Povidone-iodine

Antiseptic solution

Povidone-iodine

Povidone-iodine applied to an abrasion using a cotton swab.

Clinical data
Trade names| Betadine, Wokadine, Pyodine, others
Other names| polyvidone iodine, iodopovidone
AHFS/Drugs.com| Consumer Drug Information
License data|

* US DailyMed: Povidone-iodine

Routes of
administration| Topical
ATC code|

* D08AG02 (WHO)

* D09AA09 (WHO) (dressing)
* D11AC06 (WHO)
* G01AX11 (WHO)
* R02AA15 (WHO)
* S01AX18 (WHO)
* QG51AD01 (WHO)

Legal status
Legal status|

* US: OTC / Rx-only

Identifiers

IUPAC name

* 2-Pyrrolidinone, 1-ethenyl-, homopolymer

CAS Number|

* 25655-41-8 Y

PubChem CID|

* 410087

DrugBank|

* DB06812 Y

ChemSpider|

* none

UNII|

* 85H0HZU99M

KEGG|

* D00863
* C08043

ChEBI|

* CHEBI:8347

ChEMBL|

* ChEMBL1201724 Y

CompTox Dashboard (EPA)|

* DTXSID8035712

ECHA InfoCard| 100.110.412
Chemical and physical data
Formula| (C6H9NO)n·xI
Molar mass| variable
NY (what is this?) (verify)

Povidone-iodine (PVP-I), also known as iodopovidone, is an antiseptic used for skin disinfection before and after surgery.[1][2] It may be used both to disinfect the hands of healthcare providers and the skin of the person they are caring for.[2] It may also be used for minor wounds.[2] It may be applied to the skin as a liquid or a powder.[2]

Side effects include skin irritation and sometimes swelling.[1] If used on large wounds, kidney problems, high blood sodium, and metabolic acidosis may occur.[1] It is not recommended in women who are less than 32 weeks pregnant.[2] Frequent use is not recommended in people with thyroid problems or who are taking lithium.[2]

Povidone-iodine is a chemical complex of povidone, hydrogen iodide, and elemental iodine.[3] It contains 10% Povidone, with total iodine species equaling 10,000 ppm or 1% total titratable iodine.[3] It works by releasing iodine which results in the death of a range of microorganisms.[1]

Povidone-iodine came into commercial use in 1955.[4] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[5] Povidone-iodine is available over the counter.[6] It is sold under a number of brand names including Betadine.[2]

## Medical uses[edit]

Wound area covered in povidone-iodine. Gauze has also been applied.

Povidone-iodine is a broad spectrum antiseptic for topical application in the treatment and prevention of wound infection. It may be used in first aid for minor cuts, burns, abrasions and blisters. Povidone-iodine exhibits longer lasting antiseptic effects than tincture of iodine, due to its slow absorption via soft tissue, making it the choice for longer surgeries. Chlorhexidine is almost twice as effective in preventing infection after surgery with a similar to lower risk of adverse events,[7][8] and the combination of sodium hypochlorite and hypochlorous acid in very low concentration is significantly superior for wound healing.[9]

Consequently, PVP-I has found broad application in medicine as a surgical scrub; for pre- and post-operative skin cleansing; for the treatment and prevention of infections in wounds, ulcers, cuts and burns; for the treatment of infections in decubitus ulcers and stasis ulcers; in gynecology for vaginitis associated with candidal, trichomonal or mixed infections. For these purposes PVP-I has been formulated at concentrations of 7.5–10.0% in solution, spray, surgical scrub, ointment, and swab dosage forms; however, use of 10% povidone-iodine though recommended, is infrequently used, as it is poorly accepted by health care workers and is excessively slow to dry.[10][11]

Because of these critical indications, only sterile povidone-iodine should be used in most cases. Non-sterile product can be appropriate in limited circumstances in which people have intact, healthy skin that will not be compromised or cut. The non-sterile form of Povidone iodine has a long history of intrinsic contamination with Burkholderia cepacia (a.k.a. Pseudomonas cepacia), and other opportunistic pathogens. Its ability to harbor such microbes further underscores the importance of using sterile products in any clinical setting. Since these bacteria are resistant to povidone iodine, statements that bacteria do not develop resistance to PVP-I,[12] should be regarded with great caution: some bacteria are intrinsically resistant to a range of biocides including povidone-iodine.[13]

Antiseptic activity of PVP-I is because of free iodine (I2) and PVP-I only acts as carrier of I2 to the target cells. Most commonly used 10% PVP-I delivers about 1–3 ppm of I2 in a compound of more than 31,600 ppm of total iodine atoms. All the toxic and staining effects of PVP-I is due to the inactive iodine only.[citation needed]

