Povidone Iodine
About Povidone Iodine
Povidone Iodine belongs to the class of 'antiseptics and disinfectants' primarily used to treat common skin infections. It treats and prevents skin infections in minor burns, lacerations (deep cut in the skin), cuts, and abrasions (the first layer of skin is scraped off). Skin infection occurs when foreign microorganisms like fungus or bacteria invade the skin and affect the tissues.
Povidone Iodine contains Povidone Iodine. It works by inhibiting the growth of infection-causing microbes. As a small molecule, iodine can easily penetrate microorganisms and oxidizes essential proteins, nucleotides, and fatty acids, leading to cell death. Povidone Iodine is effective against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa.
Povidone Iodine is for external use only. Povidone Iodine may cause common side effects like red or inflamed skin, peeling skin, dry skin, and irritation at the application site. These side effects gradually resolve during the treatment and do not require medical attention. However, if the side effects persist longer, please seek medical help.
Brief your medical history to the doctor if you are allergic to iodine or povidone. Let your doctor know if you have thyroid diseases, liver, and kidney problems before starting Povidone Iodine. Please tell your doctor if you are undergoing any lithium therapy or radioactive iodine treatment. Do not use Povidone Iodine before or after radioiodine scintigraphy or radioiodine treatment of thyroid carcinoma. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or are a lactating mother before using Povidone Iodine.
Uses of Povidone Iodine
Medicinal Benefits
Povidone Iodine is an antiseptic and disinfectant used to treat and prevent skin infections in minor burns, lacerations (deep cuts in the skin), cuts, and abrasions (the first layer of skin is scraped off). It works by inhibiting the growth of infection-causing microbes. Povidone Iodine is effective against bacteria (gram-positive and gram-negative, including antibiotic-resistant and antiseptic-resistant strains), fungi, viruses, and protozoa.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Povidone Iodine
- Red or inflamed skin
- Peeling skin
- Dry skin
- Irritation at the application site
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Skin infection: A skin infection can occur when the skin is broken, cut or wounded. This skin infection allows the pathogenic microorganisms to enter and invade the tissues surrounding the wound. It can be caused by bacteria, fungus, viruses or parasites. Symptoms include redness, pain, and tenderness of the skin, minor bumps or boils, rashes, blisters, cracked/dry skin, swelling, stinging or burning sensation, pus formation, and itching. It can be treated using topical antibiotics. Sometimes, for a severe infection, an oral antibiotic may be required.
FAQs
Povidone Iodine works by inhibiting the growth of infection-causing microbes. As a small molecule, Iodine in Povidone Iodine can easily penetrate microorganisms and oxidises essential proteins, nucleotides, and fatty acids, leading to cell death.
Povidone Iodine is for external use only. Do not swallow or put Povidone Iodine in the eyes. Please read the instructions leaflet of Povidone Iodine carefully before using. Your doctor will decide the dose and duration based on your condition.
Povidone Iodine is not recommended for use if you are undergoing any lithium therapy or treatment involving radioactive iodine. Povidone Iodine should not be used before or after radioiodine scintigraphy or radioiodine treatment of thyroid carcinoma. In such conditions, please consult your doctor before using Povidone Iodine.
Povidone Iodine may interfere with thyroid function tests due to iodine absorption. Please consult your doctor before starting Povidone Iodine if you have any history of thyroid problems. Povidone Iodine may also show false-positive lab results, such as tests with toluidine or gum guaiac, to determine haemoglobin or glucose in the stool or the urine.
Please consult your doctor if you are using any other topical medicines before starting Povidone Iodine. However, products containing enzymatic component, alkali, mercury, silver, hydrogen peroxide, tannic acid, and taurolidine may interact with Povidone Iodine and should not be used simultaneously.