Antiseptics and Disinfectants
Same substance at low concentration acts
as antiseptic and high concentration act as
Disinfectant
Causes bactericidal or bacteriostatic effect depending on the concentration.
Requirements for antiseptics and
disinfectants.
• Must have a broad spectrum of action and
bactericidal action
• Rapid onset of action;
• Should have a high activity against all microbes
• High availability and low cost
• Non irritation to the tissue or non corrosive
• Non absorbable
• Low toxicity.
Classification (PHARMA GOD)
P - Phenol derivatives: M- Metallic salts:
Phenol, cresol &
Silver nitrate ,Zinc oxide
Dettol(chlorohexylenol)
Misseanous- Nitro furan derivative-
H- Halogens: (
Iodine, chlorine. Furazolidone
A -Alcohols: A- Aldehydes:
Ethanol, Isopropanol Formaldehyde,Glutarldehyde
R - suR face Acids- boric acid
active agents G - Gases:
(Cationic surfactants/Quaternary ethylene oxide
ammonium compounds:
O- Oxidizing agents:
– Cetrimide, Bezalkonium
Hydrogen peroxide,KMno4
chloride
D - Dyes:
Gentian violet, Acriflavine
phenol
MOA: Act by precipitating bacterial proteins
USES : As a disinfect urine, feaces, pus, burns.
It is first surgical Antiseptic
Bacterio Static in 0.2 & bactricidal >1% conc
Mostly not used as
antiseptic due to corrosive nature
Cresol: methyl derivative of phenol called as cresol
Cresol 3-10 times more active than phenol
used for disinfection of utensils & for
washing hands.
Chloroxylenol (Dettol)
Phenol derivative
p-Chloro-m-xylenol (PCMX)
Does not coagulate proteins,
Non corrosive,Non irritating to skin
Commercial 4.8 % solution used
for surgical antisepsis
Skin cream and soap: 0.8%
Mouth wash 1%
Halogens
Iodine:
.Weak iodine solution- (Iodine tinctures): 2% iodine in
alcohol acts as disinfectant.
Strong iodine solution: (Lugol's Iodine solution) contains 5%
iodine in 10% potassium iodide solution (KI)
Mechanism - halogenation of proteins
Adv: Commonly used as topical antiseptics
Povidone-iodine
• Povidone-iodine also known as poly
vinyl prrolidine-iodine(PVP-I)
• is an antiseptic used for skin
disinfection before and after surgery.
• It may be applied to the skin as a
liquid or a powder.
•Povidone-iodine is a broad spectrum
antiseptic for topical application in the
treatment and prevention of wound infection.
• Povidone-iodine exhibits longer lasting
antiseptic effects than tincture of iodine
Alcohols
Ethanol (ethyl alcohol, wine spirit)
• Acts as an antiseptic,
• preservative
• mild counterirritant,
• or solvent.
• cleansing agent at 40-90% conc.
Isopropyl Alcohol
• Isopropyl alcohol is also used in pharmaceuticals as a solvent and
preservative.
• At 40% concentration it is active
MOA: Act by precipitating bacterial proteins
– Irritant, should not be applied on mucous membrane, ulcers,
open wounds.
Aldehydes (Formaldehyde)
• Used for fumigation.
• 40% aqueous solution called as formalin.
• mechanisam: Act by precipitating bacterial
proteins
• Used for preserving dead tissues.
• Use as antiseptic restricted due to bad odour &
irritation
Surface active agents (Detergents)
Detergents - a substances with a high surface activity.
Show antiseptic and cleansing action.
Three types: Anionic,Cationic and nonionic
Anionic detergents include ordinary soaps (sodium or potassium
salts of fatty acids).sodium sterate,sodium lauryl sulfate(SLS)
cationic surfactants: benzalkonium chloride,
cetylpyridinium chloride,
Benzalkonium chloride has antibacterial, antiprotozoal and
spermicidal action).
Nonionic-tweens, span
Used for treatment of skin, mucous membranes, wounds etc,
Oxidizing agents
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
• It is available as 30% and 3% solution.
More common 3% solutions is used.
• H2O2
• Mechanisam- it inactivates the proteins by the
oxidation
• Damages bacterial DNA
• which cleans wounds and ulcers.
• . Hydrogen peroxide is used in treatment of
infected wounds and to stop small
bleeding.
Dyes
Gentian violet:
– Active against bacteria (gram + ve), fungi
– Used on chronic ulcers, bed sores, ring worms.
Acriflavine
– Active against gram +ve bacteria & gonocci
– suitable for chronic ulcers & wounds
Nitrofuran derivatives
( furazolidone)
Spectrum of action: broad spectrum action
Apply for external treatment of wounds, skin, mucous membranes,
wash serous and joint cavities, otitis media, conjunctivitis and others.
Eye diseases and orally for the treatment of bacterial dysentery.
It is combined with Metronidazole