### Eyes[edit]

A buffered PVP-I solution of 2.5% concentration can be used for prevention of neonatal conjunctivitis, especially if it is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, or Chlamydia trachomatis. It is currently unclear whether PVP-I is more effective in reducing the number of cases of conjunctivitis in neonates over other methods.[14] PVP-I appears to be very suitable for this purpose because, unlike other substances, it is also efficient against fungi and viruses (including HIV and Herpes simplex).[15]

### Pleurodesis[edit]

It is used in pleurodesis (fusion of the pleura because of incessant pleural effusions). For this purpose, povidone-iodine is equally effective and safe as talc, and may be preferred because of easy availability and low cost.[16]

### Alternatives[edit]

There is strong evidence that chlorhexidine and denatured alcohol used to clean skin prior to surgery is better than any formulation of povidone-iodine.[7]

## Contraindications[edit]

PVP-I is contraindicated in people with hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland) and other diseases of the thyroid, after treatment with radioiodine, and in people with dermatitis herpetiformis[why?] (Duhring's disease).[17]

## Side effects[edit]

The sensitization rate to the product is 0.7%.[18]

## Interactions[edit]

The iodine in PVP-I reacts with hydrogen peroxide, silver, taurolidine and proteins such as enzymes, rendering them (and itself) ineffective. It also reacts with many mercury compounds, giving the corrosive compound mercury iodide, as well as with many metals, making it unsuitable for disinfecting metal piercings.[17]

Iodine is absorbed into the body to various degrees, depending on application area and condition of the skin. As such, it interacts with diagnostic tests of the thyroid gland such as radioiodine diagnostics, as well as with various diagnostic agents used on the urine and stool, for example Guaiacum resin.[17]

## Structure[edit]

Structure of povidone-iodine complex.

Povidone-iodine is a chemical complex of the polymer povidone (polyvinylpyrrolidone) and triiodide (I3−).[19]

It is soluble in cold and mild-warm water, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, and glycerol. Its stability in solution is much greater than that of tincture of iodine or Lugol's solution.

Free iodine, slowly liberated from the povidone-iodine (PVP-I) complex in solution, kills cells through iodination of lipids and oxidation of cytoplasmic and membrane compounds. This agent exhibits a broad range of microbiocidal activity against bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses. Slow release of iodine from the PVP-I complex in solution minimizes iodine toxicity towards mammalian cells.

PVP-I can be loaded into hydrogels, which can be based on carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and gelatin, or on crosslinked polyacrylamide. These hydrogels can be used for wound dressing. The rate of release of the iodine in the PVP-I is heavily dependent on the hydrogel composition: it increases with more CMC/PVA and decreases with more gelatin.

## History[edit]

Following the discovery of iodine by Bernard Courtois in 1811, it has been broadly used for the prevention and treatment of skin infections, as well as the treatment of wounds. Iodine has been recognized as an effective broad-spectrum bactericide, and is also effective against yeasts, molds, fungi, viruses, and protozoans. Drawbacks to its use in the form of aqueous solutions include irritation at the site of application, toxicity, and the staining of surrounding tissues. These deficiencies were overcome by the discovery and use of PVP-I, in which the iodine is carried in a complexed form and the concentration of free iodine is very low. The product thus serves as an iodophor.

PVP-I was discovered in 1955, at the Industrial Toxicology Laboratories in Philadelphia by H. A. Shelanski and M. V. Shelanski.[20] They carried out tests in vitro to demonstrate anti-bacterial activity, and found that the complex was less toxic in mice than tincture of iodine. Human clinical trials showed the product to be superior to other iodine formulations.[21]

## Research[edit]

Schematic of povidone-iodine complex wrapping a single wall carbon nanotube (black).[22]

Povidone-iodine has found application in the field of nanomaterials[23]. A wound-healing application has been developed which employs a mat of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) coated in a monolayer of povidone-iodine.[22]

Research has previously found that the polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP, povidone) can coil around individual carbon nanotubes to make them water-soluble.[24]

