Salvarsan jaundice (obsolete; icterus salvarsanicus) is a form of toxic liver damage that develops as a complication after administration of the drug salvarsan for the treatment of syphilis.
Salvarsan is an arsenic drug that was used in the first half of the 20th century to treat syphilis. Some patients developed jaundice after administration of salvarsan due to the toxic effect of the drug on the liver.
The main symptoms of salvarsan jaundice:
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Yellowness of the skin and sclera of the eyes due to increased bilirubin levels
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Dark urine
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Discolored stool
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Liver enlargement
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Weakness, loss of appetite
Salvarsan jaundice usually develops 10-14 days after administration of the drug. For treatment, symptomatic therapy is carried out, in particular, hepatoprotectors are prescribed. The prognosis for salvarosa jaundice is favorable; with adequate treatment, symptoms disappear within a few weeks.
Thus, salvarsan jaundice is a side effect of the old antisyphilitic drug salvarsan, manifested by impaired liver function. Currently, salvarsan is not used in medical practice.