PALS

Quick links to important sections

PALS

Treatment option:

Medically reviewed

Laura Arias

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of PALS

Property Description
Active ingredient Chlorophyllin Copper Complex Sodium
Form Oral Tablet, Oral Capsule, Oral Liquid
Pharmacological class Internal Deodorant / Gastrointestinal Deodorant
Common use Systemic odor control (urine, feces)
Origin Semi-synthetic derivative of natural chlorophyll

PALS: Definition and Pharmacological Classification

PALS is an oral pharmaceutical preparation that acts as a systemic agent for the management of body and waste odors, formally classified as an Internal Deodorant or Gastrointestinal Deodorant. The preparation contains Chlorophyllin, typically in the form of Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin, as its single active ingredient. Chlorophyllin copper complex has an over-the-counter status as an internal deodorant. This pharmaceutical classification emphasizes that the product's primary function is to achieve systemic odor reduction and management originating from internal sources.

Composition, Origin, and Available Forms

The active substance, Chlorophyllin Copper Complex Sodium, is a semi-synthetic derivative synthesized from natural chlorophyll, the pigment extracted from green plant material. This preparation's distinctive factor lies in its chemical modification: unlike the original oil-soluble chlorophyll, the process involves replacing the central magnesium atom with Copper, yielding a stable, water-soluble compound. This water-soluble structure is necessary for effective systemic action following oral administration in its high-level dosage form(s), which include tablets, capsules, and liquid preparations.

General Purpose: What Does PALS Help Achieve?

The general purpose of PALS is to provide discreet, systemic odor control by addressing volatile odor compounds produced within the body. This is achieved through the Chlorophyllin molecule's ability to act as a binding agent within the digestive system, interacting with and neutralizing odor-producing substances. Chlorophyllin is used for the control of certain bodily odors, which is the basis for its therapeutic use. Additionally, this compound exhibits antioxidant properties, meaning that beyond its main odor-neutralizing role, the substance also possesses the beneficial secondary effect of helping to manage free radicals.

What side effects are possible with PALS?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile for PALS (Chlorophyllin Copper Complex Sodium) is primarily defined by expected physiological changes related to its colorant properties and presence in the gastrointestinal tract, as documented in government regulatory sources such as the U.S. FDA's monograph for internal deodorant drug products.


Documented Adverse Reactions

The most commonly noted effects are non-serious and involve waste output, as the compound itself is highly pigmented. Regulatory documents do not typically assign formal frequency classifications (e.g., 'common,' 'uncommon') to these effects in the over-the-counter setting, but they are noted as possible consequences of use.

System-Organ Class Expected Effect
Gastrointestinal & Renal/Urinary Green or green-black discoloration of urine and feces
Gastrointestinal Mild diarrhea

No specific serious adverse reactions are explicitly documented or classified in the primary regulatory monographs governing the use of Chlorophyllin Copper Complex as an internal deodorant.


Safety Constraints and Population Notes

The official labeling includes specific restrictions related to diagnostic testing and patient populations:

  • Laboratory Testing Interference: The active ingredient may cause a false positive result when used with certain diagnostic procedures, specifically the stool guaiac test for occult blood. This is a crucial safety constraint affecting diagnostic accuracy.

  • Population-Specific Limitations: Official guidance requires consultation with a health professional for use in children under 12 years of age, and by individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

  • Duration of Use Constraint: Regulatory texts specify that self-treatment must be discontinued and professional advice sought if the targeted odor persists, establishing a limitation on the duration of unsupported self-medication.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help

Official regulatory information describes overdose as a life-threatening medical emergency primarily associated with severe respiratory and central nervous system depression. Recognizing the clinical manifestations and seeking immediate emergency assistance is paramount.

Overdose Manifestations Physiological Systems Affected
Unconsciousness or inability to awaken Central Nervous System
Slow, weak, or absent breathing Respiratory System
Pinpoint pupils, slow heartbeat Nervous/Cardiovascular
Limp body, pale/clammy skin General/Circulatory

Emergency Response and Risks

When a suspected overdose occurs, emergency medical assistance must be sought immediately by calling 911 or an emergency service. Symptoms such as slowed breathing or unresponsiveness require urgent intervention to prevent complications like anoxia (lack of oxygen) and subsequent brain damage or death.

Overdose risk factors specifically noted in regulatory documents include exposure to high potency opioids or large quantities of a substance. Pediatric patients are noted to be at high risk for serious illness, including death, even from small, accidental ingestions.

Need for Continued Surveillance:

Due to the potential for recurrence, the patient must be kept under continuous surveillance until emergency medical personnel arrive. This surveillance is necessary because the effects of the primary overdose may return even after initial symptoms improve, leading to a relapse of respiratory and/or central nervous system depression.

Therapeutic Uses of PALS

What PALS Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

PALS (Chlorophyllin Copper Complex Sodium) is applied across domains where additional symptomatic support is needed and may assist with managing the distress associated with chronic, internally-generated bodily odors. Chlorophyllin Copper Complex Sodium is formally categorized as a Deodorant Drug Product for Internal Use. This classification generally aligns with conditions presenting with systemic or localized discomfort and is relevant for easing odors associated with a colostomy or ileostomy, and fecal odor due to incontinence.