## See also[edit]

* Cadexomer iodine
* Iodophor
* Inadine
* Lugol's iodine
* Tincture of iodine

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b c d World Health Organization (2009). Stuart MC, Kouimtzi M, Hill SR (eds.). WHO Model Formulary 2008. World Health Organization. pp. 321–323. hdl:10665/44053. ISBN 9789241547659.
2. ^ a b c d e f g British National Formulary (BNF), 69th Edition. British Medical Association; Joint Formulary Committee. 6 March 2015. p. 840\. ISBN 9780857111562. OCLC 1031488649. Archived from the original on 22 February 2022.
3. ^ a b Encyclopedia of polymer science and technology (3 ed.). Wiley Publishing. 16 October 2013. p. 728\. ISBN 9780470073698. OCLC 899175361. Archived from the original on 2017-01-13.
4. ^ Sneader W (31 October 2005). Drug Discovery: A History. John Wiley & Sons. p. 68\. ISBN 9780470015520. OCLC 62301847. Archived from the original on 2017-01-13.
5. ^ World Health Organization (2021). World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 22nd list (2021). Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/345533. WHO/MHP/HPS/EML/2021.02.
6. ^ "Povidone/iodine solution: Indications, Side Effects, Warnings - Drugs.com". www.drugs.com. Archived from the original on 13 January 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
7. ^ a b Wade RG, Burr NE, McCauley G, Bourke G, Efthimiou O (September 2020). "The Comparative Efficacy of Chlorhexidine Gluconate and Povidone-iodine Antiseptics for the Prevention of Infection in Clean Surgery: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis". Annals of Surgery. 274 (6): e481–e488. doi:10.1097/SLA.0000000000004076. PMID 32773627.
8. ^ Chen S, Chen JW, Guo B, Xu CS (May 2020). "Preoperative Antisepsis with Chlorhexidine Versus Povidone-Iodine for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infection: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis". World Journal of Surgery. 44 (5): 1412–1424. doi:10.1007/s00268-020-05384-7. ISSN 1432-2323. PMID 31996985. S2CID 210950872.
9. ^ Kramer A, Dissemond J, Kim S, Willy C, Mayer D, Papke R, et al. (2018). "Consensus on Wound Antisepsis: Update 2018". Skin Pharmacology and Physiology. 31 (1): 28–58. doi:10.1159/000481545. ISSN 1660-5527. PMID 29262416. S2CID 3601026.
10. ^ Slater K, Cooke M, Fullerton F, Whitby M, Hay J, Lingard S, et al. (September 2020). "Peripheral intravenous catheter needleless connector decontamination study-Randomized controlled trial". American Journal of Infection Control. 48 (9): 1013–1018. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2019.11.030. PMID 31928890. S2CID 210193248.
11. ^ Slater K, Fullerton F, Cooke M, Snell S, Rickard CM (September 2018). "Needleless connector drying time-how long does it take?". American Journal of Infection Control. 46 (9): 1080–1081. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2018.05.007. PMID 29880433. S2CID 46968733.
12. ^ Fleischer W, Reimer K (1997). "Povidone-iodine in antisepsis--state of the art". Dermatology. 195 (Suppl 2): 3–9. doi:10.1159/000246022. PMID 9403248.
13. ^ Rose H, Baldwin A, Dowson CG, Mahenthiralingam E (March 2009). "Biocide susceptibility of the Burkholderia cepacia complex". The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. 63 (3): 502–10. doi:10.1093/jac/dkn540. PMC 2640157. PMID 19153076.
14. ^ Martin I, Sawatzky P, Liu G, Mulvey MR (February 2015). "Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Canada: 2009-2013". Canada Communicable Disease Report. 41 (2): 35–41. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001862.pub3. PMC 6457593.
15. ^ Najafi Bi R, Samani SM, Pishva N, Moheimani F (2003). "Formulation and Clinical Evaluation of Povidone-Iodine Ophthalmic Drop". Iranian Journal of Pharmaceuticical Research. 2 (3): 157–160.
16. ^ Agarwal R, Khan A, Aggarwal AN, Gupta D (March 2012). "Efficacy & safety of iodopovidone pleurodesis: a systematic review & meta-analysis". The Indian Journal of Medical Research. 135 (3): 297–304. PMC 3361864. PMID 22561614.
17. ^ a b c Jasek W, ed. (2007). Austria-Codex (in German) (62nd ed.). Vienna: Österreichischer Apothekerverlag (Austrian pharmacist publishing company). pp. 983–5. ISBN 978-3-85200-181-4. Archived from the original on 22 February 2022.
18. ^ Niedner R (1997). "Cytotoxicity and sensitization of povidone-iodine and other frequently used anti-infective agents". Dermatology. 195 (Suppl 2): 89–92. doi:10.1159/000246038. PMID 9403263.
19. ^ Kutscher, Bernhard (2020). "Dermatologicals (D), 4. Antiseptics and Disinfectants (D08), Anti‐Acne Preparations (D10), and Other Dermatological Preparations (D11)". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. pp. 1–22. doi:10.1002/14356007.w08_w03. ISBN 9783527303854. S2CID 225472250. Archived from the original on 2022-02-22. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
20. ^ U.S. Patent 2,739,922
21. ^ Sneader W (23 June 2005). Drug Discovery: A History. New York: John Wiley & Sons. p. 68\. ISBN 9780471899792. OCLC 318418088.
22. ^ a b Simmons TJ, Lee SH, Park TJ, Hashim DP, Ajayan PM, Linhardt RJ (2009). "Antiseptic Single Wall Carbon Nanotube Bandages" (PDF). Carbon. 47 (6): 1561–1564. doi:10.1016/j.carbon.2009.02.005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-06-21.
23. ^ Makhayeva, Danelya N.; Irmukhametova, Galiya S.; Khutoryanskiy, Vitaliy V. (2023-11-08). "ADVANCES IN ANTIMICROBIAL POLYMERIC IODOPHORS". European Polymer Journal: 112573. doi:10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2023.112573. ISSN 0014-3057.
24. ^ Simmons TJ, Hashim D, Vajtai R, Ajayan PM (August 2007). "Large area-aligned arrays from direct deposition of single-wall carbon nanotube inks". Journal of the American Chemical Society. 129 (33): 10088–9. doi:10.1021/ja073745e. PMID 17663555.

