Polihexanide

Polihexanide is a colorless and odorless, well-tolerated biguanide antiseptic, related to chlorhexidine, which is used in medicine to treat large wounds. It is also increasingly used as a preservative in the cosmetics industry. Another area of application is treatment of the oral cavity and conjunctiva.

Polihexanide is characterized by a wide range of efficacy, including against enterococci and methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRSA). Polyhexanide achieves its disinfecting effect by binding to the cell walls of the pathogens and irreversibly damaging them. Polyhexanide has a bactericidal effect even in very low concentrations. The effect occurs more slowly than with antiseptics such as octenidine, chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine.

Adjuvant antiseptic treatment of wounds, e.g. after surgical debridement. Also used for disinfecting surfaces and instruments, as a swimming pool disinfectant and as a disinfectant in contact lens cleaning products. Usual concentrations are 0.01-0.04 %, in pharmaceuticals up to 0.1 %.

Both Type I and Type IV sensitization can occur. Contact allergic dermatitis, contact urticaria, anaphylactic system reactions after local application are described.

Polihexanide gel, hydrophilic 0.04/0.01% (NRF 11.131.)

Lavanid® wound irrigation solution, Lavanid® wound gel, Lavasept® , Lavasorb® wound irrigation solution, Lysoform®

1. Creytens K et al(2014) Contact urticaria syndrome caused by polyaminopropyl biguanide in wipes for intimate hygiene. Contact dermatitis 71:307-309.
2. Kautz O et al.(2010) Severe anaphylaxis to the antiseptic polyhexanide. Allergy 65:1068-1070.
3. Laughing band JM (2014) A comparison of the irritant and allergenic properties of antiseptics. Eur J Dermatol 24:3-9.
4. Olivieri J et al (1998) Severe anaphylaxis to a new disinfectant: polyhexanide, a chlorhexidine polymer. Switzerland Med Weekly 128:1508-1511.