ammonia solution

Ammonia solution, also known as ammonium hydroxide or aqueous ammonia, is a solution of ammonia gas in water. It is widely used in medicine as a reflex respiratory stimulant to prevent or treat syncope (fainting) and as a topical antipruritic and counterirritant to alleviate itching and pain from insect bites and stings. When inhaled, the pungent vapor of ammonia irritates the sensory endings of the trigeminal nerve in the upper respiratory tract, reflexively stimulating the respiratory center in the brain to restore consciousness and breathing. When applied topically, it exerts a mild neutralizing, antiseptic, and counterirritant effect on the skin. In pharmaceutical manufacturing, it is also utilized as a pH adjuster and chemical reagent.

Other names

ammonia waterammonium hydroxideaqueous ammoniaconcentrated ammonia solutiondilute ammonia solutionspirit of hartshorn浓氨溶液