Antiseptic drugs are widely used in medicine and in everyday life. Each housewife has in her home medicine cabinet at least one antiseptic, which is used as intended for children and adults. One of the most famous drugs of this category is iodine. It was also used by our mothers and grandmothers, because for many years he managed to prove his effectiveness and safety. However, today there are a number of medicines created on the basis of iodine, but much more effective and having the widest possible range of applications.
If you are looking for such a drug, then discover Betadine. Reviews of women who use it, and medical workers who know firsthand about this drug, in most cases are positive. Many people use Betadine in various forms, depending on existing problems and diseases requiring the use of an antiseptic. Today we will talk about the capabilities and features of this drug, instructions for use and reviews of "Betadine" we will also provide in this article.
Brief characteristics of the drug
Judging by the reviews of Betadine, it is most widely used in gynecological practice. Moreover, this antiseptic is suitable for home use according to the recommendations of the attending physician and in cases of surgical intervention. For many patients, this characteristic is the most important, because it indicates the safety of the drug .
Betadine (a large number of doctors' reviews are posted on the Internet) has been produced by a Hungarian company for quite some time now. The pharmacists who developed it were able to combine all the positive characteristics of iodine, but at the same time remove its irritating effect on the mucous membranes of the body. This allowed the use of Betadine solution and suppositories in gynecology. Reviews about its similar purpose can be found much more than in another field of medicine.
Doctors themselves believe that the drug has all the characteristics necessary for a modern antiseptic. If you refer to the reviews of doctors, Betadine is active against a large number of pathogenic microorganisms, there is practically no resistance to its action, it has a wide list of indications for use and the speed of the reaction. For example, a few minutes after applying the ointment, the drug begins to act. Sometimes this period does not exceed two to three minutes.
Often noted in reviews - "Betadine" in the first trimester of pregnancy does not adversely affect the mother and the unborn baby. Therefore, doctors quite often prescribe it when detecting various vaginal infections that require the use of an antiseptic.
Today, most experts consider Betadine (drug reviews confirm this fact) as a standard antiseptic. This definition is promoted not only by its main characteristics, but also by relative safety, as well as a minimal amount of side effects. You can learn about all these nuances from the instructions for use and reviews about Betadine (suppositories, solution and ointment), and we will definitely mention this in the next sections of the article.
Forms of drug release
Initially, the antiseptic was available in three versions, in any form of release it can be purchased in Russian pharmacies. Each has its own purpose and is suitable in different situations. If you plan to purchase the drug in your home medicine cabinet, be sure to consult a specialist, which option is right for you:
- Betadine solution (reviews of this tool inform that it is often used in medical institutions). A ten percent solution is packaged in plastic bottles, usually they are green. When buying, you can choose any of three volume options: thirty, one hundred twenty and one thousand milliliters of the drug. The solution itself is a homogeneous liquid without sediment, resembling iodine in its color.
- Ointment "Betadine" (reviews of doctors and patients about the drug are also found on the Internet quite often). Ten percent ointment has a uniform brown structure with a weak iodine flavor. The drug is packaged in aluminum tubes, each contains twenty grams of the drug. There is always one tube in the package.
- Betadine suppositories (reviews about suppositories are most often left by women to whom they were shown due to gynecological infections). The drug in this form is a brown suppository, each is in its own packaging. The suppositories are interconnected on a blister, usually on it. Seven suppositories are located, and the manufacturer packs one or two blisters into the packaging.
Judging by the reviews, "Betadine" during pregnancy in the first trimester does not adversely affect the health of women and the fetus. It can also be used in the second trimester, however, in the subsequent period, doctors do not recommend using this antiseptic even with obvious gynecological indications.
Let's talk about the composition of the antiseptic
The effectiveness of Betadine in gynecology (reviews of doctors and patients always contain information about the high effectiveness of the drug) provides its main component - povidone-iodine. This substance, which has a strong disinfecting effect, is in combination with polyvinylpyrrolidone in the medicine. Synthetic polymer allows you to instantly penetrate into the tissue and reduces the duration of the antiseptic to several tens of seconds.
One milliliter of the solution contains approximately one hundred milligrams of povidone iodine. In addition to it, auxiliary components are also a part. These include the following components:
- purified water;
- glycerol;
- lemon acid;
- disodium dihydrogen phosphate and the like.