## Further reading[edit]

* Wong RH, Hung EC, Wong VW, Wan IY, Ng CS, Wan S, Underwood MJ (2009). "Povidone-iodine wound irrigation: A word of caution". Surgical Practice. 13 (4): 123–4. doi:10.1111/j.1744-1633.2009.00461.x. S2CID 71797553.
* Wong RH, Wong VW, Hung EC, Lee PY, Ng CS, Wan IY, Underwood MJ (2011). "Topical application of povidone-iodine before wound closure is associated with significant increase in serum iodine level". Surgical Practice. 19 (3): 79–82. doi:10.1111/j.1744-1633.2011.00547.x. S2CID 70528331.
* Wong RH, Ng CS, Underwood MJ (May 2012). "Iodine pleurodesis--a word of caution". European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. 41 (5): 1209. doi:10.1093/ejcts/ezr137. PMID 22219431.

## External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Povidone-iodine.

* "Povidone-iodine". Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine.

* v
* t
* e

Antiseptics and disinfectants (D08)

Acridine derivatives|

* Ethacridine lactate
* 9-Aminoacridine
* Euflavine

Biguanides and amidines|

* Dibrompropamidine
* Chlorhexidine#
* Propamidine
* Hexamidine
* Polihexanide

Phenol and derivatives|

* Hexachlorophene
* Policresulen
* Phenol
* Triclosan
* Triclocarban
* Chloroxylenol#
* Biphenylol
* Fenticlor

Nitrofuran derivatives|

* Nitrofurazone

Iodine products|

* Iodine/octylphenoxypolyglycolether
* Povidone-iodine#
* Diiodohydroxypropane

Quinoline derivatives|

* Dequalinium
* Chlorquinaldol
* Oxyquinoline
* Clioquinol

Quaternary ammonium compounds|

* Benzalkonium
* Benzethonium chloride
* Cetrimonium (bromide/chloride)
* Cetylpyridinium
* Cetrimide
* Benzoxonium chloride
* Didecyldimethylammonium chloride

Mercurial products|

* Mercuric amidochloride
* Phenylmercuric borate
* Mercuric chloride
* Merbromin
* Nitromersol
* Thiomersal
* Mercuric iodide

Silver compounds|

* Silver nitrate

Alcohols|

* Propanol (propyl alcohol)
* Isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol)
* Ethanol (ethyl alcohol)#

Other|

* Potassium permanganate
* Sodium hypochlorite
* Halazone
* Monalazone
* Hydrogen peroxide
* Eosin
* Chloramine-T (tosylchloramide)
* Octenidine dihydrochloride

* #WHO-EM
* ‡Withdrawn from market
* Clinical trials:
* †Phase III
* §Never to phase III

* v
* t
* e

Medicated dressings (D09)

Ointment dressings
with anti-infectives|

* Aluminium chlorohydrate
* Benzalkonium
* Benzododecinium
* Cetylpyridinium
* Chlorhexidine
* Clioquinol
* Framycetin
* Fusidic acid
* Iodoform
* Nitrofural
* Phenylmercuric nitrate
* Povidone-iodine
* Triclosan

Other|

* Soft paraffin dressings
* Zinc bandages

* v
* t
* e

Other dermatological preparations (D11)

