Gentian Violet

Mechanism-of-action class: Unknown Cellular or Molecular Interaction.

• Uses For external treatment of abrasions and minor cuts.

Directions Clean the affected area and apply directly to the wound or use a cotton applicator once or twice daily. Do not bandage.

For external treatment of abrasions and minor cuts Do not Do not apply to an ulcerative lesions as this may cause tattooing of the skin. Do not use in eyes Stop use and ask a doctor if redness, irritation, swelling, or pain persists or increases or if infection occurs. Keep out of reach of children. In case of ingestion, seek medical help or contact Poison Control Center immediately.

1. 1Drug Ineffective1224%
2. 2Off Label Use816%
3. 3Condition Aggravated714%
4. 4Therapeutic Product Effect Incomplete612%
5. 5Treatment Failure612%
6. 6Arthralgia59.8%
7. 7Arthropathy47.8%
8. 8Drug Hypersensitivity47.8%
9. 9Drug Resistance47.8%
10. 10Hallucination47.8%
11. 11Intentional Product Use Issue47.8%
12. 12Pathogen Resistance47.8%
13. 13Weight Decreased47.8%
14. 14Back Pain35.9%
15. 15Drug Intolerance35.9%

Recent PubMed references pinned to Gentian Violet as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

• Incorporation of mesoporosity and magnetization into chitosan-alginate matrix using cobalt ferrite spinel for confiscation of noxious dye: A hierarchical approach.
  International journal of biological macromolecules · 2026 · Upadhyay N, Bhonsale V, Rathi T, et al.
  PMID 42061532DOI 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.152277
• Gram staining decipherment using an artificial intelligence-powered smartphone-based application.
  Microbiology spectrum · 2026 · Yamamoto K, Ohji G, Miyatsuka I, et al.
  PMID 42041260DOI 10.1128/spectrum.03076-25
• Mechanistic insights into methyl violet dye degradation using fish bone-derived hydroxyapatite: LC-MS/MS identification and computational analysis.
  Journal of environmental management · 2026 · Islam F, Islam MA, Jahan F, et al.
  PMID 41965995DOI 10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.129526
• Biosourced Paeonia tenuifolia L. petal-adsorbent for Pb(2+) and methyl violet dye removal: kinetical, isothermal and reusability assays.
  Journal of environmental management · 2026 · Jovanović A, Dimitrijević J, Čutović N, et al.
  PMID 41946061DOI 10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.129601
• Characterization of Gram stainability of Gram-variable Gardnerella spp. using the UF-1500 Fully Automated Urine Particle Analyzer.
  Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease · 2026 · Kaido M, Arai S, Katayama Y, et al.
  PMID 41931964DOI 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117395
• Digital holographic microscopy: use of artificial intelligence to enable rapid blood culture Gram stain digitization and interpretation.
  Journal of clinical microbiology · 2026 · Smith KP, Boulanger E, Elkan M, et al.
  PMID 41910323DOI 10.1128/jcm.01627-25
• Eco-Friendly Crystal Violet Dye Adsorption Using Natural Date Stem Powder: Mechanism, Kinetics, and Thermodynamics.
  Chemistry & biodiversity · 2026 · Djebabra S, Fettah H, Boutamine Z, et al.
  PMID 41817043DOI 10.1002/cbdv.202503610
• Artificial intelligence-based gram stain classification: Accuracy and clinical utility in positive blood cultures.
  Journal of infection and chemotherapy : official journal of the Japan Society of Chemotherapy · 2026 · Tokano M, Kodana M, Tarumoto N, et al.
  PMID 41794133DOI 10.1016/j.jiac.2026.102945

The 8 most recently updated of 8 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Gentian Violet as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.

• Antibiofilm Activity of Chitosan Nanoparticles Against Uropathogenic Escherichia Coli
  Not yet recruiting · Observational · 60 enrolled · Assiut University
  NCT07482553updated 2026-03-27
• Hidradenitis Suppurativa Wound Care
  Completed · Phase 2 · Interventional · 5 enrolled · Wake Forest University Health Sciences
  NCT04354012updated 2025-10-22
• Gentian Violet Treatment for Hidradenitis Suppurativa
  Withdrawn · Phase 2 · Interventional · 0 enrolled · Wake Forest University Health Sciences
  NCT04388163updated 2025-09-04
• Accuracy for Predicting Deep Submucosal Invasion
  Completed · Observational · 426 enrolled · Althaia Xarxa Assistencial Universitària de Manresa
  NCT03748667updated 2023-09-21
• Antibacterial and Anti-biofilm Activity of Frankincense Extract Against Porphyromonas Gingivalis
  Completed · Phase 1 · Interventional · 30 enrolled · Tanta University
  NCT04705714updated 2021-07-22
• Investigation of Bacterial Adhesion and Bactericide Effect ex Vivo on Different Implant Restoration Materials
  Completed · Interventional · 16 enrolled · University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
  NCT04657757updated 2020-12-08
• Gentian Violet Vs. Nystatin Oral Suspension for Treatment of Oropharyngeal Candidiasis
  Completed · Phase 3 · Interventional · 221 enrolled · Advancing Clinical Therapeutics Globally for HIV/AIDS and Other Infections
  NCT01427738updated 2015-02-16
• A Comparison of Gentian Violet (GV) Mouth Washes, Nystatin, and Ketoconazole Tabs in Treating Oropharyngeal Candidiasis
  Completed · Phase 3 · Interventional · 558 enrolled · Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
  NCT00128323updated 2008-02-11

Frequently asked questions

How does Gentian Violet work?

Mechanism-of-action class: Unknown Cellular or Molecular Interaction.

What is Gentian Violet used for?

According to FDA labeling, Gentian Violet carries indications including: Uses For external treatment of abrasions and minor cuts.. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.

What class of drug is Gentian Violet?

Gentian Violet is classified as Unknown Cellular or Molecular Interaction, Unknown Physiological Effect.

What are the brand names for Gentian Violet?

Gentian Violet is marketed under brand names including Blu-Kote, Pad Kote.