benzalkonium chloride /ben·zal·ko·ni·um chlo·ride/ (ben″zal-ko´ne-um) a quaternary ammonium compound used as a surface disinfectant and detergent, topical antiseptic, and antimicrobial preservative.
benzalkonium chloride,
benz·al·ko·ni·um chloride (b n z l-k  n - m)n. A powder prepared in an aqueous solution and used as a fungicide, bactericide, and spermicide. |
benzalkonium chloride,
a disinfectant and fungicide prepared in an aqueous solution in various strengths.
benzalkonium chloride
a quaternary ammonium compound used as a surface disinfectant and detergent and as a topical antiseptic and antimicrobial preservative. See also zephiran.
antiseptic
An agent that kills or prevents the growth of bacteria. This term is generally restricted to agents that are sufficiently non-toxic for superficial application to living tissues. These include the preservatives for eye drops and contact lens solutions. Examples of antiseptics are alcohol, benzalkonium chloride, cetrimide, chlorbutanol, chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, thimerosal (or thiomersalate). Other agents that are too toxic to be applied to living tissues are called disinfectants and are used to sterilize instruments and apparatus. See disinfection; ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid; neutralization; sterilization.
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