WESTPORT, Aug 18 (Reuters Health) - The US Food and Drug
Administration declared on Tuesday that over-the-counter drug
products that contain colloidal silver or silver salts are not
recognized as safe or effective.

According to the FDA Final Rule, "...a colloidal silver product for
any drug use will first have to be approved by the FDA under the
new drug application procedures." The FDA said that the general
public cannot use these types of drugs safely on an over-the-
counter basis because adequate directions cannot be written.

In addition, the agency said that the products are mislabeled when
they state that substantial scientific evidence exists that the drugs
are safe and effective for their intended uses.

Products containing colloidal silver, a suspension of silver particles
in a gelatinous base, have been labeled to treat adults and children
for HIV, AIDS, cancer, tuberculosis, malaria, lupus, syphilis,
scarlet fever, shingles, herpes, pneumonia, typhoid, tetanus and
other indications. The drugs are usually taken orally but some exist
in topical or intravenous form.

-Westport Newsroom 203 319 2700