Ammonium bituminosulfonate

At Ammonium bituminosulfonate is an anti-inflammatory drug that is used in the treatment of skin diseases. The agent is to be applied to the area of ​​skin to be treated in the form of a black ointment and as a solution. Medicines containing ammonium bituminosulfonate are only available from pharmacies and do not require a prescription.

What is ammonium bituminosulfonate?

Ammonium bituminosulfonate is a natural product. It is also called Ichthyol known and is obtained from oil shale rich in sulfur and containing fossil fish relics by dry distillation.

In the next processing step - sulphonation and subsequent neutralization of individual oil fractions of the crude shale oil - ammonium bituminosulphonate is produced as a sulphonate salt in an aqueous solution. The natural product ammonium bituminosulfonate is a mixture of many components. Unlike tars, ammonium bituminosulfonate contains only small traces of procyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Ammonium bituminosulfonate can be used to treat skin diseases such as eczema, boils, acne and psoriasis. It has also proven to be helpful in treating inflammatory rheumatic complaints. The active ingredient is usually used as a pull ointment in 10, 20 and 50 percent concentrations. The German doctor Paul Gerson Unna discovered the positive dermatological effect of ammonium bituminosulfonate.

The trade names of the monopreparations made from this are Ichtholan®, Thiobitum®, Ichthyol® and Ichtho-Bad®. Ammonium bituminosulfonate is commercially available as a combination preparation, for example under the names Aknederm®, Aknemycin® and Hewelsymphon®.

The ammonium bituminosulfonate ointment is characterized by a tarry odor. Black discolouration of the laundry may occur during use.

Pharmacological effect

Ammonium bituminosulfonate has an anti-inflammatory effect and is therefore one of the anti-inflammatory drugs. In addition, it has an antibacterial, antiseborrheic, anti-eczematous, antipruriginous, antimycetic and blood circulation-stimulating effect.

Ammonium bituminosulfonate inhibits hyaluronidase, sebum secretion, leukocyte migration and the release of chemotactic factors from the granulocytes. It also decreases dandruff by reducing cell proliferation. Applied in high concentrations, it can cause slight skin irritation.

The active ingredient ammonium bituminosulfonate is composed of various organic substances. Of these, aromatics such as phenol are particularly effective. They have an antibacterial effect, curb the secretion of sebum and inhibit deeper inflammation of muscles and joints. Ammonium bituminosulfonate is composed of short-chain and long-chain molecules. Thanks to its short-chain molecules, it overcomes the skin barrier, fights inflammatory processes and, thanks to its anti-inflammatory effect, also has a pain-relieving effect.

The long-chain molecules in turn lead to an osmotic pressure gradient on the skin surface. The resulting pulling effect almost always succeeds in transporting accumulations of pus to the surface of the skin, which means that abscesses heal more quickly. The tensile effect also reduces joint effusions and swellings in the case of fiber and joint inflammation.

Medical application & use

The anti-inflammatory drug ammonium bituminosulfonate can be used to treat various inflammatory skin, muscle and joint ailments:

• acne
• boil
• Eczema
• psoriasis
• Joint inflammation
• Muscle inflammation
• Abscesses
• Inflammation of the nail bed

In addition, ammonium bituminosulfonate is recommended for the treatment of inflammatory rheumatic diseases such as:

• arthrosis
• arthritis
• Tendovaginitis
• Epicondylitis
• Periarthritis
• Bursitis

Ammonium bituminosulphonate is available as an ointment and as a solution, the use as an ointment being preferred.

The active ingredient ammonium bituminosulphonate can pull pus accumulations from deeper layers of the skin to the surface of the skin by pulling the ointment. Its anti-inflammatory effects also reduce pain. Ammonium bituminosulfonate, for example, relieves the typical symptoms of acne very effectively by counteracting the blockages of the sebum ducts, fighting the bacteria that have settled there and preventing the development of boils. Ammonium bituminosulfonate disinfects and softens the skin.

Risks & side effects

Except for occasional local skin reactions such as rash, redness, itching or burning sensation, ammonium bituminosulfonate does not cause skin irritation.

Since it irritates the mucous membranes, contact with the eyes should be avoided. Likewise, it must not get into open wounds. Ammonium bituminosulfonate is contraindicated in cases of hypersensitivity to preparations made from shale oils and in pregnant and breastfeeding women with an active ingredient concentration of 20% or more.

Children under 14 years of age should only be given ammonium bituminosulfonate in lower concentrations of 10% to a maximum of 20%, as their skin is particularly sensitive. Since ammonium bituminosulfonate promotes the absorption of other substances into the skin and intensifies their effect, this active ingredient should not be used in parallel with other medicinal products for the skin.