What is Povidone?

Povidone is completely soluble in cold and mild-warm water, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, and glycerol. Its stability in solution is much greater than that of tincture of iodine or Lugol's solution. Its CAS NO is 9003-39-8.

It was discovered at the Industrial Toxicology Laboratories in Philadelphia by H. A. Shelanski and M. V. Shelanski. They carried out tests in vitro to demonstrate anti-bacterial activity, and found that the complex was less toxic than tincture of iodine in mice. Human clinical trials showed the product to be superior to other iodine formulations. It was first sold in 1955, and has since become the universally preferred iodine antiseptic.

Free iodine, slowly liberated from the povidone complex in solution, it kills eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells through iodination of lipids and oxidation of cytoplasmic and membrane compounds. This agent exhibits a broad range of microbicidal activity against bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses. Slow release of iodine from the PVPI complex in solution minimizes iodine toxicity towards mammalian cells.

Povidone is a broad spectrum antiseptic for topical application in the treatment and prevention of infection in wounds. It may be used in first aid for minor cuts, grazes, burns, abrasions and blisters.

Following the discovery of iodine by Bernard Courtois in 1811, it has been broadly used for the prevention and treatment of skin infections, and the treatment of wounds. Iodine has been recognized as an effective broad-spectrum bactericide, and it is also effective against yeasts, molds, fungi, viruses, and protozoans. Drawbacks to its use in the form of aqueous solutions include irritation at the site of application, toxicity and the staining of surrounding tissues. These deficiencies were overcome by the discovery and use of POVIDONE, in which the iodine is carried in a complexed form and the concentration of free iodine is very low.

The product thus serves as an iodophor. In addition, it has been demonstrated that bacteria do not develop resistance to Povidone, and the sensitization rate to the product is only 0.7% Consequently, Povidone has found broad application in medicine as a surgical scrub; for pre- and post-operative skin cleansing; for the treatment and prevention of infections in wounds, ulcers, cuts and burns; for the treatment of infections in decubitus ulcers and stasis ulcers; in gynecology for vaginitis associated with candidal, trichomonal or mixed infections.

For these purposes Povidone has been formulated at concentrations of 7.5–10.0% in solution, spray, surgical scrub, ointment, and swab dosage forms. It is available without a prescription under the generic name povidone-iodine or the brand name Polydine and Betadine.

It is used in pleurodesis (fusion of the pleura because of incessant pleural effusions). For this purpose, povidone-iodine is equally effective and safe as talc, and may be preferred because of easy availability and low cost.

2.5 percent of buffered Povidone solution can be used for prophylaxis of neonatal conjunctivitis (Ophthalmia neonatorum) which can lead to blindness, especially if it is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, or Chlamydia trachomatis. Povidone appears to be very suitable for this purpose because unlike other substances it is efficient also against fungi and viruses (including HIV and Herpes simplex).

Povidone can be loaded into hydrogels (based on carboxymethyl cellulose, poly(vinyl alcohol) and gelatin, or on crosslinked polyacrylamide). These hydrogels can be used for wound dressing. The rate of release of the iodine in the POVIDONE is heavily dependent on the hydrogel composition. The release rate increases with more CMC/PVA and decreases with more gelatin.

Povidone can also be used to reduce skin damage from mustard gas, although it must be applied immediately post-exposure to have any effect, and mustard gas exposure is usually not noticed until the onset of skin irritation, by which point POVIDONE administration is useless.

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