Tag: Beetlejuice

Used for over 2,000 years in traditional medicine and associated with dangerous folk practices, cantharidin is a powerful chemical with a long history. Today, when correctly applied by a medical professional, it is a safe and effective topical treatment for common dermatological conditions. For many, a more familiar moniker is used, and the answer to *what is the common name for cantharidin?* is not a simple one, encompassing a colorful past and a clinical present.

Cantharidin, a potent blistering agent derived from blister beetles, has been used medicinally for over 2,000 years. While often used interchangeably in discussion, it's vital to understand the difference between the active ingredient cantharidin and the brand-name product Cantharone, which was historically used to deliver it.

Cantharidin, a potent medication, has been used in medicine for over 2,000 years, and its nickname, **Beetlejuice**, comes from its insect-based origin. The topical treatment is derived from the defense secretions of blister beetles, which have a long and complex history in both folk medicine and modern dermatology.