Introduction

Name

• Benzalkonium chloride.

Class of drug

• Dermatological cleansing agent.
• Environmental disinfectant.

Description

Chemical name

• Mixture of alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chlorides.

Molecular weight

• Variable chain lengths

Physical properties

• White or yellow/white amorphous powder or gelatinous substance.
• Aromatic odor.
• Very bitter taste.
• Very water soluble.

Uses

Indications

• Skin disinfection pre-operatively.
• Skin disinfection of wounds or burns.
• Control of bacterial dermatitis.
• Hutch and feeding/watering utensil disinfection.

Administration

Precautions

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.

Other sources of information

• Tennant B (1999) Small Animal Formulary. 3rd edn. British Small Animal Veterinary Association. ISBN 0 905214 52 8.