07/24/2025
Look what just came through our doors!
We were recently gifted an old bottle of Mercurochrome, a once-common antiseptic that many of our patients might remember from childhood. It’s little treasures like this that remind us just how far medicine and pharmacy have come.
But what is Mercurochrome and why was it in almost every household medicine cabinet for decades?
Mercurochrome, also known as merbromin, was first developed in 1918 by Dr. Hugh H. Young at Johns Hopkins Hospital. It quickly gained popularity for its bright red stain and its use as a topical antiseptic for cuts, scrapes, and minor burns. Its appeal was simple: it was painless to apply and visibly marked the treated area, sometimes to the dismay of parents trying to keep clothes stain-free.
The name “Mercurochrome” comes from its ingredients: mercury (yes, that mercury) and chromium compounds, which gave it both its germ-fighting power and distinctive color.
For most of the 20th century, Mercurochrome was a staple in American homes, schools, and pharmacies. However, by the 1990s, concerns about mercury exposure led the FDA to pull its over-the-counter status in the U.S. While it’s still available in some countries, Mercurochrome has become more of a nostalgic artifact than a go-to remedy.
We love moments like this where history, science, and pharmacy intersect. If you’ve ever had your knee painted red with Mercurochrome as a kid, we’d love to hear your stories in the comments.
