What are the Side Effects of Mesosilver?

Advertised as a "true colloidal silver," mesosilver is a liquid dietary supplement. Despite the fact that the official website for mesosilver reports that "no adverse side effects have ever been reported," the active ingredient of the supplement, colloidal silver, does pose a risk for adverse reactions.

Significance

• Based on the properties of colloidal silver, the Therapeutic Research Faculty deems that mesosilver is most likely unsafe for use as a dietary supplement.

Side Effects

• The most common side effect of colloidal silver is a permanent bluish discoloration of the skin, which is typically first noticed on the gums. Colloidal silver also increases levels of melanin in your body, which can cause dark spots to form on your skin when it is exposed to the sun.

Drug Interactions

• Colloidal silver reduces the effectiveness of thyroid drugs such as levothyroxine (marketed as Levoxyl and Synthroid) and the rheumatoid-arthritis medication penicillamine (marketed as Cuprimine and Depen), making mesosilver likely to cause a recurrence in symptoms of thyroid deficiency or arthritis, respectively, when taken in combination with each drug. There is also evidence that mesosilver interferes with the proper absorption and action of various antibiotics.

Risks

• With continuous use of colloidal silver, levels of silver metal can accumulate in your liver, spleen, kidneys, muscles and brain, according to RxList. The long-term effects of silver deposits in the organs is unknown.

Considerations

• Because it contains the potentially harmful ingredient colloidal silver, talk to your doctor before taking mesosilver, especially if you are pregnant or nursing.