Polyhexanide
Polyhexanide (polyhexamethylene biguanide, PHMB) is a polymer used as a disinfectant and antiseptic. In dermatological use,[1] it is spelled polihexanide (INN) and sold under names such as Lavasept, Serasept, Prontosan and Omnicide.[2] PHMB has been shown to be effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus (also the methicillin-resistant type, MRSA), Escherichia coli, Candida albicans (yeast), Aspergillus brasiliensis (mold), vancomycin-resistant enterococci, and Klebsiella pneumoniae (carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae).[3]
Names | |
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Other names
Polyhexamethylene biguanide; Polyhexamethylene guanide; Poly(iminoimidocarbonyl-iminoimidocarbonyl-iminohexamethylene) Hydrochloride; Poly(hexamethylenebiguanide); Polihexanide | |
Identifiers | |
Abbreviations | PHMB |
ChEBI | |
ChemSpider |
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ECHA InfoCard | 100.115.789 |
UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) |
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Properties | |
(C8H17N5)n | |
Pharmacology | |
D08AC05 (WHO) | |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
Infobox references | |
Some products containing PHMB are used for inter-operative irrigation, pre- and post-surgery skin and mucous membrane disinfection, post-operative dressings, surgical and non-surgical wound dressings, surgical bath/hydrotherapy, chronic wounds like diabetic foot ulcer and burn wound management, routine antisepsis during minor incisions, catheterization, scopy, first aid, surface disinfection, and linen disinfection.[4] PHMB eye drops have been used as a treatment for eyes affected by Acanthamoeba keratitis.[5]
Branded as Baquacil, it also has an application as a swimming-pool and spa water sanitizer in place of chlorine- or bromine-based products. It is available as Baqua-Spa 3 sanitize, as Revacil Spa 3 sanitizer, and in the Leisure Time Free system.
PHMB is also used as an ingredient in some contact lens cleaning products, cosmetics, personal deodorants and some veterinary products. It is also used to treat clothing (Purista), purportedly to prevent the development of unpleasant odors.
The PHMB hydrochloride salt (solution) is used in the majority of formulations.
See also
- Polyaminopropyl biguanide, a related biguanide disinfectant
References
- Ansorg R, Rath PM, Fabry W (2003). "Inhibition of the anti-staphylococcal activity of the antiseptic polihexanide by mucin". Arzneimittel-Forschung. 53 (5): 368–71. doi:10.1055/s-0031-1297121. PMID 12854364.
- International Drug Names: Polihexanide
- Maribeth Cousin, Kimberly Restivo, Chelsea Rodriguez, and Justin Lien. USP Antimicrobial Effectiveness Test (GLP). Elkhorn, WI: Geneva Laboratories. 2013. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-04-08.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- Nusept
- Alkharashi M, Lindsley K, Law HA, Sikder S (2015). "Medical interventions for acanthamoeba keratitis". Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2: CD0010792. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010792.pub2. PMC 4730543. PMID 25710134.