If we are talking about ointments, then one gram contains one hundred milligrams of povidone iodine. Additional components include:
- water
- macrogol;
- sodium bicarbonate and so on.
From the instructions for application to Betadine candles and reviews about them, you can find out the composition of suppositories. One candle contains two hundred milligrams of active substance, there are practically no additional components in this form of the drug. The only excipient is a macrogol. And if in other forms of release it is contained in different concentrations, then suppositories have only one dosage of macrogol - a thousand.
Pharmacology
The instructions and reviews for "Betadine" (suppositories, ointment and solution) indicate the mechanism of action of the drug. Thanks to this, each patient can understand why this particular tool is so effective.
We already mentioned that the active substance in the composition of the drug is in connection with polyvinylpyrrolidone. In the process of application, regardless of the form and fabrics on which the product is applied, both components almost instantly disintegrate into components. Povidone iodine in a few seconds begins a disinfectant and antibacterial effect. At the same time, it is very effective against a number of microorganisms:
- gram-positive aerobes;
- gram-negative aerobes;
- anaerobes;
- viruses (including HIV);
- protozoa;
- mushrooms.
Such a wide range of effects provides great opportunities for the use of the drug. It is used in traumatology, gynecology, surgery, burn departments and not only.
If we carefully examine the mechanism of action of Betadine itself (in reviews of suppositories, solution and ointment, it is usually not described), then we can note that the active substance quickly penetrates the structure of pathogenic microorganisms. It destroys protein and enzyme bonds, which causes the neutralization of bacteria in the body. It is noteworthy that iodine is very slowly and gradually released from the body, so Betadine has a long-term effect even after a single application.
The drug penetrates poorly through biological barriers, it is this characteristic that allows not to interfere with tissue regeneration with local application. Also, this nuance makes it possible to prescribe "Betadine" during pregnancy. Reviews of the results of such treatment are mostly characterized as positive.
Who is shown an antiseptic in the form of a solution?
Betadine in this release form can only be used externally. It is actively used not only by doctors in their professional activities, but also by ordinary people in everyday life.
If you are interested in the testimony of a solution in the household sphere, then you can freely use it in the treatment of cuts, burns, abrasions and pustular rashes. Betadine can also be used in case of stomatitis or in the complex treatment of acne. Often, a solution is indicated for diaper rash in infants or bedridden patients. In all these cases, the drug proved to be very effective and safe.
Doctors use the Betadine solution more widely. First of all, it is indicated for disinfection of the skin. It is carried out during the preoperative preparation or, for example, before a puncture and biopsy. Almost any invasive intervention is accompanied by treatment with Betadine.
The solution is great for treating wounds that are already infected with certain microorganisms. Often it is used to care for patients who have catheters or, for example, probes.
If the patient has to undergo dental surgery, then the treatment of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity will also occur using Betadine. In gynecology, the solution is used very widely. Doctors use it as a disinfectant for the birth canal and in some gynecological operations. Newborn "Betadine" lubricate the umbilical site, it can also be used against conjunctivitis.
Men who are being treated for various infections in parallel with their partners treat the penis with a solution. Usually this procedure is part of a comprehensive treatment.
Indications for use of ointment
This version of the drug is most often used at home. However, this is provided not by the characteristics of the drug, but rather by the convenience of the form of release and storage.
Most often, the drug is used to treat burns, ulcers (including trophic ones), abrasions, wound channels, infected wounds, cuts. Also, the ointment is very effective in case of pressure sores. Some patients with various kinds of dermatitis know how difficult they are to treat. However, when making such a diagnosis, the doctor will most likely prescribe Betadine.
Do not forget about the viruses that the ointment helps fight. It is used for viral infections of the skin. And these include herpes and human papilloma.
Indications for the use of Betadine candles
From the instructions and reviews, you can get complete information about when it will be effective to use vaginal suppositories. First of all, many women note that suppositories, even in the most difficult cases, do not irritate the mucous membrane and are well tolerated by patients of any age.
Suppositories for any vaginal infections proved to be very good. For example, they are actively used in chronic and acute vulvovaginitis. The drug is especially effective for vulvovaginitis, the causative agents of which are Trichomonas and Candida. Also, suppositories can be prescribed in case of bacterial vaginosis, colpitis, candidiasis and other infections.
