Types of antiseptics, presentations and rules of use

Med Intensiva (Engl Ed). 2019 Mar:43 Suppl 1:7-12. doi: 10.1016/j.medin.2018.09.013. Epub 2018 Nov 15.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

Antiseptics are chemical substances that when applied topically onto intact skin, mucous membranes or wounds partially or completely reduces the population of living microorganisms in those tissues. Different types of antiseptics are available - those most commonly used in clinical practice being alcohols, iodinated compounds and chlorhexidine. When using an antiseptic, consideration is required of its spectrum of antimicrobial activity, latency, residual effects, possible interferences of the presence of organic material with the activity of the antiseptic, its side effects, compatibility with other antiseptics, and cost. This article is part of a supplement entitled "Antisepsis in the critical patient", which is sponsored by Becton Dickinson.

Keywords: Alcohol; Antiseptics; Antisépticos; Chlorhexidine; Clorhexidina; Compuestos yodados; Iodinated compounds.

MeSH terms

  • Alcohols / adverse effects
  • Alcohols / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Infective Agents, Local / adverse effects
  • Anti-Infective Agents, Local / classification
  • Anti-Infective Agents, Local / pharmacology*
  • Cations / adverse effects
  • Cations / pharmacology
  • Chlorhexidine / adverse effects
  • Chlorhexidine / pharmacology
  • Drug Interactions
  • Ethanol / adverse effects
  • Ethanol / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / adverse effects
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / therapeutic use
  • Intensive Care Units
  • Iodine / adverse effects
  • Iodine / pharmacology
  • Iodine Compounds / adverse effects
  • Iodine Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Iodophors / adverse effects
  • Iodophors / pharmacology
  • Mercury Compounds / pharmacology
  • Propranolol / adverse effects
  • Propranolol / pharmacology
  • Sulfadiazine / adverse effects
  • Sulfadiazine / pharmacology
  • Triclosan / adverse effects
  • Triclosan / pharmacology

Substances

  • Alcohols
  • Anti-Infective Agents, Local
  • Cations
  • Iodine Compounds
  • Iodophors
  • Mercury Compounds
  • Sulfadiazine
  • Ethanol
  • Triclosan
  • Iodine
  • Propranolol
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Chlorhexidine