Colloidal Silver/Argyria

Recently, colloidal silver and silver salts preparations have been manufactured and promoted by dietary and nutritional supplement manufacturers as a cure-all. More specifically, their products have been marketed and promoted as capable of treating and curing numerous disease conditions ranging from, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), anthrax, cancer, cold/flu, enlarged prostate, gangrene, gulf war syndrome, hypertension, lupus, lyme disease, multiple sclerosis, parasites, to numerous other medical conditions. In addition, several dietary and nutritional supplement manufacturers market and promote their silver products as a treatment or cure for 650 diseases. However, despite these claims by manufacturers, the PDR (Physicians Desk Reference) for Nutritional Supplements, First Edition, comments that:

colloidal silver no longer has a role in medicine but reappeared in the 1990s as a nutritional or dietary supplement. Neither colloidal silver nor any form of silver has any valid role in nutrition, as a nutritional or dietary supplement.

In September 1999, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final ruling establishing that all over-the-counter (OTC) drug products containing colloidal silver ingredients or silver salts for internal or external use are generally not recognized as safe and effective and are misbranded. Furthermore, the FDA stated that it issued its final rule because “many over-the-counter drug products containing colloidal silver ingredients or silver salts are being marketed for numerous serious disease conditions and FDA is not aware of any substantial scientific evidence that supports the use of over-the-counter colloidal silver ingredients or silver salts for these disease conditions.”

Unfortunately, silver consumption has been found to cause Argyria, a permanent, blue-greyish discoloration of the skin. Argyria is often referred to as the “disease of the living dead.” Argyria is not only called the disease of the living dead because of the blue-greyish tint it causes the skin to acquire, causing those afflicted to literally look like they are dead, but also because it permanently prevents those suffering from Argyria from going out in the sunlight. Each time a person with Argyria is exposed to the sun, they risk permanently darkening their blue-greyish color, in essence also causing them to live without sunshine. In addition, people afflicted with Argyria may also be unable to get diagnostic testing done in the future that utilizes a magnetic field, such as an MRI scan, as a result of the silver, a heavy metal, trapped in their cells.

Despite the FDA’s rule, some U.S. manufacturers continue to sell, market and promote colloidal silver or silver salt preparations as a cure or treatment for numerous diseases. As a result, numerous innocent men, women and children across the country have contracted Argyria. If you or a loved one have used colloidal silver or silver salt preparations and have been diagnosed with Argyria, the attorneys at Goldenberg & Johnson, PLLC can answer any questions you have and discuss your potential case. You can speak with one of our attorneys toll-free at (800) 279-6386.

Related Links:
FDA’s Department of Health and Human Services Proposed Rule, Over-the Counter Drug Products Containing Colloidal Silver Ingredients or Silver Salts, Federal Register 15, 1996 Vol. 61 No. 200, 53685-7. www.fda.gov/cder/otcmonographs/Silver/silver_PR_19961015.pdf

21 CFR Part 310, FDA’s Department of Health and Human Services Final Rule, Over-the-Counter Drug Products Containing Colloidal Silver Ingredients or Silver Salts, effective September 16, 1999. www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/081799a.pdf

FDA’s Dietary Supplement Enforcement Report dated December 18, 2002. www.fda.gov/oc/nutritioninitiative/report.html

FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine CVM Update, Colloidal Silver not Approved dated February 12, 1997. www.fda.gov/cvm/CVM_Updates/silver.html