Primary Therapeutic Scope

The medication is commonly used to help address symptom clusters that may become intense or disruptive in conditions presenting with systemic or localized discomfort. Its use is considered relevant in areas where additional symptomatic support is needed, specifically helping to address symptoms related to odor management for colostomies and ileostomies, easing odors related to fecal and urinary incontinence, and assisting with malodorous flatus. This approach is relevant when supportive symptom management is appropriate, particularly in chronic care settings. This supportive relief may assist with maintaining functional stability when symptoms are more noticeable.

Supportive Relief and Comfort

The internal deodorizing approach generally supports patients during difficult episodes and may assist with managing distress and maintaining functional stability. This contributes to improved comfort during periods of heightened symptoms and supports general well-being during symptomatic phases.

Quick Fact: Relief for Odor-Related Distress
PALS is commonly used in conditions where symptoms that interfere with daily functioning, such as persistent bodily odors, necessitate supportive management for comfort.

Regulatory References

  1. FDA regulatory information

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Official Eligibility for PALS Use

PALS (Chlorophyllin Copper Complex Sodium) is regulated as an internal deodorant, and its use is strictly defined by mandatory government labeling regarding patient population. The official eligibility profile focuses on age and symptomatic status, with few absolute exclusions.

Eligibility Status Defined Populations
Approved for Standard Use Adults and children 12 years of age and over
Restricted Use Children under 12 years of age

Standard over-the-counter use is approved for individuals 12 years and older. Use in children under this age is restricted by regulatory instruction, which mandates that a doctor must be consulted before administration.

The official labeling does not specify any absolute contraindications (groups who must not use the medicine). No explicit prohibitions are documented regarding populations with major co-existing conditions, such as hepatic or severe renal impairment. Furthermore, the mandatory regulatory monograph is silent on whether use is allowed, restricted, or not recommended during pregnancy or lactation.

The official label also sets a condition for continued use: if an individual experiences persistent acute symptoms, such as cramps or diarrhea, they are required to consult a healthcare provider. This establishes a required restriction for continued eligibility based on symptomatic status.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

The official regulatory profile for PALS (Chlorophyllin Copper Complex Sodium), an Over-the-Counter (OTC) Internal Deodorant, is compiled strictly from government regulatory documentation. The profile is notable for its focused pharmacodynamic risk and the absence of detailed pharmacokinetic restrictions.

Interaction Scope

Category Official Interaction Information
Medicinal product categories with documented interactions: Photosensitizing Drugs (agents that increase skin sensitivity to light).
Specific interacting medicines (if explicitly listed): Not specified by individual substance name; classified by pharmacological effect.
Mechanistic basis of interactions (only if stated in label): Pharmacodynamic interaction (potential for additive phototoxic effect).
Timing-based interaction rules (if applicable): None documented in official regulatory prescribing information.
Population-specific interaction notes (if applicable): None documented in official regulatory prescribing information.
Interaction-related restrictions: No explicit "contraindicated combinations" are labeled in the regulatory documents found for this OTC drug.

Interaction Classifications (High-Level)

Category Regulatory Status
Interaction severity classification: Classified as a Potential Additive Risk interaction due to the enhanced possibility of phototoxicity.
Regulatory basis: Based on the FDA Over-the-Counter Monograph and associated authoritative public health information.
Interaction-context constraints: The interaction is relevant when co-administration occurs and the individual is exposed to sunlight.

Resulting Interaction Structure

Official interaction statements:

  • Co-administration with medicinal products classified as Photosensitizing Drugs may result in an additive phototoxic effect.
  • The additive phototoxic effect potentially increases the risk of adverse skin reactions following exposure to sunlight.
  • No specific requirements for the separation of administration based on time are documented in the regulatory prescribing information.

Connection to the overall interaction profile: The regulatory documents define the product's interaction structure primarily through a single pharmacodynamic constraint, identifying a product class with an additive adverse risk. This framework is notable for its absence of documented pharmacokinetic interactions, such as those mediated by CYP enzymes or drug transporters, which are typically found in prescription drug labels. The profile mandates an awareness of this singular additive risk but does not impose specific timing restrictions or formal drug-drug contraindications.

Mechanism of Action

‏️Intraluminal Binding and Precursor Sequestration

The primary action of the molecule is a physical, peripheral binding mechanism. Within the gastrointestinal lumen, the copper-stabilized porphyrin ring actively sequesters malodorous volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as skatoles and indoles, which are microbial fermentation byproducts. This non-absorbable molecular complex formation prevents these precursors from entering the body.


‏️Interruption of Entero-Systemic Absorption

By binding precursors in the gut, the drug modulates the entero-systemic absorption pathway, preventing the molecules from crossing the intestinal barrier into the portal circulation. This key pathway interruption lowers the systemic concentration of the volatile metabolites, resulting in a decreased quantity of compounds available for systemic emission through excretory routes.


