Description

CDC on Povidone-Iodine

Iodophors have largely replaced iodine as the active ingredients in antiseptics. The most common polymers incorporated into iodophors are polyvinylpyrrolidone (i.e, Povidone). Iodophors have bactericidal activity against gram-positive, gram-negative and certain spore-forming bacteria and are active against mycobacteria, viruses and fungi. Povidone-Iodine 5%-10% has been tentatively classified by FDA TFM as a category I agent (i.e. a safe and effective agent for use as an antiseptic hand wash and an HCW hand wash)

Typical 10% povidone-iodine formulation contains 1% available iodine and yields a free iodine concentration of 1ppm.

Typical 5% povidone-iodine formulation contains 0.5% available iodine and yields free iodine concentration of 0.5ppm.

Povidone-Iodine Advantages

Povidone-iodine has many potential advantages over some current popular medications, including broader antibacterial spectrum, lack of identifiable bacterial resistances and significantly lower price. It has made a significant contribution to pre and post-operative surgical prophylaxis the world over.