What medicines contain a substance such as benzalkonium chloride? Drugs with this ingredient will be listed below. You will also learn about what properties it has, what it is prescribed for and how it should be used correctly.
Basic information
Benzalkonium chloride is a medicinal substance that is part of many drugs. It is an ammonium compound and is produced in the form of a white or yellowish-white powder. Also, this tool can be found in the form of a gel-like mass, soluble in alcohol, water, acetone and practically insoluble in ether.
Composition, form
Benzalkonium chloride is an active substance. Depending on the type of drug, it can be supplemented with other ingredients.
Benzalkonium chloride is found in solutions for external use, eye drops, various creams, vaginal suppositories, tablets, capsules and liquid concentrate for disinfection of premises.
Action of the drug
What pharmacological properties does benzalkonium chloride have? The composition of this substance is such that it is able to exert a contraceptive effect, as well as spermicidal and antiseptic effects.
After use, the drug in question is embedded in cell membranes, and then interacts with some microorganisms and sperm lipoproteins, which ultimately leads to membrane damage and cell death.
Benzalkonium chloride has a pronounced bactericidal activity against pathogenic bacteria, including staphylococcus, streptococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli, Proteus, Klebsiella and other microorganisms. It also acts fungicidal against fungi.
The spermatocidal properties of this substance are manifested in the destruction of the flagellum and rupture of the sperm head, which prevents the egg from being fertilized.
Features of the medication
The considered ingredient is not absorbed during intravaginal use, however, it settles on the vaginal mucosa and is eliminated after washing with water or on its own along with physiological secretions.
The contraceptive effect of this substance begins 10 minutes after using capsules or tablets, 5 minutes after the administration of vaginal suppositories, and 3 after applying the cream.
The duration of the spermatocidal action of this substance may vary depending on the form of the drug used (from 3 hours to a day). It should be noted that any medication administered intravaginally will reduce the spermatocidal effect of this component. By the way, the iodine solution also inactivates the funds that contain benzalkonium chloride (suppositories, cream, tablets and others).
Indications for use
An external solution of benzalkonium chloride is necessary for the primary and primary delayed treatment of wounds, as well as the prevention of their secondary infection with hospital strains of bacteria (for burns, injuries of bone and soft tissues). Also, this tool is prescribed in the presence of purulent wounds, for drainage of bone cavities after surgery for osteomyelitis.
A thick mass or cream with benzalkonium chloride is used for paraproctitis, superficial thermal burns, trophic ulcers, long-term non-healing soft tissue wounds (including infected ones), and purulent-inflammatory skin diseases that developed against the background of diabetes mellitus.
Benzalkonium chloride in eye drops works well with insufficient lacrimation, eyelid deformation, lagophthalmos, ectropion and after plastic surgery on the eyelids. In addition, such a drug is prescribed for trophic ulcers and corneal erosion, its bullous dystrophic changes, keratopathy, thermal burns of the conjunctiva, keratectomy, microdefects of the corneal epithelium and after keratoplasty.
Tablets, vaginal suppositories, capsules for intravaginal administration, cream and tampons are intended for local contraception in women of reproductive age. As a rule, such drugs are prescribed if there are contraindications to the intrauterine device and when taking oral contraceptives, as well as in the postpartum period, during lactation, during irregular sex life, after abortion and in premenopause.
Benzalkonium chloride liquid concentrate is used to disinfect rooms, as well as medical products and equipment.
Contraindications
Benzalkonium chloride is a preservative and antiseptic that should not be used for:
- the presence of hypersensitivity;
- contact dermatitis;
- malignant tumors on the skin.
As for contraindications for intravaginal forms of the drug, the following conditions are referred to them:
- irritation and ulceration of the uterus or vaginal mucosa;
- colpitis.
Instruction manual
The method of application of this substance depends on the form in which it is produced.
- The external solution is diluted with water (distilled) to a concentration of 1%, and then they are impregnated with gauze dressings, tampons or napkins, after which they are applied to the wound.
- A thick mass or cream is applied to the wound surface, which is previously cleaned of necrotic tissue and purulent discharge (at the rate of 0.25-0.45 g / 1 sq. Cm). You can also use gauze napkins or turunds soaked in the drug. The maximum dose of this drug per day is 50 g. Dressings are changed every day for two weeks.
- Vaginal suppositories for contraception are injected into the vagina, lying on their backs. Do this five minutes before intercourse. The duration of the drug is 4 hours.
Intravaginal tablets are also injected into the vagina, lying on their backs, ten minutes before sexual intercourse. The duration of action of such a drug is 3 hours.
The cream is injected into the vagina using a dispenser-applicator (preferably in a prone position). Its action develops immediately after use and lasts for 10 hours.
According to the instructions, a new capsule, a serving of cream, a suppository or a tablet should be administered each time during repeated sexual intercourse.
The tampon must be removed from the package, and then position the middle finger in the middle of its flat surface. Having parted the labia with the other hand, it needs to be advanced into the depths of the vagina to the cervix.
The effect of such a medication develops immediately and lasts about a day. At this time, the swab should not be changed even with repeated sexual intercourse. It is advisable to remove it no earlier than 3 hours after the last act and no later than a day after its installation.
If you have difficulty removing the swab, you should squat down and carefully remove it with your fingers (like tweezers). It is strictly forbidden to take a bath and swim with this tool in the vagina.
The liquid concentrate should be diluted with water to obtain the desired solution (1-12%). Furnishings, indoor surfaces and sanitary equipment must be wiped with a rag soaked in the prepared product at the rate of 150 ml / 1 sq. m surface.
Medical devices and laboratory glassware must be completely immersed in a solution and covered with a lid. After 2 hours, they must be rinsed or rinsed under running water (about 3 minutes).
Side effects
Depending on the form of the drug, benzalkonium chloride can cause various side effects. With its long-term use, patients often develop local irritation and other allergic reactions.
What preparations contains?
The most popular agents, which include benzalkonium chloride, are the following:
- “Kataferm” is a combined preparation in the form of a lyophilisate, from which a solution is prepared, and then used externally for trophic ulcer, vaginitis, the presence of purulent diseases, osteomyelitis and bartholinitis.
- "Katacel A" is a combination agent in the form of a paste, which has a spermatocidal effect.
- Katacel is a drug produced in vaginal tablets and capsules, suppositories and tampons, cream and paste for external use. It has a spermatocidal, antifungal and antiseptic effect.
- "Septolete" is a combination product that contains not only benzalkonium chloride, but also levomenthol, eucalyptus leaf oil, peppermint and thymol. The dosage form of this drug is represented by lozenges that exhibit pronounced antiseptic properties.