Selenium sulfide

chembox new
ImageFile=
ImageSize=
IUPACName= Selenium(IV) sulfide, selenium disulfide
OtherNames=
Section1=Chembox Identifiers
CASNo=7488-56-4
PubChem=24087
SMILES=S= [Se] =S
MeSHName=Selenium+sulfide
Section2=Chembox Properties
Formula=SeS₂
MolarMass=143.09
Appearance=
Density=
MeltingPt=
BoilingPt=
Solubility=
Section3=Chembox Hazards
MainHazards=
FlashPt=
Autoignition=

Selenium(IV) sulfide (also selenium(IV) sulphide; see spelling), selenium disulfide, loose name : selenium sulfide . Formula SeS₂ [http://pharmacycode.com/Selenium(IV)_sulfide.html Selenium(IV) sulfide - pharmacy codes search engine ] ] [http://www.selenium.se/selenium-disulfide.html Chemicals of Selenium .Se ] ] , is an antifungal agent often used in shampoos for the treatment of dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis associated in the scalp with Malassezia genus fungi. [ [http://dermnetnz.org/treatments/selenium.html Accessed Dec. 24, 2007] ] In the United States, a 1% strength is available over-the-counter, and a 2.5% strength is also available with a prescription. At the 2.5% strength, selenium(IV) sulfide is also used on the body to treat tinea versicolor, a type of fungal skin infection caused by a different species of "Malassezia".

It can be used for adults and children over the age of 5. It should be used twice a week for the first two weeks then once a week for the next two weeks.

Chemical composition

Selenium disulfide has a composition that approximates to SeS₂ and is sometimes called selenium sulfide. However as used in proprietary formulations it is not a pure chemical compound but is a mixture of chemical compounds where the overall Se:S ratio is 1:2. The compounds are cyclic Se−S rings containing a variable number of S and Se atoms, Se_nS_8−n. [ Cyclic selenium sulfides R. Steudel, R. Laitinen, Topics in Current Chemistry, (1982), 102, 177-197] The formal oxidation state of +4 can be assigned from the stoichiometry and therefore the mixture is sometimes called selenium(IV) sulfide.,Selenium disulfide can cause discoloration of the hair and alter the color of hair dyes. It may also discolor metallic jewellery. It should not be used in the first 3 months of pregnancy.

Confusion with selenium(II) sulfide (selenium monosulfide), a carcinogen

Selenium monosulfide (SeS) is the only selenium compound so far identified as a carcinogen in animals. [http://www.scorecard.org/chemical-profiles/html/selenium.html] Selenium monosulfide, along with elemental selenium and sulfur has been used in medicinal preparations in the past [ [http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/cgi-bin/omd?selenium+sulfide Definition: selenium sulfide from Online Medical Dictionary ] ] , causing confusion and contradiction [ [http://redpoll.pharmacy.ualberta.ca/drugbank/cgi-bin/getCard.cgi?CARD=APRD01323.txt DrugBank: DB00971 (Selenium Sulfide) ] ] as to exactly what form selenium is in, in any given topical preparation. [ [http://www.answers.com/topic/selenium-sulfide?cat=health selenium sulfide: Definition and Much More from Answers.com ] ]

ee also

* Zinc pyrithione, an antimicrobial agent used in some medicated shampoos, which can be used by all patients of any age. It should be used daily until the dandruff has gone.

Footnotes