Explore a selection of our essential drug information below, or:
Identification
- Generic Name
- Potassium alum
- DrugBank Accession Number
- DB09087
- Background
Potassium alum is considered by the FDA as a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) substance.9 It is an inorganic salt, also called potassium aluminum sulfate with a formula of AlK(SO4)2 that is predominantly produced in the dodecahydrate form (AlK(SO4)2 * 12H2O). Potassium alum is formed by large, transparent crystals that are used in different products like food or drugs as a buffer, neutralizing or forming agent.4
- Type
- Small Molecule
- Groups
- Approved
- Structure
Structure for Potassium alum (DB09087)
- Weight
- Average: 258.205
Monoisotopic: 257.848703658 - Chemical Formula
- AlKO8S2
- Synonyms
- Alum, potassium
- Aluminium potassium bis(sulphate)
- Aluminium potassium sulfate
- Aluminum potassium alum
- Aluminum potassium disulfate
- Aluminum potassium sulfate
- Aluminum potassium sulfate anhydrous
- Burnt potassium alum
- Potash alum
- Potassium aluminium sulfate
- Potassium aluminum disulfate
- External IDs
- E-522
- INS NO.522
- INS-522
Pharmacology
- Indication
Potassium alum is considered safe by the FDA and its use is in homepathic or OTC products. Due to its presence in several different drugs, the main indications for the use of potassium alum are:
-Constipation10 -Cosmetic or drug astringent, helping the shrinkage of tissues and the dry of secretions11 -Oral health care drug11 -Part of formulation in cleansing products, skin-care products, mosturizers, face powders and deodorants12 -Antiperspirant13 -Antifungal13
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The presence of potassium alum reduces swollen mucous membranes that result from inflammation of the nasal, gastrointestinal and urinary passages as well as in the presence of excessive secretions. The induction of the coagulation cascade will also stop bleeding.14
- Mechanism of action
The main functions of potassium alum in drugs are as an astringent, antiseptic or adjuvant agent. The astringent action is performed by the induction of coagulation in the superficial tissue layers until the formation of a crust. The formation of alum ions neutralize the charges on plasma proteins, causing the blood to coagulate. Similar effect is observed in disinfectants where these ions react with the free organic acid and thiol groups of proteins on microbes and free proteins, resulting in protein precipitation. This action will generate the contraction of the tissue and dry up secretions. Its adjuvant properties are mainly used in the production of vaccines where the presence of this chemical enhances the immune response.15
- Absorption
Potassium alum is found in its dodecahydrate form that produces a very large molecule. This large molecule cannot be absorbed through the skin when this substance is included as an astringent agent in topical OTC.5 If ingested, the aluminum salts are rapidly solubilized in the stomach and then they can generate aluminum hydroxide or poorly absorbed basic aluminum salts.6
- Volume of distribution
The distribution of aluminum salts in the body is influenced by increased concentrations of parathyroid hormone. It was shown, in preclinical studies, that oral administration of aluminum salts produces a distribution profile that forms deposits in kidneys, muscle, bone and gray matter.7
- Protein binding
In studies, it has been shown that aluminum and aluminum salts are highly bound to plasma proteins. From the reports, it was found that 70-90% is bound to plasma proteins of which 60-70% is related to high molecular weight proteins and 10-20% to albumin.1
- Metabolism
Potassium alum does not go through a metabolic pathway. When ingested or absorbed, it will get rapidly dissolved and it will form ions that will later generate other salt derivatives.
- Route of elimination
When potassium alum is absorbed, the kidney is responsible for the elimination of the major portion of the absorbed dose.2 From the excretion, 0.1-0.3% of the absorbed dose is eliminated via the urine.8
- Half-life
Studies performed with aluminum compounds have shown a half-life of 4.5 h when administered intravenously.8
- Clearance
Renal clearance of aluminum is approximately 5-10% of the excretion of urea or creatinine. The reduced clearance of aluminum compounds is due to the high protein binding.3
- Adverse Effects
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There is no evidence of potassium alum that demonstrates any suspicious for it to be a hazard for the consumers in the currently approved levels of use.9
- Pathways
- Not Available
- Pharmacogenomic Effects/ADRs
- Not Available
Interactions
- Drug Interactions
- This information should not be interpreted without the help of a healthcare provider. If you believe you are experiencing an interaction, contact a healthcare provider immediately. The absence of an interaction does not necessarily mean no interactions exist.
