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thimerosal; ethylmercurothiosalycilate; thiomersalate; mercurothiolate; merthiolate; merzonin; vitaseptol

Molecular formula: C6H9HgNaO2S (Na+ salt). Mercury-containing preservative, used in vaccines*, including influenza vaccine & haemophilus b vaccine (HibTITER). Metabolized to ethyl mercury. Less evidence of toxicity or ethyl mercury than methyl mercury. * No link of thimerosal-containing vaccines with autism or attention deficit disorder. [2,3,4] Vaccines containing thimerosal may be associated with tics & delay in language development [3] Used in veterinary medicine as a topical antibacterial & antifungal agent. Prepared by mixing ethyl mercuric chloride with thiosalicylic acid. Stable in air, but not in sunlight. 1 gm dissolves in 1 mL of H2O. Stabilization with EDTA.

Related

haemophilus b vaccine; HIB vaccine (HibTITER, Hiberix) influenza virus vaccine, inactivated (Fluogen, Fluzone, Fluvirin, Flushield, Fluarix, Flulaval, Agriflu, Afluria, Flublok Quadrivalent, FluCelVax, Fluad, RIV4)

General

carboxylate preservative

Properties

SIZE: MW = 405 G/M

Database Correlations

PUBCHEM correlations

References

  1. Merck Index, 12th edition, Merck & Co, 1996
  2. Journal Watch 23(22):169, 2003 Madsen KM et al, Pediatrics 112:604, 2003 PMID: 12949291
  3. Verstraeten T et al, Pediatrics 112:1039, 2003 PMID: 14595043
  4. Prescriber's Letter 12(9): 2005 Information about Thimerosal in Vaccines Detail-Document#: 210913 (subscription needed) http://www.prescribersletter.com