Where can I find information on whether silver nitrate is regulated by
the federal government as a prescription drug or has been deregulated
as a prescription drug?

Hello silvernitrate-ga,


A search of the National Drug Code database maintained by the FDA --
which lists all presecription (and some non-prescription) drugs)
reveals that silver nitrate is controlled as a prescription drug in a
variety of forms:


http://www.fda.gov/cder/ndc/database/docs/queryndcai.htm



For instance, there is this entry in the database:


SILVER NITRATE  1%  0002-1608-02  100  AMP  SOL  R  

showing that a 1% solution of silver nitrate, in ampule form is
specifically regulated as a prescription drug...the "R" indicates the
drug is prescription (Rx) controlled.

Other forms of silver nitrate are listed as well.  

----------

In addition, the FDA has specifically prohibited the use of silver
salts (which includes silver nitrate) in the sale of over-the-counter
medications.  The actual rule that bans the use can be found here:

http://frwebgate2.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate.cgi?WAISdocID=037679360924+12+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve

----------

I hope this is the information you need.  But if anything about this
answer is unclear, or needs elaboration, please let me know by posting
a Request for Clarification, and I'll be happy to assist you further.

pafalafa-ga

search strategy:  search of www.fda.gov for "silver nitrate"

---

Request for Answer Clarification by silvernitrate-ga on 08 Sep 2003 13:22 PDT

The entries in the FDA database show that there are instances where
silver nitrate is being sold as a prescription drug.  While this is
helpful information, what I am really trying to find out is whether
there are any regulations or requirements that silver nitrate must be
sold under a prescription (and your answer regarding the silver salts
partially answers this question) or whether there is anything stating
that the sale of silver nitrate does not require a prescription.  You
did partially answer my question, but can you find a clearer and more
direct answer to the question, as rephrased?  Thanks.

---

Clarification of Answer by pafalafa-ga on 08 Sep 2003 13:39 PDT

Hello again,

I'll be glad to help you out further on this topic, but I want to make
sure I understand what you're after.

Silver nitrate is a fairly common industrial chemical and is used
(among other things)to make photographic film.  It can be purchased on
a non-prescription basis from a laboratory chemicals supplier, such as
Fisher Scientific or JT Baker.

So, the answer to your question is: a prescription is not needed for
non-medical uses of silver nitrate.

Is this the information you need?  If not, please let me know what
additional information is needed and I'll see what I can do.

---

Request for Answer Clarification by silvernitrate-ga on 09 Sep 2003 13:04 PDT

I think I have enough information for now.  Thanks.

---

Clarification of Answer by pafalafa-ga on 09 Sep 2003 13:14 PDT

Glad to have been of service.  Come back and visit us again soon

pafalafa-ga