Anti-seborrheics|

* Antiandrogens
* Bicalutamide
* Cyproterone acetate
* Flutamide
* Spironolactone
* Antifungals
* Bifonazole
* Cetrimonium bromide (cetrimide)
* Ciclopirox olamine (ciclopirox)
* Climbazole
* Clotrimazole
* Ketoconazole
* Miconazole
* Piroctone olamine
* Selenium disulfide (selenium sulfide)
* Xenysalate
* Zinc pyrithione (pyrithione zinc)
* Antihistamines
* Calcineurin inhibitors
* Cyclosporin
* Pimecrolimus
* Tacrolimus
* Isotretinoin
* Keratolytics
* Coal tar
* Resorcinol
* Salicylic acid
* Sulfur
* Urea (urea-containing cream)
* Lithium salts
* Lithium gluconate
* Lithium succinate
* Topical corticosteroids (e.g., hydrocortisone)

Skin lightening|

* Hydroquinone
* Mequinol
* Monobenzone

Skin darkening|

* Afamelanotide
* Melanotan II

Anti-inflammatories|

* Oxaceprol
* Gamolenic acid
* Pimecrolimus
* Tacrolimus
* Alitretinoin
* Topical corticosteroids (e.g., hydrocortisone)

Alopecia treatments|

* 5α-Reductase inhibitors
* Alfatradiol
* Dutasteride
* Finasteride
* Saw palmetto extract
* Antiandrogens
* Bicalutamide
* Cyproterone acetate
* Flutamide
* Spironolactone
* Topilutamide (fluridil)
* Potassium channel openers
* Minoxidil
* Others
* Nepidermin

Hair growth inhibitors|

* 5α-Reductase inhibitors
* Dutasteride
* Finasteride
* Antiandrogens
* Bicalutamide
* Cyproterone acetate
* Flutamide
* Spironolactone
* Eflornithine

Others|

* Abrocitinib
* Aminobenzoate potassium
* Androgens (e.g., testosterone)
* Brimonidine
* Caffeine
* Calcium gluconate
* Collagen
* Crisaborole
* Cromoglicic acid
* Deoxycholic acid
* Diclofenac
* Dupilumab
* Estrogens (e.g., estradiol)
* Glycopyrronium tosylate
* Hyaluronic acid
* Hydrogen peroxide
* Ivermectin
* Magnesium sulfate
* Metandienone
* Oxymetazoline
* Pregnenolone acetate
* Progestogens (e.g., progesterone)
* Povidone-iodine
* Tiratricol
* Tralokinumab

* v
* t
* e

Gynecological anti-infectives and antiseptics (G01)

Antibiotics|

* Candicidin
* Chloramphenicol
* Hachimycin
* Oxytetracycline
* Carfecillin
* Mepartricin
* Clindamycin
* Pentamycin

Arsenic compounds|

* Acetarsol

Quinoline derivatives|

* Diiodohydroxyquinoline
* Clioquinol
* Chlorquinaldol
* Dequalinium
* Broxyquinoline
* Oxyquinoline

Organic acids|

* Lactic acid
* Acetic acid
* Ascorbic acid

Sulfonamides|

* Sulfatolamide

Antifungals|

| Imidazoles|

* Metronidazole
* Clotrimazole
* Miconazole
* Econazole
* Ornidazole
* Isoconazole
* Tioconazole
* Ketoconazole
* Fenticonazole
* Azanidazole
* Propenidazole
* Butoconazole
* Omoconazole
* Oxiconazole
* Flutrimazole

|

Triazoles|

* Terconazole

Polyenes|

* Nystatin
* Natamycin
* Amphotericin B

Other|

* Ciclopirox
* Methylrosaniline

Other|

* Clodantoin
* Inosine
* Policresulen
* Nifuratel
* Furazolidone
* Povidone-iodine
* Protiofate
* Lactobacillus fermentum
* Copper usnate

* v
* t
* e

Throat preparations (R02)

Antiseptics|

* Acriflavinium chloride
* Ambazone
* Amylmetacresol
* Benzalkonium
* Benzethonium
* Cetrimonium (bromide/chloride)
* Cetylpyridinium
* Chlorhexidine
* Chlorquinaldol
* Dequalinium
* Dichlorobenzyl alcohol
* Hexamidine
* Hexetidine
* Hexylresorcinol
* Myristyl-benzalkonium
* Oxyquinoline
* Phenol
* Povidone-iodine

Antibiotics|

* Bacitracin
* Fusafungine
* Gramicidin
* Neomycin
* Tyrothricin

Local anesthetics|

* Benzocaine
* Cocaine
* Dyclonine
* Lidocaine

Other|

* Flurbiprofen

Portal:

* Medicine

*[US]: United States
*[CID]: Compound ID
*[EPA]: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
*[a.k.a.]: also known as
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template