Cantharidin
- Atc Codes:D11AF
Table of contents
- Brand Names
- Chemistry
- Pharmacologic Category
- Mechanism of Action
- Therapeutic Use
- Unlabeled Use
- Contraindications
- Warnings and Precautions
- Adverse Reactions
- Inhibits
- Toxicological Effects
- Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
Brand Names
North America
Canada: Canthacur, Cantharone.
Drug combinations
Chemistry
Cantharides Tincture: Tincture prepared from cantharides (beetles of the Epicauta gorhami Marseul (Meloidae family)).
Pharmacologic Category
Keratolytic Agents. (ATC-Code: D11AF).
Mechanism of action
Cantharidin (an anhydride of cantharidic acid) is a potent inhibitor of protein phosphatases types 1 and 2, which acts as a dermal and mucosal vesicant. It is derived from the blister beetle (Cantharis vesicatoria) used topically as a wart remover (at concentrations of 0.7% to 1%). Due to its lipid solubility, systemic absorption can occur from dermal contact.
Therapeutic use
Removal of ordinary and periungual warts.
Pregnancy and lactiation implications
Unlabeled use
Aphrodisiac.
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to cantharidin or any component of the formulation.
Warnings and precautions
May cause delirium.