Latin, Acidum Tannicum (Gen., Acidi Tannici)

Eng., Tannic Acid. Synonyms, Tannin, Gallotannic Acid. Formula, HC14H909. A tannin usually obtained from nutgalls.

Form

A yellowish-white to light-brown powder.

Odor And Taste

Almost odorless and a strong astringent taste.

Solubility

Very soluble in water, alcohol or glycerin.

Lncompatibles

Salts of antimony, copper, iron, lead, mercury and silver; chlorates, permanganates and other oxidizers; alkaloids, spirit of nitrous ether, lime-water, albumin, etc.

Average Dose

8 grains (0.5 Gm.).

Official Preparations.

Glyceritum Acidi Tannici (Gen., Glyceriti Acidi Tannici)

Eng., Glycerite of Tannic Acid. A thick, heavy liquid containing 20 per cent. of Tannic Acid dissolved in Glycerin.

Average Dose

30 minims (2 mils).

Trochisci Acidi Tannici (Gen., Trochiscorum Acidi Tannici)

Eng., Troches of Tannic Acid. Each troche contains about 1 grain of Tannic Acid.

Unguentum Acidi Tannici (Gen., Unguenti Acidi Tannici)

Eng., Ointment of Tannic Acid. An ointment containing 20 per cent. of Tannic Acid.

Therapeutic Action

Astringent and styptic.

Uses

Used as a local application in tonsillitis, pharyngitis, etc.; also to arrest bleeding from nasal, gastric or other mucous membrane. Frequently employed as such or more commonly as a tannate in the treatment of diarrhea or dysentery. Used as such or in the form of catechu, tea, etc., as an antidote for poisoning with alkaloids, tartar emetic, etc.

Administration

Internally. Tannic Acid is seldom prescribed as such, but agents containing it are employed, as tincture of kino, tincture of catechu, etc. Locally it is used in dusting powders, ointments, solutions and suppositories.

Some formulae are illustrated in the following:

In the treatment of salivation:

M.

Sig

Use as a mouth-wash every two hours.

As an application in the treatment of tonsillitis, pharyngitis, etc.:

M.

Sig

Apply twice daily.

It is sometimes prescribed in suppositories, as in the following for hemorrhoids:

M. ft. suppos. no. vj.

Sig

Use one night and morning.

In enemas it is sometimes employed, as in the following for dysentery:

M.

Sig

Use a heaping teaspoonful in quart of hot water as enema.

1 White and Martin: Genito-urinary and Venereal Diseases.

As an antidote in alkaloidal or tartar-emetic poisoning, where tannic acid as such cannot be obtained, strong tea, tincture of catechu, tincture of kino, etc., may be used.