Benzalkonium chloride is an ammonium substance that can be found in antiseptic and disinfectant products. This substance works by stopping the growth of several types of bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Benzalkonium chloride is often used as an ingredient in various medicinal products, such as eye drops, ear drops, or nasal sprays. In addition to medicinal products, these substances can also be found in shampoos, conditioners, or lotions.
Benzalkonium chloride trademark: Insto, Rohto, Y-Rins
What is Benzalkonium Chloride
| group | Free medicine |
| Category | Antiseptic and disinfectant |
| Benefit | Inhibits growth and kills microorganisms |
| Used by | Adults and children |
| Benzalkonium chloride for pregnant and lactating women | Category N: Not categorized. It is not known whether benzalkonium chloride is absorbed into breast milk or not. For breastfeeding mothers, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor |
| Drug form | Eye drops, eye cleaning solution, nasal spray, shampoo |
Precautions Before Using Benzalkonium Chloride
There are several things you need to pay attention to before using benzalkonium chloride, namely:
- Do not use products containing benzalkonium chloride if you are allergic to this ingredient. Always pay attention to the content contained in the product packaging. If in doubt, consult a doctor.
- Do not use benzalkonium chloride to clean contact lenses.
- Do not use benzalkonium chloride in children under 2 years of age.
- Consult the use of benzalkonium chloride or products containing this ingredient with your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements, or herbal products.
- Talk to your doctor if you want to use a product containing benzalkonium chloride on a large open wound, animal bite, or burn.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
- See your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction or overdose after using benzalkonium chloride.
Dosage and Instructions for Use of Benzalkonium Chloride
Benzalkonium chloride can be found in a variety of cleaning products and eye drops. The following is the content of benzalkonium chloride which is commonly contained in several types of products:
- Product: Cleansing skin, mucous membranes and wounds
0,01–0,1%
- Product: deep wound cleanser
0,005%
- Product: Bladder and urethra cleanser
0,005–0,02%
- Product: Flushing fluid in bladder retention
0,0025–0,005%
- Product: Disinfecting and storage of surgical instruments
0.13%, can be used with sodium nitrite to avoid corrosion.
- Product: Preservative in eye drops
0,01–0,02%
- Product: Preservative in ear and nose drops
0,002–0,2%
- Product: Shampoo to treat seborrheic dermatitis
0,2–0,5%
- Product: Cream for diaper rash and skin diseases
0,13%
- Product: Vaginal cleanser
0,02–0,05%
Dosage and how to use various products containing benzalkonium will be adjusted to the purpose and usage rules contained in the packaging. If in doubt, ask your doctor.
How to Use Benzalkonium Chloride Correctly
Follow the doctor's advice and read the directions on the medicine package. Do not increase or decrease the dose without the doctor's permission, because it is feared that it can worsen the condition experienced.
Use the drug regularly for maximum treatment results. See your doctor again if there is no improvement in your symptoms after you use the benzalkonium chloride product for the dose and duration recommended by your doctor.
Benzalkonium Chloride Interaction with Other Drugs
Eye drops containing benzalkonium chloride can cause an interaction effect in the form of an increased risk of visual disturbances when used with anesthetic eye drops.
To prevent drug interactions, tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements, or herbal products.
Side Effects and Dangers of Benzalkonium Chloride
Benzalkonium chloride can be found in a variety of cleaning products or as an ingredient in eye drops. For eye drops, some side effects that can occur are tear duct damage, damage to the surface of the cornea, or conjunctivitis
If products containing benzalkonium chloride are used on the skin, side effects may occur such as irritation, redness, or swelling of the skin.
See a doctor if the above side effects do not improve or get worse. You should also see a doctor immediately if you experience an allergic drug reaction, which can be characterized by swelling of the lips and eyelids, an itchy rash, or difficulty breathing, after using benzalkonium chloride.