Silver nanoparticles
Related Terms
- Acticoat?, ActisorbT, Ag, Ag+, Aquacel? Ag, argyria, Argyrol?, Askina? Calgitrol? Ag, Atrauman? Ag, collargol, Comfeel? Ag hydrocolloid/Biatain? Ag polyurethane foam, Contreet? foam, electro-colloidal silver, Hydrofiber?, Hydrofiber? Ag, ionic silver, Mepilex? Ag, nanosilver, Physiotulle?-Ag, ProAg catheter, protargol, silver, silver nanoparticles, silver protein, Silvercel?, UrgoCell? Silver.
- Selected combination products: MesoSilverT, Silverzone, Utopia Silver.
- Note: Silver sulfadiazine and silver nitrate are not included in this monograph.
Background
- Before the invention of antibiotics, silver was used widely in hospitals in the form of metallic silver, silver nitrate, and silver sulfadiazine. It was used for the treatment of burns, wounds, and bacterial and viral infections. Antibiotics replaced silver treatment in medical practice. With recent concerns over antibiotic resistance, there is renewed interest in medical use of silver.
- Colloidal silver is a mixture of silver particles in a base of dispersed particles. Colloidal silver is marketed as a health supplement to treat diabetes, AIDS, cancer, sinus infection, acne, wounds, food poisoning, tooth decay, urinary tract infections, and other conditions.
- Silver nanoparticles have antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory effects. Silver nanoparticles are generally smaller than 100 nanometers and contain 20-15,000 silver atoms. Silver nanoparticles are used in electronics, biosensing, clothing, the food industry, paints, sunscreens, cosmetics, pesticides, water purification systems, cleaning products, bone replacements, heart devices, catheters, and other medical devices.
- Silver may be toxic when taken at high doses or for long periods, additional research is needed before conclusions may be drawn for any disease.
Evidence Table
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. |
GRADE * |
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. |
GRADE * |
Limited research suggests that silver nanoparticle gel was more effective than alcohol gel for reducing bacteria. Additionally a wound dressing with silver nanoparticles showed effects against bacteria. Additional research is needed in this area.
|
B |
Limited research suggests that silver nanoparticle gel was more effective than alcohol gel for reducing bacteria. Additionally a wound dressing with silver nanoparticles showed effects against bacteria. Additional research is needed in this area.
|
B |
Early research suggests that a silver protein coating on the flexible tube used for removing fluid from the bladder has reduced infections. Flexible tubes used in surgery to drain infected fluids from the brain have been made with silver nanoparticles. This reduced the risk of infections related to the flexible tubes. Additional research is needed in this area.
|
B |
Early research suggests that a silver protein coating on the flexible tube used for removing fluid from the bladder has reduced infections. Flexible tubes used in surgery to drain infected fluids from the brain have been made with silver nanoparticles. This reduced the risk of infections related to the flexible tubes. Additional research is needed in this area.
|
B |
Dressings and agents with silver are often used to treat skin ulcers. Although this has not been well studied in humans, evidence suggests that dressings with silver help wounds heal. These dressings may also prevent redness, swelling, and infection. Additional research is needed in this area.
|
B |
Dressings and agents with silver are often used to treat skin ulcers. Although this has not been well studied in humans, evidence suggests that dressings with silver help wounds heal. These dressings may also prevent redness, swelling, and infection. Additional research is needed in this area.
|
B |
Limited research suggests that wound dressings with silver help wounds heal. These dressings may also prevent redness, swelling, and bacterial infection. Additional research is needed in this area.
|
B |
Limited research suggests that wound dressings with silver help wounds heal. These dressings may also prevent redness, swelling, and bacterial infection. Additional research is needed in this area.
|
B |
Dressings with silver such as Aquacel? Ag or Acticoat? have been used on burn wounds. These dressings have decreased bacteria growth, pain symptoms, and time to healing compared to other therapies. Additional research is needed in this area.
|
C |
Dressings with silver such as Aquacel? Ag or Acticoat? have been used on burn wounds. These dressings have decreased bacteria growth, pain symptoms, and time to healing compared to other therapies. Additional research is needed in this area.
|
C |
A Gelatamp colloidal silver gelatin sponge prevented negative consequences that happen while having a tooth removed. Additional research is needed in this area.
|
C |
A Gelatamp colloidal silver gelatin sponge prevented negative consequences that happen while having a tooth removed. Additional research is needed in this area.
|
C |
Early research suggests that wound dressings containing silver may help wounds heal. These dressings may also prevent redness, swelling, and infection. There are mixed results for the use of dressings with silver on skin graft donor wounds. Additional research is needed in this area.
|
C |
Early research suggests that wound dressings containing silver may help wounds heal. These dressings may also prevent redness, swelling, and infection. There are mixed results for the use of dressings with silver on skin graft donor wounds. Additional research is needed in this area.
|
C |
Using a drop of 10% silver vitellinate soon after childbirth, did not prevent chlamydia infection in newborns. Povidone-iodine was better than a silver protein solution for redness and swelling of the eye.
|
D |
Using a drop of 10% silver vitellinate soon after childbirth, did not prevent chlamydia infection in newborns. Povidone-iodine was better than a silver protein solution for redness and swelling of the eye.
|
D | * Key to grades
A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
| * Key to grades
A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
| Tradition / Theory
The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.
Dosing
Adults (18 years and older)
- For skin graft donor wounds, Acticoat? (with 50-100 milligrams per liter of silver ions) has been used for up to 48 hours. Aquacel? Hydrofiber?, containing silver, has been used (over varied durations) until the wound has healed.
- For ulcers, Aquacel? Hydrofiber? dressings, left in place for up to seven days or changed earlier as clinically indicated, has been used for eight weeks or until healing. A hydroalginate dressing (Silvercel?) that releases silver has been used for 28 days. A silver alginate/carboxymethylcellulose dressing has been used for four weeks.
- For wound healing, an ionic silver alginate matrix (Askina? Calgitrol? Ag) has been used for 15 days. Anionic silver dressing (Aquacel? Ag) has been used on the skin. The duration has been more than 10 days but varied by person.
Safety
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.
Interactions
Interactions with Drugs
- Colloidal silver may increase the risk of bleeding or blood clotting when taken with agents that increase such risks. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
- Colloidal silver may alter blood pressure. Caution is advised in people taking drugs, herbs, or supplements that affect blood pressure, including vasodilators.
- Colloidal silver may interact with antacids, antibiotics, anticancer drugs, antifungals, anti-inflammatories, antivirals, bronchodilators, copper oxide, cytotoxins, drugs that affect bleeding, drugs that are harmful to the liver, gastrointestinal agents, immunosuppressants, iodine, larvicidals, neurologic agents, ophthalmic agents, quinolones, radiation, thyroid hormones, vasodilators, and wound-healing agents.
Attribution
-
This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).
Bibliography
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Caruso DM, Foster KN, Blome-Eberwein SA, et al. Randomized clinical study of Hydrofiber dressing with silver or silver sulfadiazine in the management of partial-thickness burns. J Burn Care Res 2006;27(3):298-309.
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