Drug Interaction Integrate drug-drug
interactions in your softwareAcebutolol Potassium alum may increase the hyperkalemic activities of Acebutolol. Aceclofenac Potassium alum may increase the hyperkalemic activities of Aceclofenac. Acemetacin Potassium alum may increase the hyperkalemic activities of Acemetacin. Acetylsalicylic acid Potassium alum may increase the hyperkalemic activities of Acetylsalicylic acid. Alclofenac Potassium alum may increase the hyperkalemic activities of Alclofenac. - Food Interactions
- Not Available
Products
Drug product information from 10+ global regionsOur datasets provide approved product information including:dosage, form, labeller, route of administration, and marketing period.Access drug product information from over 10 global regions.- Product Ingredients
Ingredient UNII CAS InChI Key Potassium alum dodecahydrate Not Available Not Available Not applicable - Brand Name Prescription Products
Name Dosage Strength Route Labeller Marketing Start Marketing End Region Image Gingibraid W Alum Pot Sulf 0a 0.25mg/2.5cm Packing 0.25 mg / 2.5 cm Dental Van R Dental Products Inc. 1981-12-31 2007-07-31 Canada 
Gingibraid W Alum Pot Sulf 1a 0.35mg/2.5cm Packing 0.35 mg / 2.5 cm Dental Van R Dental Products Inc. 1981-12-31 2007-07-31 Canada Gingibraid W Alum Pot Sulf 2a 0.65mg/2.5cm Packing 0.65 mg / 2.5 cm Dental Van R Dental Products Inc. 1981-12-31 2007-07-31 Canada Gingibraid W Alum Pot Sulf 3a 1.15mg/2.5cm Packing 1.15 mg / 2.5 cm Dental Van R Dental Products Inc. 1981-12-31 2007-07-31 Canada Gingiyarn W Alum Pot Sulf No1 0.45mg/2.5cm Packing .45 mg / 2.5 cm Dental Van R Dental Products Inc. 1981-12-31 2005-08-04 Canada - Over the Counter Products
Name Dosage Strength Route Labeller Marketing Start Marketing End Region Image Alum Powdered Powder Oral Dawson Traders Ltd. 1977-12-31 2006-03-22 Canada - Mixture Products
Name Ingredients Dosage Route Labeller Marketing Start Marketing End Region Image Blood Stop Liq Potassium alum (62.2 mg / mL) + Tannic acid (62.2 mg / mL) Liquid Topical Laboratoire Romilo 1979-12-31 1999-08-18 Canada Gingibraid W Alum Pot Sulf and Epin 0e Potassium alum (0.15 mg / 2.5 cm) + Racepinephrine hydrochloride (0.2 mg / 2.5 cm) Packing Dental Van R Dental Products Inc. 1981-12-31 2007-07-31 Canada Gingibraid W Epineph and Alum 1e Potassium alum (0.25 mg / 2.5 cm) + Racepinephrine hydrochloride (0.4 mg / 2.5 cm) Packing Dental Van R Dental Products Inc. 1981-12-31 2007-07-31 Canada Gingibraid W Epineph and Alum 2e Potassium alum (0.35 mg / 2.5 cm) + Racepinephrine hydrochloride (0.6 mg / 2.5 cm) Packing Dental Van R Dental Products Inc. 1981-12-31 2007-07-31 Canada Gingibraid W Epineph and Alum 3e Potassium alum (0.55 mg / 2.5 cm) + Racepinephrine hydrochloride (0.9 mg / 2.5 cm) Packing Dental Van R Dental Products Inc. 1981-12-31 2007-07-31 Canada
Categories
- Drug Categories
- Chemical TaxonomyProvided by Classyfire
- Description
- This compound belongs to the class of inorganic compounds known as post-transition metal sulfates. These are inorganic compounds in which the largest oxoanion is sulfate, and in which the heaviest atom not in an oxoanion is a post-transition metal.
- Kingdom
- Inorganic compounds
- Super Class
- Mixed metal/non-metal compounds
- Class
- Post-transition metal oxoanionic compounds
- Sub Class
- Post-transition metal sulfates
- Direct Parent
- Post-transition metal sulfates
- Alternative Parents
- Post-transition metal salts / Inorganic salts / Inorganic oxides
- Substituents
- Inorganic oxide / Inorganic post-transition metal salt / Inorganic salt / Post-transition metal sulfate
- Molecular Framework
- Not Available
- External Descriptors
- potassium salt, metal sulfate, aluminium salt (CHEBI:86463)
- Affected organisms
- Humans and other mammals
Chemical Identifiers
- UNII
- 09OXB01F3O
- CAS number
- 10043-67-1
- InChI Key
- GRLPQNLYRHEGIJ-UHFFFAOYSA-J
- InChI
- InChI=1S/Al.K.2H2O4S/c;;2*1-5(2,3)4/h;;2*(H2,1,2,3,4)/q+3;+1;;/p-4
- IUPAC Name
- aluminium(3+) potassium disulfate
- SMILES
- [Al+3].[K+].[O-]S([O-])(=O)=O.[O-]S([O-])(=O)=O
References
- General References
- Elliott HL, Macdougall AI: Aluminium studies in dialysis encephalopathy. Proc Eur Dial Transplant Assoc. 1978;15:157-63. [Article]
- Kovalchik MT, Kaehny WD, Hegg AP, Jackson JT, Alfrey AC: Aluminum kinetics during hemodialysis. J Lab Clin Med. 1978 Nov;92(5):712-20. [Article]
- Berlyne GM, Ben-Ari J, Pest D, Weinberger J, Stern M, Levine R, Gilmore GR: Hyperaluminaemia from aluminum resins in renal failure. Lancet. 1970 Sep 5;2(7671):494-6. [Article]
- Burdock G. (1997). Encyclopedia of food and color additives. CRC Press.
