Aplastic anemia associated with canthaxanthin ingested for 'tanning' purposes
- PMID: 2117075
Aplastic anemia associated with canthaxanthin ingested for 'tanning' purposes
Abstract
Aplastic anemia with a fatal outcome occurred in a previously healthy young woman after ingesting canthaxanthin taken for the purpose of skin "tanning" and provided to her by a commercial tanning salon. Canthaxanthin is a synthetic, non-provitamin A carotenoid that is highly lipid-soluble; it colors the skin by deposition in the epidermis and subcutaneous fat. It is readily available through commercial tanning salons and mail advertisements, but despite advertising claims that it is harmless, investigation regarding the safety of oral doses of canthaxanthin in humans has not been conducted. It is not approved as a prescription or an over-the-counter preparation by the Food and Drug Administration. The drug's present means of distribution makes monitoring for toxic effects difficult. Thus, the frequency of adverse effects associated with canthaxanthin use, such as bone marrow suppression, is unknown. Even if there is only a small risk of these toxic effects, the use of the drug for cosmetic purposes does not justify this risk.
Similar articles
-
Interactions between canthaxanthin and lipid membranes--possible mechanisms of canthaxanthin toxicity.Cell Mol Biol Lett. 2009;14(3):395-410. doi: 10.2478/s11658-009-0010-8. Epub 2009 Feb 12. Cell Mol Biol Lett. 2009. PMID: 19214394 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Plasma discolouration due to sun-tanning aids.Vox Sang. 1984;46(3):180-2. doi: 10.1111/j.1423-0410.1984.tb00072.x. Vox Sang. 1984. PMID: 6424333
-
[Canthaxanthine retinopathy: 1. Clinical study in 51 consumers].Can J Ophthalmol. 1983 Dec;18(7):325-8. Can J Ophthalmol. 1983. PMID: 6423246 French.
-
Canthaxanthin.Int J Dermatol. 1985 Oct;24(8):528-32. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-4362.1985.tb05839.x. Int J Dermatol. 1985. PMID: 3934089
-
Canthaxanthin: From molecule to function.Mol Nutr Food Res. 2017 Jun;61(6). doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201600469. Epub 2016 Nov 15. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2017. PMID: 27687695 Review.
Cited by 4 articles
-
A review of common tanning methods.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015 Feb;8(2):43-7. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015. PMID: 25741402 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Canthaxanthin retinopathy with visual loss: a case report and review.Case Rep Ophthalmol Med. 2013;2013:140901. doi: 10.1155/2013/140901. Epub 2013 Oct 30. Case Rep Ophthalmol Med. 2013. PMID: 24288637 Free PMC article.
-
Yellow corneal ring associated with vitamin supplementation for age-related macular degeneration.Ophthalmology. 2012 May;119(5):1011-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2011.10.032. Epub 2012 Feb 11. Ophthalmology. 2012. PMID: 22330962 Free PMC article.
-
Interactions between canthaxanthin and lipid membranes--possible mechanisms of canthaxanthin toxicity.Cell Mol Biol Lett. 2009;14(3):395-410. doi: 10.2478/s11658-009-0010-8. Epub 2009 Feb 12. Cell Mol Biol Lett. 2009. PMID: 19214394 Free PMC article. Review.
Publication types
MeSH terms
Substances
Grant support
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Other Literature Sources
Medical