Last update Aug. 23, 2021

Crystal Violet

Compatible

Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.

Antiseptic dye with antibacterial effect against Gram positive bacterial infections (staphylococcus) and antifungal against Candida yeast infection (Prabha 2020, Pona 2020).
Topical Administration.

It has been used widely to treat oral infections (candidiasis, herpes) in young infants.
Its use has been restricted by the risk of ulcerations, the “dirt” that results from the dye and the possible carcinogenic effect in animals (IARC 2021), not demonstrated in humans (Prabha 2020, Pona 2020).

It is still recommended to treat candidiasis of the nipple. The solution must be aqueous, with a concentration of less than 0.5% and not to be used for more than a week (Berens 2016; Lawrence 2016).

WHO Essential Medicines List: compatible with breastfeeding (WHO 2002)

Alternatives

  • Clotrimazole (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Fluconazole (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Miconazole (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Nystatin (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.

Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.

Other names

Crystal Violet is also known as Gentian Violet. Here it is a list of alternative known names::


Crystal Violet in other languages or writings:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Crystal Violet in its composition:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Molecular weight 408 daltons

References

  1. IARC Monographs Vol 129 group.. Carcinogenicity of gentian violet, leucogentian violet, malachite green, leucomalachite green, and CI Direct Blue 218. Lancet Oncol. 2021 Mar 25. pii: S1470-2045(21)00178-9. Abstract
  2. Pona A, Quan EY, Cline A, Feldman SR. Review of the use of gentian violet in dermatology practice. Dermatol Online J. 2020 May 15;26(5). pii: 13030/qt79g6z0cf. Review. Abstract
  3. Prabha N, Arora RD, Ganguly S, Chhabra N. Gentian violet: Revisited. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2020 Sep-Oct;86(5):600-603. Abstract
  4. Berens P, Eglash A, Malloy M, Steube AM. Protocolo clínico ABM n.26: Dolor persistente con la lactancia materna. Breastfeed Med. 2016 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  5. Lawrence RA, Lawrence RM. Breastfeeding. A guide for the medical profession. Eighth Edition. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2016
  6. Berens P, Eglash A, Malloy M, Steube AM. ABM Clinical Protocol #26: Persistent Pain with Breastfeeding. Breastfeed Med. 2016 Mar;11(2):46-53. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  7. UN- ONU. United Nations Consolidated List of Products Whose Consumption and/or Sale Have Been Banned, Withdrawn, Severely Restricted or not Approved by Governments. Twelfth issue. None 2005 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  8. WHO / UNICEF. BREASTFEEDING AND MATERNAL MEDICATION Recommendations for Drugs in the Eleventh WHO Model List of Essential Drugs. Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development (WHO/UNICEF) 2002 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)

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