Judging by the reviews of doctors, they can’t resist Chlamydia and Gardnerella candles Betadine. They die as a result of treatment rather quickly, especially when suppositories are used as part of complex therapy. Suppositories for genital herpes are also possible. Usually this disease is very difficult to treat, but candles significantly reduce this period.
If fungal lesions of the vaginal mucosa and mixed infections are detected, the attending physician will prescribe Betadine in the form of suppositories to the patient. The treatment will not take many days, but will be simple and effective.
Soap antiseptic
This form of Betadine is much less common than all of the above. Therefore, we did not even mention it separately. However, we want to tell readers about its use, since this type of drug is quite convenient at home and in enterprises. It can be used to disinfect hands in case of contact with infectious patients, as well as in kindergartens and catering facilities. Many housewives at home worry about infections that can be brought from outside. Therefore, they try to treat their hands with an antiseptic after arriving home from the street. In the form of soap, it is quite convenient to use.
In the hospital, Betadin soap is used by specialists before and after examination of patients, as well as before surgical or other other intervention.
Instructions for use: ointment, solution, suppositories and soap
Each release form has its own application features. Therefore, you must know about this before using Betadine. For example, a solution is most often prescribed without dilution with water. In this form, wounds, abrasions and other minor injuries are treated. Also, a ten percent solution is used to prepare patients before and after surgery. In severe cases, especially when it comes to burns, the dressings are saturated with a solution and applied to the affected area of the skin until it completely dries. Treatment of the eyes, umbilical wound and other body surfaces of the newborn occurs with the diluted Betadine. It should be diluted with water as one to four or one to two.
If we are talking about soap, then for the preoperative preparation of doctors it takes ten milliliters. Hand treatment should occur for at least two and a half minutes using a brush.
In cases where hygienic cleansing of the hands is necessary, five milliliters of soap is enough. For processing, one and a half minutes will be enough, you can wash off the antiseptic with ordinary tap water.
Ointment is usually used twice a day. The patient should apply it in a thin layer to the site of the lesion, while the affected area can be bandaged or left open, if convenient. In rare cases, the specialist prescribes the use of the ointment three times a day, a similar frequency significantly reduces the healing period of wounds and abrasions.
Suppositories are used vaginally. The course of treatment depends on the severity of the disease and the nature of its course. In acute cases, when the symptoms need to be removed urgently, the doctor prescribes two suppositories twice a day. Usually, recovery occurs within seven days, but if necessary, treatment can be extended.
If you need to get rid of a chronic disease, then one candle per day will be enough. It is administered at night, for convenience, you can use the gasket. The course of treatment lasts approximately two weeks.
On average, treatment with suppositories cannot be longer than twenty days. If the nature of the disease requires a longer use of suppositories, then you need to take a break and only then return to treatment after the recommendation of a specialist.
Contraindications and side effects
We already wrote that Betadine is pretty safe. Therefore, the drug does not have a wide list of contraindications and negative consequences of use.
To abandon Betadine is necessary for people with hypersensitivity to iodine, as well as for patients who have problems with the thyroid gland. With certain indications in these cases, an antiseptic can be prescribed, but its use requires careful monitoring by a doctor.
Children under eight years old should avoid using the drug. It is prescribed to newborns only after examination of the thyroid gland and diagnosis.
If the patient is prescribed radioactive iodine, then Betadine should not be used in any case. These funds are incompatible and can cause harm to the body when interacting.
There are not so many side effects of the medicine. This is due to the fact that the antiseptic is not absorbed into the blood and does not penetrate deeply into the tissues of the body. All negative consequences are local and are mainly expressed in the form of itching, redness and other allergic reactions.
Drug Reviews
Reviews of doctors and patients will help to form an opinion about the drug. The first respond with great positive comments about this tool. They consider it the best option that does not give side effects, a feeling of tightness of the skin, as well as providing a long-term result. Doctors note that Betadine is very affordable and has a low cost. In addition, it is ranked among the most active antiseptics. Doctors especially note the possibility of using Betadine suppositories during pregnancy.
Patient reviews are usually positive. They indicated that the drug quickly removes unpleasant symptoms, does not pinch when it gets into wounds, and is also widely used for household injuries and other situations.
Based on everything written above, we can conclude that this antiseptic is an almost perfect tool that can be used both at home and in a hospital.