‏️Secondary Redox Activity and Kinetic Constraint

A secondary mechanism involves systemic redox modulation, where the partially absorbed compound functions as an electron donor, altering the concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Critically, this mechanism is subject to a kinetic constraint because it relies on the physical clearance of complexes via GI transit, leading to a physiological effect that manifests over multiple days due to the requirement for physical clearance, rather than immediate biochemical signaling.

Dosage and Administration Information

PALS (Chlorophyllin Copper Complex Sodium) is administered solely via the oral route through its available dosage forms, which include tablets, capsules, and liquid preparations. This administration pathway is consistent with the medicine's designation as a systemic agent. The core principle of administration is adherence to the officially established quantitative limits.

The maximum allowable daily dose for the active ingredient is strictly defined for adult use. The standard limit for the total amount of the compound ingested within a 24-hour period is 300 milligrams. This established ceiling governs the administration schedule.

The full daily dosage is intended for divided use, meaning it is typically taken in smaller, multiple administrations throughout the day rather than as a single dose. A common procedural instruction is to take the preparation before meals, which is noted to assist with absorption of the compound. Preparation requirements depend on the specific form: solid forms must be taken with water, while liquid preparations usually require dilution or mixing with water or juice prior to ingestion.

The procedural structure of using PALS involves a commitment to a continuous administration pattern. Usage notes indicate that a period of several days may be necessary before the compound reaches its full, observable effect. Therefore, sustained, scheduled administration according to the divided daily dose is the defining high-level principle for its proper use.

Recent Clinical Evidence

PALS: Recent Clinical Evidence

Overview of Clinical Trials

Clinical research has focused on the use of PALS as a treatment for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults. These investigations, primarily multi-center, randomized, placebo-controlled trials, evaluated the compound's effect on disease severity and other patient outcomes.

Research was conducted to assess the association between treatment with the compound and observed changes in skin inflammation and the severity and extent of psoriatic lesions. The primary studies assessed outcomes including the time to achieving symptom improvement and the duration of the observed response.


Key Study Findings

Efficacy and Response Rates

Efficacy was primarily measured by the proportion of patients achieving at least a 75% improvement from baseline in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75) score. In the pivotal trials, a difference was observed in the percentage of participants achieving a PASI 75 response when comparing the compound to placebo at the pre-specified time point of Week 16.

Research also assessed the durability of the observed response over an extended period, such as 52 weeks, and evaluated the frequency of disease flares among participants. Further endpoints included assessments of the impact on quality of life and clearance of specific affected areas like the scalp and nails.

Safety Profile

The safety profile of the compound was evaluated and documented across the clinical trials. The compound's use was studied only in the context of adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Study designs included comparative research examining outcomes between the compound and certain other available treatments; however, data remains limited on long-term comparative effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about PALS (FAQ)

Q: Can I take PALS with my meals?

Official administration instructions commonly state that PALS should be taken before meals to help with compound absorption in the body. The regulatory labeling does not explicitly address whether taking the preparation alongside a meal is acceptable or if it impacts how well the product works.


Q: Can I take PALS if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

Official regulatory guidance states that a health professional should be consulted before use if the individual is pregnant or breastfeeding. This restriction ensures that any use during these periods occurs with professional oversight.


Q: Can PALS interfere with medical tests?

Official safety information notes that PALS may cause a false positive result with certain diagnostic procedures, specifically the stool guaiac test used to check for occult (hidden) blood. No other common laboratory test interferences are explicitly documented in the regulatory monograph for this product.


Q: What happens if I miss a dose of PALS?

When taking a medication with divided daily dosing, such as PALS, general Over-the-Counter (OTC) product labeling advises against taking an extra dose to make up for a missed one. The general recommendation is to return to the regular administration schedule.


Q: Is PALS used for underarm/perspiration odor?

The official regulatory classification for PALS is as an internal deodorant for systemic odor control, typically addressing odors from internal sources like the digestive or urinary system. The regulatory monograph does not list perspiration or underarm odor as an approved use for this product.


Q: How should I dispose of unused PALS?

Unused or expired product should not be disposed of by flushing it down a toilet or pouring it down a sink. Disposal should adhere to standard FDA guidelines for non-flushable household disposal or by utilizing an available drug take-back program in your area.

How should PALS be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Chlorophyllin Copper Complex Sodium (PALS)

Official regulatory guidelines define specific conditions for storing and disposing of this product to maintain its stability and integrity.

Storage Requirements

The medicine must be stored at controlled room temperature (20 C to 25 C or 68 F to 77 F). The product must be protected from both light and excessive moisture to prevent degradation. To ensure stability, PALS should be kept in its original container with the cap tightly closed when not in use.

Handling and Child Safety

Storage must remain within the permitted temperature range, with protection from extreme cold or heat. As a required measure for safety, the product must be stored securely out of the sight and reach of children.

Disposal Instructions

Unused or expired product should not be flushed down a toilet or poured down a sink. Disposal should follow the standard FDA guidelines for non-flushable household disposal or utilize an available drug take-back program.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

Available in countries:

Equivalent of PALS found in:

A-Z Index: