alum

alum

 [al´um]

a local astringent and styptic, prepared as an ammonium (ammonium a.) or potassium (potassium a.) compound; also used as an adjuvant in adsorbed vaccines and toxoids.

al·um

(al'ŭm),

A double sulfate of aluminum and of an alkaline earth element or ammonium; chemically, an alum is any one of the markedly astringent double salts formed by a combination of a sulfate of aluminum, iron, manganese, chromium, or gallium with a sulfate of lithium, sodium, potassium, ammonium, cesium, or rubidium; used locally as a styptic.

[L. alumen]

alum

/al·um/ (al´um)

1. a local astringent and styptic, prepared as an ammonium (ammonium a.) or potassium (potassium a.) compound; also used as an adjuvant in adsorbed vaccines and toxoids.

2. any member of a class of double sulfates formed on this type.

alum

(ăl′əm)

n.

Any of various double sulfates of a trivalent metal such as aluminum, chromium, or iron and a univalent metal such as potassium or sodium, especially hydrous aluminum potassium sulfate, AlK(SO₄)₂·12H₂O, widely used in industry as clarifiers, hardeners, and purifiers and medicinally as topical astringents and styptics.

alum

[al′əm]

Etymology: L, alumen

a topical astringent, used primarily in lotions and douches.

al·um

(al'ŭm)

Agent used locally as a styptic.

[L. alumen]

alum

any of several substances, including potassium alum, aluminum alum, ammonium alum, potash alum and aluminum potassium sulfate, with strong astringent properties. May be used as a styptic or hemostatic and as a topical antimycotic agent. It also may be given by mouth to induce vomiting. Large doses may cause gastrointestinal disturbances.