Antiseptic solution - a volatile liquid that is flammable. It is characterized by a specific smell. The active principle is ethanol. It mixes well with water, diethyl ether, chloroform. Volumetric concentrations are determined in degrees, weight percentages. Antiseptic solution is stored in a cool place in a tightly sealed container. The shelf life of the drug is up to five years. Use must be no later than the date indicated on the package.
Antiseptic solution: mechanism of action. When used locally, ethanol is irritating. When applied to the skin and mucous membranes, there is a sensation of cold, which changes by burning, followed by hyperemia. This action first occurs reflexively, and then by the direct influence of ethanol on the capillaries. The irritation of receptors changes by inhibiting their sensitivity, as a result of which its and analgesic (analgesic) effect is manifested.
When taken orally at 5–10% concentration, the aseptic solution activates the secretion of the gastric glands; in higher concentrations, inhibits the secretion of gastric juice, but stimulates the secretion of mucus, without significantly affecting the motility of the stomach and intestinal motility. 70–90% ethanol provokes the development of a strong vacuum with the release of a large amount of mucus. An antiseptic solution in moderate concentrations restores disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
When applied to the wound surface or after subcutaneous administration, ethanol in 70% and higher concentrations can cause tissue necrosis due to the ability to easily take away cellular water, which leads to coagulation of proteins. This explains its bactericidal effect. A medical antiseptic solution of 95% concentration does not destroy microorganisms, since it only acts superficially. The antimicrobial effect is most pronounced in 50–70% alcohol solutions.
Medical antiseptic solution: indications for use. Alcohol is easily absorbed by the mucous membranes, with 20–40% in the stomach and 60–80% in the intestine. The resorptive effect appears after about twenty minutes. The resorptive effect is similar to the action of drugs. After absorption, the drug is evenly distributed in the tissues, where it is partially amenable to oxidation using the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase with the release of a large amount of energy. However, most of the ethanol is excreted in the unchanged state through the organs of excretion.
For alcohol anesthesia, distinct stages are characteristic, especially the stage of excitation. It should be said that, unlike other drugs, this stage appears with full consciousness. The spectrum of narcotic action of ethanol is narrow, so it is very dangerous to use it for complete anesthesia. For example, in human blood, the physiological norm is the ethanol content of 4 mg per 100 ml; varying degrees of intoxication appears at a concentration of 20 to 200 mg. per 100 ml, coma - at 400 mg / 100 ml or more, death occurs at a concentration close to 700 mg / 100 ml. Under the influence of alcohol, heat production decreases and heat transfer increases, which can lead to hypothermia of the body. In this case, breathing becomes superficial due to inhibition of the center of respiration, the pulse increases, blood pressure decreases due to the expansion of peripheral vessels.
External use of an aseptic solution provides a disinfectant, antiseptic effect. When alcohol acts on a microbial cell, proteins denature and coagulate. This drug has a bacteriostatic effect against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, as well as viruses. In surgical practice it is used for the surgical field and hands, in pharmacy - for the preparation of extracts and infusions.