. The patient died of respiratory failure related to recurrent pneumonia (102574).

Renal ...Orally, glomerulonephritis has been reported in a 47-year-old female who took colloidal silver to treat her T-cell lymphoma. She was treated with hemodialysis, intravenous methylprednisolone, and intravenous cyclophosphamide (102575).

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