2024-08-27
Benzalkonium Chloride
Benzalkonium chloride is widely used in inhalations, IM injections, nasal, ophthalmic, and topical preparations as an antimicrobial preservative, antiseptic, disinfectant, solubilizing and wetting agent. It is used in similarly to other cationic surfactants, such as cetrimide.In ophthalmic preparations, benzalkonium chloride is the preservative of choice and one of the most widely used preservatives, at concentrations of 0.01-0.02% w/v.Antimicrobial activity can be enhanced, particularly against strains of Pseudomonas, benzalkonium chloride, through combination with other preservatives or excipients, such as 0.1% w/v Disodium edetate, phenylethanol or chlorhexidine.In nasal formulations, benzalkonium chloride is used at a concentration of 0.002-0.02% w/v. Levels of 0.01% w/v have also been utilized in small-volume parenteral products.