- Burke I. (2000). The nature of beauty . Ebury Press.
- McEvoy G., Miller J. and Litvak K. (1990). AHFS Drug information 90.. Bethesda.
- National research council (1981). Drinking water and health (4th ed.). National academy press.
- Ellenhorn M.J. and Barceloux D.G. (1988). Medical toxicology: diagnosis and treatment of human poisoning. Elsevier.
- FDA GRAS [Link]
- Homepathic label [Link]
- EWG's skin deep [Link]
- Cosmetics info [Link]
- FDA OTC ingredients [Link]
- Encyclopaedia Britannica [Link]
- What is alum? [Link]
- External Links
- MSDS
- Download (47.6 KB)
Clinical Trials
- Clinical Trials
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Pharmacoeconomics
- Manufacturers
- Not Available
- Packagers
- Not Available
- Dosage Forms
Form Route Strength Powder Oral Liquid Topical Packing Dental 0.25 mg / 2.5 cm Packing Dental 0.35 mg / 2.5 cm Packing Dental 0.65 mg / 2.5 cm Packing Dental 1.15 mg / 2.5 cm Packing Dental Packing Dental .45 mg / 2.5 cm Packing Dental .8 mg / 2.5 cm Packing Dental 1.35 mg / 2.5 cm Packing Dental .138 mg / cm Packing Dental .244 mg / cm Packing Dental .68 mg / cm - Prices
- Not Available
- Patents
- Not Available
Properties
- State
- Solid
- Experimental Properties
Property Value Source melting point (°C) 92.5 °C 'MSDS' boiling point (°C) 200 °C 'MSDS' water solubility 1 g/ 7.5 ml at 25ºC Burdock G. Encyclopedia of food and color additives. (1997). - Predicted Properties
Property Value Source logP -0.84 Chemaxon pKa (Strongest Acidic) -3 Chemaxon Physiological Charge -2 Chemaxon Hydrogen Acceptor Count 4 Chemaxon Hydrogen Donor Count 0 Chemaxon Polar Surface Area 80.26 Å2 Chemaxon Rotatable Bond Count 0 Chemaxon Refractivity 11.53 m3·mol-1 Chemaxon Polarizability 5.81 Å3 Chemaxon Number of Rings 0 Chemaxon Bioavailability 1 Chemaxon Rule of Five Yes Chemaxon Ghose Filter No Chemaxon Veber's Rule No Chemaxon MDDR-like Rule No Chemaxon - Predicted ADMET Features
- Not Available
Spectra
- Mass Spec (NIST)
- Not Available
- Spectra
- Not Available
- Chromatographic Properties
Collision Cross Sections (CCS)
Not Available
Carriers
- Kind
- Protein
- Organism
- Humans
- Pharmacological action
- Unknown
- Actions
- Binder
- General Function
- Binds water, Ca(2+), Na(+), K(+), fatty acids, hormones, bilirubin and drugs (Probable). Its main function is the regulation of the colloidal osmotic pressure of blood (Probable). Major zinc transporter in plasma, typically binds about 80% of all plasma zinc (PubMed:19021548). Major calcium and magnesium transporter in plasma, binds approximately 45% of circulating calcium and magnesium in plasma (By similarity). Potentially has more than two calcium-binding sites and might additionally bind calcium in a non-specific manner (By similarity). The shared binding site between zinc and calcium at residue Asp-273 suggests a crosstalk between zinc and calcium transport in the blood (By similarity). The rank order of affinity is zinc > calcium > magnesium (By similarity). Binds to the bacterial siderophore enterobactin and inhibits enterobactin-mediated iron uptake of E.coli from ferric transferrin, and may thereby limit the utilization of iron and growth of enteric bacteria such as E.coli (PubMed:6234017). Does not prevent iron uptake by the bacterial siderophore aerobactin (PubMed:6234017)
- Specific Function
- antioxidant activity
- Gene Name
- ALB
- Uniprot ID
- P02768
- Uniprot Name
- Albumin
- Molecular Weight
- 69365.94 Da
References
- Elliott HL, Macdougall AI: Aluminium studies in dialysis encephalopathy. Proc Eur Dial Transplant Assoc. 1978;15:157-63. [Article]
Drug created at September 15, 2015 20:19 / Updated at October 03, 2024 07:19