cantharidin

cantharidin

 [kan-thar´ĭ-din]

the most active principle of cantharides, the dried Spanish fly, Lytta vesicatoria; preparations containing cantharidin are used topically as a vesicant to remove warts and lesions of molluscum contagiosum.

can·thar·i·din

(kan-thar'i-din),

The active principle of cantharis; the anhydride of cantharic acid.

Synonym(s): cantharis camphor

cantharidin

(kăn-thăr′ĭ-dĭn)

n.

A toxic compound, C₁₀H₁₂O₄, that is found in blister beetles and is the active ingredient of Spanish fly.

The active component of Chinese fly and Cantharis—Spanish fly; it is highly irritating and causes vesicle formation; it has been used to treat warts and other skin lesions

cantharidin (kan·tharˑ··dn),

n bitter-tasting, crystalline substance that is the active principle of cantharides and is also found in the bodies of some species of beetles; causes blistering on skin and is lethal to some animals that consume dead bodies of beetles in hay.

cantharidin

the most active principle of cantharides with similar activity. Preparations containing cantharidin are used topically as a vesicant to remove warts and were popular at one time as rubefacients for horses.