Products
Castellani solution is not commercially available as a registered finished drug in many countries and must be prepared in a pharmacy as an extemporaneous preparation. Retailers can also order it from specialized suppliers. The drug is named after Aldo Castellani (1877-1971), a well-known Italian tropical physician who developed it in the 1920s.
Ingredients
Traditional ingredients of the solution include basic fuchsin, resorcinol, phenol, chlorocresol, and boric acid dissolved in acetone, ethanol, and water solvents. Many of these substances are toxic and are controversial today (see below)! Several manufacturing instructions exist, which can be found for example in the DMS, NRF and Formularium Helveticum (see there). The variant with the dye fuchsin is intensely colored red.
Effects
Castellani solution is believed to have astringent, drying, antipruritic, antiseptic, antibacterial, antiparasitic, antifungal, keratolytic, and antiproliferative properties. The application of the solution is controversial, as the ingredients, with the exception of fuchsin, are considered obsolete. They are potentially toxic, allergenic and mutagenic. An aqueous ethanolic fuchsin solution has been suggested as a possible alternative (Ethanol-containing fuchsin solution 0.5% NRF 11.26). In principle, however, it should be noted that better tolerated drugs with comparable properties are commercially available. The choice of alternative depends on the indication.
Indications
Castellani solution is used for the treatment of inflammatory and infectious skin diseases, for example, intertrigo, fungal infections, atopic dermatitis and eczema.
Dosage
As directed by a physician. The solution is applied one to three times a day with a cotton swab or brush to the previously dried skin.
Contraindications
The solution is contraindicated in hypersensitivity and during pregnancy. It should not be applied to large areas of infants and young children. Do not apply to wounds, damaged, on injured skin and mucous membranes. Stains on textiles can be removed with diluted Javel water or soap spirit. Caution: the liquid is flammable.
Interactions
Concurrent topical use of other drugs is not indicated.
Adverse effects
Possible adverse effects include discoloration of skin and clothing, skin irritation, allergic reactions, and skin necrosis.