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 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 world over.