What does it do? Silver, like mercury, was used as a medicine in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Its prime application was as a topical antiseptic. Use of silver, in the form of silver nitrate solution, is still required by law in most states to be used in newborns as a topical eye drop to prevent eye infections.

In the early 1990s colloidal silver began appearing in the marketplace as a “nutritional supplement.” “Colloidal” describes the fact the silver is suspended in water. Although tremendous claims and testimonials have been made for colloidal silver, almost none of these are documented with scientific research. Silver is an effective antimicrobial agent; however, the effective concentrations required for any sort of systemic effect with colloidal silver are not likely to be obtained safely with oral administration.¹ Yet, colloidal silver is promoted by certain distributors as an alternative to antibiotics and as treatment for almost every infectious disease.

In response to the growing popularity and unsubstantiated claims, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Final Rule on August 17, 1999, stating that all over-the-counter (OTC) products containing colloidal silver or silver salts are not recognized as safe and effective.² Colloidal silver products are classified by the FDA as misbranded because adequate directions cannot be written so the general public can use these drugs safely for their intended purposes. The products are also misbranded when their labeling falsely suggests there is substantial scientific evidence to establish the drugs are safe and effective for their intended uses. According to the Final Rule, a colloidal silver product for any drug use will first have to be approved by the FDA under drug application procedures.

Despite this Final Ruling from the FDA, colloidal silver will likely continue to be sold as a trace mineral supplement without medical claims or claims of specific benefits, even though its need in human nutrition is unsubstantiated.