Part I Hydrogen Peroxide Solution 611
hydroxide for neutralization, using phenolphthal- water; this quantity makes about a 1:1000 solu-
emn T.S. as indicator. Arsenic,--The limit is 2 tion of hydrogen peroxide. In the presence of
parts per million. Barium.-No turbidity results organic matter the compound is so rapidly broken
on adding 2 drops of diluted sulfuric acid to 10 down that it is much less efficient (see review by
Ml. of hydrogen peroxide solution. Heavy metals. Haase, Pharmazie, 1950, 5, 436).
-The limit is 5 parts per million. Limit of pre- The addition of hydrogen peroxide solution has
servative.-Not more than 50 mng. from 100 Ml. been recommended as an emergency method for
of hydrogen peroxide solution on extracting the the preservation of milk. It effects a partial or
latter with a mixture of chloroform and ether. complete sterilization of the milk and quickly
U.S.P. disappears, being dissociated into water and oxy-
Assay.-A 2-mI. portion of hydrogen peroxide gen. The use in milk and cream has been com-
solution is mixed with water and diluted sulfuric mon in Great Britain. As it was first suggested
acid and titrated with 0.1 N potassium permanga- by Budd, products so preserved are sometimes
nate. The following reaction takes place: 511202 called "buddlized."
+ 2KMnO4 + 3H2S04 -. 502 + 2MnSO4 + CLEANSER.-Hydrogen peroxide solution is
K2S04 + 8H20. Each ml. of 0.1 N potassium used in medicine as a means of cleansing wounds,
permanganate represents 1.701 Mg. Of H202. suppurating ulcers, and the like. Its value in these
U.S.P. conditions is probably more due to removing
Incompatibilities.-Hydrogen peroxide is de- organic detritus, which forms a breeding place
composed by reducing agents including most or- for the microorganisms, than to its antibacterial
ganic matter. It reacts with oxidizing agents to action. Its styptic effect-probably due to the
liberate oxygen. Metals, metallic salts, light, agi- activation of the fibrin ferment of the blood and
tation and heat increase its decomposition. consequent more rapid coagulation-as well as its
Uses.-Hydrogen peroxide is used as an anti- relatively harmless nature make it a very popular
septic, wound cleanser and deodorant. In solution antiseptic for household use. In inflammatory
it is slowly decomposed, liberating a portion of conditions of the external auditory canal, a dilu-
its oxygen. All tissues, including pus and blood, tion with 3 parts of water is a valuable cleanser
contain an enzyme, catalase, which releases oxy- prior to the instillation of the appropriate thera-
gen. Evidently this nascent oxygen has a powerful peutic agent according to the etiology of the
oxidizing effect and thereby destroys many forms condition. Without thorough cleansing of the
of organic matter. In the presence of these canal, no chemotherapeutic agent can be effec--
catalyzing agents, the antibacterial powers of the tive. In cases with fecal impaction, after rectal
drug are greatly reduced. Effervescence is much instillation of warm liquid petrolatum at bed
more rapid on wounds, denuded areas and mucous time, an enema of hydrogen peroxide solution
membranes than on unbroken skin. Upon the sys- diluted with 3 parts of water is often useful. In
tem generally hydrogen peroxide does not, and root canals of teeth or other dental pulp cavities,
cannot, exert any physiological action, because it hydrogen peroxide diluted with an equal volume
cannot exist in the blood. Studies of intravenous of water is used; zinc peroxide (q.v.) is also em-
administration in hypoxic animals failed to dem- ployed. It has sometimes been injected into deep
onstrate any value and often the condition was cavities for the purpose of cleansing by irrigation
aggravated by gas embolism or methemoglobin and determining the presence of pus, which will
formation (Lorincz et al., Anesthesiology, 1948, be signalized by effervescence; the method, how-
9, 162). ever, must be used with caution, because if there
ANTISEPTrIC.-The most important use for this is not a free vent for the gas sufficient pressure
agent is as an antibacterial agent. The germicidal may be generated within the cavity to cause
activity of hydrogen peroxide is generally greatly serious local results and even air embolism. Be-
overestimated; it persists only as long as oxygen cause of its lack of toxicity it is a favorite
is being released. Although in relatively dilute disinfectant for application to various mucous
solution it will eventually destroy many of the membranes (see also use of "urea peroxide"
pathogenic microorganisms, its action is extremely above), especially those of the nose and throat.
slow, unless the solution be fairly concentrated. In diphtheria or tonsilitis the official solution may
Gifford found that a neutral solution containing be applied undiluted, by means of either an atom-
15 per cent by volume of H202 (therefore stronger izer or cotton applicator. Diluted with equal parts
than the official solution) would destroy anthrax of water it is often employed as a gargle in
spores after 5 minutes' exposure, and pyogenic pharyngitis, or as a mouth wash in stomatitis, but
cocci in 1 minute, but that the same solution prolonged use causes irritation of the buccal mu-
when diluted with .4 parts of water did not kill cous membrane. Diluted with 1 or more parts of
the pyogenic cocci after 30 minutes. Traugott water it has been used as a vaginal douche. In-
found that 1 per cent by weight of H202 killed ternally the solution has been used with success
typhoid bacilli in 5 minutes and staphylococci in by Goodman (Pennsylvania M. 1., 1910) and
15 to 30 minutes. On the other hand, if allowed .others, in the treatment of hyperchlorhydria
sufficient time, relatively small quantities are (gastritis). It has been claimed that it diminishes
highly efficient. Heinemann (J.A.M.A., 1913, 60, the acidity of the gastric juice, increases the secre-
1603) reached the conclusion from his experi- tion of mucus and exercises an antiseptic action
ments that 3 teaspoonfuls of the official solution, in the stomach.
af ter 6 hours' exposure will destroy 99 per cent Campbell and Cherkin (Science, 1945, 102,
ofthe bacteria present in a liter of drinking 535) found that heating pyrogenic solutions of
Page: Previous 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Next
Last modified: September 9, 2013