Benzalkonium chloride: Indication, Dosage, Side Effect, Precaution

This information is not country-specific. Please refer to the Myanmar prescribing information.

Generic Medicine Info

Indications and Dosage

Topical/Cutaneous
Antiseptic and disinfectant

Adult: As soln: Cleansing of skin, mucous membrane and wounds: 0.01-0.1%. Irrigation of deep wounds: 0.005%. Irrigation of bladder and urethra: 0.005-0.02%. Retention lavage of the bladder: 0.0025-0.005%. Disinfection and storage of surgical instruments: 0.13%; may be used w/ Na nitrite to avoid corrosion. As preservative: 0.01%-0.02% (ophth preparation); 0.002-0.2% (nasal and otic preparation). As shampoo: Seborrhoeic dermatitis: 0.2-0.5%. As cream: Napkin rash and other dermatoses: 0.13%. As vaginal douche: 0.02-0.05%. Refer to product information for specific directions for use.

Incompatibility

Incompatible w/ soaps and other anionic surfactants, citrates, iodides, nitrates, permanganates, salicylates, silver salts, tartrates, zinc oxide and sulfate, Al, cotton dressings, fluorescein Na, hydrogen peroxide, hypromellose, kaolin, hydrous wool fat and some sulfonamides; some rubber mixes or plastics.

Contraindications

Use in occlusive dressings, casts and anal or vaginal packs.

Special Precautions

Not intended for washing and storing hydrophilic soft contact lenses.

Adverse Reactions

Hypersensitivity reactions. Damage to tear film and corneoconjunctival surface, conjunctivitis (long-term treatment w/ ophth preparations containing benzalkonium Cl as preservative).

Drug Interactions

Increased risk of corneal toxicity when used as preservative in anaesthetic eye drops.

Action

Description: Benzalkonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium antiseptic and disinfectant. It is active against bacteria and some viruses, fungi and protozoa. The exact mechanism of bactericidal action is unknown but is thought to be due to enzyme inactivation.

Storage

Store between 15-30°C.

MIMS Class

Skin Antiseptics & Disinfectants

ATC Classification

D08AJ01 - benzalkonium ; Belongs to the class of quaternary ammonium compound antiseptics. Used in the treatment of dermatological diseases.

References

Abridge Cold Sore Treatment (Ranir LLC). DailyMed. Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/. Accessed 15/08/2016.

Benzalkonium chloride Antiseptic Swab (Tongzhou Ruihong Medical Products Factory). DailyMed. Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/. Accessed 15/08/2016.

Benzalkonium chloride Liquid (Sani Products Inc.). DailyMed. Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/. Accessed 15/08/2016.

Buckingham R (ed). Benzalkonium chloride. Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference [online]. London. Pharmaceutical Press. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 15/08/2016.

Joint Formulary Committee. Benzalkonium chloride. British National Formulary [online]. London. BMJ Group and Pharmaceutical Press. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 15/08/2016.

McEvoy GK, Snow EK, Miller J et al (eds). Benzalkonium chloride (Topical). AHFS Drug Information (AHFS DI) [online]. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 15/08/2016.

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