looking for info on Triple Dye

[love2beanurse]

I am doing my drug cards for Newborn rotation. We have to do one on Triple Dye, and I can only find bits and peices of all the information I need for it. If anyone knows anything about it, or a website where I can find it I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks so much in advance!

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

Which pieces are you missing?

[love2beanurse]

common dose and frequency

side effects

drug interactions

contraindications

nursing implications

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

I've been searching the FDA site and I'm not finding anything on this. I have found two makers of it and found that it is a formula that dates back to the 1960s so it's a generic product.

http://www.medi-dose.com/catalog/patient/tripledye.asp

http://www.vistapharm.com/kerrtriple.html - bottom line of this page lists the three components of triple dye: brilliant green 2.29mg, gentian violet 2.29mg, proflavine hemisulfate 1.14mg, in an aqueous solution.

[love2beanurse]

Thanks for your help!

[prmenrs, RN]

From: Trends in Umbilical Cord Care: Scientific Evidence for Practice

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/497030_4

"....Triple dye, an agent bactericidal to both gram-positive and -negative bacteria, contains three ingredients: brilliant green, crystal violet, and proflavine hemisulfate. It was widely used in the 1950s until the popularity of hexachlorophane baths. In 1971, when hexachlorophene baths were not recommended, triple dye was reappraised. Since the early 1970s, triple dye has been used commonly for umbilical cord care.[20] Toxicity of triple dye is rare. It can cause skin necrosis if it is inadvertently applied to the skin surrounding the umbilical stump. Prolonged use of gentian violet in adults may also cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and mucosal ulceration. It is reasonable to surmise that prolonged use of triple dye could cause the same adverse effects in neonates. When applying to the cord, inadvertent applications or leakage onto the abdominal wall should be avoided if possible and washed off if necessary.[28]..."

It's supplied in one of those glass ampoule inside a plastic thing you squeeze, it breaks, the solution gets on an aplicator, you "paint" it on the baby's cord. (I hope this image shows up, but may not).

It's usually a big mess. And there is some controversy that it might be toxic (other than killing the bacteria). It works well on Staph, not so good on gram negative bacteria.

Current "evidenced based practice" is dry cord care. No topicals to the cord @ all, keep it dry, educate parents on signs of oomphalitis. You'll still find places that use alcohol on cords, tho.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

I haven't seen triple dye in years . . . . .we still do the alcohol around the cord however, even though the practice is dry cord care.

steph

[cookie123]

Triple Dye (Triple dye is a combination of brilliant green (0.2%), proflavine hemisulfate (0.1%) and gentian violet (0.1%).

Expected therapeutic effect - prolonged antibacterial effect fungicidal but has weak virucidal activity and is not sporicidal.

Side Effects - necrotic skin reactions

Nursing implications - Do NOT use if possible IV in the umbilical cord is needed in neonate, not effective against group B haemolytic streptococcal, may increase cord separation time, colors the skin bright purple

Use in perinatal field - Controls Staphylococcal Infection No Contra-Indications Non-Irritating Non-Sensitizing

[daisydiva10]

Triple dye is listed on our newborn clinicals too! I will let ya know what we use after my rotation tomorrow! Thanks for all the info!