Benzalkonium chloride: instructions for use, composition and description. Benzalkonium chloride: preparations

What medicines contain a substance such as benzalkonium chloride? Preparations with this ingredient will be listed below. Also you will learn about what properties it possesses, what it is assigned and how it should be properly used.

Basic information

Benzalkonium chloride is a medicinal substance that is part of many drugs. It is an ammonium compound and is produced as a white or yellowish white powder. Also, this agent can be found in the form of a gel-like mass, soluble in alcohol, water, acetone and practically insoluble in ether.

Composition, shape

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 drug substance

What are the pharmacological properties of benzalkonium chloride? The composition of this substance is such that it is able to have a contraceptive effect, as well as spermicidal and antiseptic effects.

After application, the agent under consideration is embedded in the cell membranes, and then interacts with certain 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, Escherichia coli, Proteus, Klebsiella and other microorganisms. It also acts fungicidally and against fungi.

Spermatocidal properties of this substance are manifested in the destruction of the flagellum and rupture of the head of the spermatozoon, which prevents the egg from fertilizing.

Features of the drug

The ingredient in question is not absorbed by intravaginal use, but settles on the vaginal mucosa and is eliminated after rinsing with water or alone along with physiological excreta.

The contraceptive effect of this substance begins 10 minutes after the use of capsules or tablets, 5 minutes after the introduction of vaginal suppositories and 3 after the application of the cream.

The duration of the spermatocidal effect of this substance can vary depending on the form of the drug used (from 3 hours to 24 hours). It should be noted that any medication administered intravaginally will reduce the spermatocidal effect of this component. By the way, iodine solution also inactivates funds that contain benzalkonium chloride (suppositories, cream, tablets and others).

Indications for use

The external solution of benzalkonium chloride is necessary for primary and primary-delayed treatment of wounds, as well as prevention of their secondary infection with hospital bacterial strains (with burns, bone and soft tissue injuries). Also this agent is prescribed in the presence of purulent wounds, for drainage of the bone cavities after the operation with osteomyelitis.

A thick mass or cream with benzalkonium chloride is used in paraproctitis, superficial thermal burn, trophic ulcer, long-term non-healing wounds of soft tissues (including those infected), purulent-inflammatory skin diseases that have developed against the background of diabetes mellitus.

Benzalkonium chloride in the eye drops is well manifested when there is insufficient teardrop, deformation of the eyelids, lagophthalmus, ectropion and after plastic operations on the eyelids. In addition, this drug is prescribed for trophic ulcers and corneal erosion, its bullous dystrophic changes, keratopathy, thermal burns of the conjunctiva, keratoectomy, microdefects of the corneal epithelium and after keratoplasty.

Tablets, vaginal suppositories, capsules for intravaginal administration, cream and tampons are designed for local contraception in women of reproductive age. As a rule, such funds are prescribed in the presence of contraindications to intrauterine spirals and oral contraceptives, as well as in the postpartum period, during lactation, with irregular sexual life, after abortion and in premenopause.

Liquid concentrate with benzalkonium chloride is used for disinfection of premises, as well as products and equipment for medical purposes.

Contraindications

Benzalkonium chloride - a preservative and antiseptic, which is prohibited to use when:

• The presence of hypersensitivity;
• Contact dermatitis;
• Malignant tumors on the skin.

With regard to the contraindications of intravaginal forms of the drug, then they include the following conditions:

• Irritation and ulceration of the uterus or vaginal mucosa;
• Colpitis.

Instructions

The way this substance is used depends on the form in which it is produced.

• The external solution is diluted with water (distilled) to a concentration of 1%, and then impregnated with gauze dressings, tampons or napkins, and then applied to the wound.
• A thick mass or cream is applied to the wound surface, which is previously cleaned from necrotically altered tissues and purulent discharge (at the rate of 0.25-0.45 g / 1 sq. Cm). You can also use gauze wipes or turuns, impregnated with medicinal product. The maximum dose of this drug per day is 50 g. Bandages are changed every day for two weeks.
• Vaginal suppositories for contraception are inserted into the vagina, lying on the back. Do this five minutes before sexual 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 this drug is 3 hours.

The cream is injected into the vagina, using the dozator-applicator (preferably in the supine position). Its effect develops immediately after application and lasts for 10 hours.

According to the instruction, a new capsule, a dose of cream, a candle or a pill should be injected each time with repeated sexual acts.

The tampon should be removed from the package, and then place the middle finger in the middle of its flat surface. Spreading the labia with the other hand, it needs to be moved to the depth of the vagina to the cervix.

The action of this medication develops immediately and lasts about a day. At this time, the swab should not be changed even with repeated sexual contacts. It is desirable to remove it not earlier than 3 hours after the last act and not later than a day after its installation.

In case of difficulties in removing the tampon, squat down and gently pull it out with your fingers (like a pair of tweezers). Strictly forbidden to take a bath and swim with this tool in the vagina.

The liquid concentrate should be diluted with water until the required solution is obtained (1-12%). Items of furnishings, indoor surfaces and sanitary equipment must be wiped with rags soaked in a prepared preparation at a rate of 150 ml / 1 sq. M. M surface.

Medical products and laboratory utensils must be completely immersed in the solution and closed 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.

In what formulations is it contained?

The most popular products, which include benzalkonium chloride, are the following:

• "Kataferm" is a combined preparation in the form of lyophilizate, from which the solution is prepared, and then it is used externally for trophic ulcers, vaginitis, purulent diseases, osteomyelitis and bartholinitis.
• "Katalzel A" - a combined agent in the form of a paste, which has a spermatocidal effect.
• "Katatsel" 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 action.

• "Septotelet" is a combined remedy that contains not only benzalkonium chloride, but also levomenthol, eucalyptus leaf oil, peppermint and thymol. The medicinal form of this preparation is represented by pastilles, which show pronounced antiseptic properties.