ABSTRACT
Endotoxin is a powerful biological response modifier that can elicit a wide range of effects, including fever, shock, and death. Endotoxin contamination of parenteral medications is of particular concern because these products are administered directly into the body, bypassing the protective barriers of the skin and the intestinal wall. Consequently, endotoxin contamination of parenteral medications must be strictly controlled to prevent harmful effects upon recipients of the products. By contrast, endotoxin contamination of topical and orally administered therapies is generally not a concern because of the effectiveness of the skin and intestine wall in preventing the entry of endotoxin into the blood and other tissues.
