benzalkonium chloride

[ben″zal-ko´ne-um]

a quaternary ammonium compound used as a surface disinfectant and detergent, topical antiseptic, and antimicrobial preservative.

ben·zal·ko·ni·um chlo·ride

(ben'zal-kō'nē-ŭm klōr'īd),

A mixture of alkylbenzyldimethylammonium chlorides in which the alkyls are long-chain compounds (C₈ to C₁₈); a surface-active germicide for many pathogenic nonsporulating bacteria and fungi. Aqueous solutions of this agent have a low surface tension, and possess detergent, keratolytic, and emulsifying properties that aid penetration and wetting of tissue surfaces.

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

benzalkonium chloride

(bĕn′zăl-kō′nē-əm)

A yellow-white powder prepared in an aqueous solution and used as a detergent, fungicide, bactericide, and spermicide.

benzalkonium chloride

An antiseptic used in solution for skin and wound cleansing, as a means of sterilizing eye drops and contact lens solutions and as an ingredient in throat lozenges. Allergic reactions occur. Benzalkonium is included in Bradosol lozenges and, for external use only, in Conotrane, Dermol, Drapolene, Emulsiderm and Oilatum Plus.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

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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References in periodicals archive

Highly water soluble, light in color and essentially odorless, Lonzagard BKC cGMP Benzalkonium Chloride can be used in product formulations for consumer hand soaps, non-alcohol hand sanitizers, healthcare hand washes and sanitizing wipes.

Lonza presents triclosan alternative

Benzalkonium chloride NF 0.2 Propylene glycol 17.0 Alcoholic flavor solution 60.0

Novel personal care formulas, part II

The product is formulated with benzalkonium chloride, an active ingredient that is used as a sterilizing agent for surgical instruments and can be found in Bayer Corp.'s Bactine wound cleanser as well.

Fighting infections made easy. (Merchandising)

Acetylated lanolin alcohol softens and smoothes the hair, while glycerin retains moisture and benzalkonium chloride provides antistatic properties to neutralize frizz and improve wet and dry comb through.

Philip Kingsley minimizer offers maximum benefits

The 4-inch by 5-inch wipes use benzalkonium chloride to prevent infection and are designed primarily for use on minor cuts and burns.

Convenience Factor Gains in Importance

The cationic surface active agent is at least one agent selected from lauryl dihydroxyethyl amine, hexadecyl amine, hexadecyl hydroxyethyl amine, lauryl amine acetate, hexadecyl poly (15) hydroxy ethyl amine, lauryl dimethyl benzalkonium chloride, oleyl dihydroxyethyl methyl ammonium chloride and octadecyl dimethyl benzalkonium.

U.S. Patent No. 7,931,911 B2; Riken, Wako-Shi, Saitama, Japan

The company's new Curad Wound Wipes consist of alcohol, free nonwoven pads that have been impregnated with the antibacterial agent benzalkonium chloride to pick up dirt, help cleanse the wound and fight germs.

Easy-to-Use Wound Care for Consumers on the Go

The mild preservative is selected from esters, phenols, phenoxyethanol, paraben, methyl paraben, butyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, isobutyl paraben, isopropyl paraben, polyquaternium-1, benzalkonium chloride, sorbic acid, potassium sorbate, polyaminopropyl biguani-dine, diazolidinyl urea and any combinations thereof.

Non-irritating photoprotective composition