Iodine is widely used as a disinfectant and antiseptic, frequently in a solution of alcohol and water containing potassium iodide. Several compounds of iodine, such as iodoform (CHI3), also serve as antiseptics.
- Iodine: It is found in Sea-water (traces) & Seaweeds Laminaria digitata.
- Any preparations which provide free Iodine are bactericidal, fungicidal, amoebicidal & virucidal.
Iodine is an oxidizing agent, and its bactericidal activity involves the inorganic form of I2.
Iodine is converted to thyroxine in the thyroid gland, a small amount of iodine is essential for the body, which contains an average of 14 mg (0.00049 ounces) of the element. Thyroxine is a hormone that is necessary for maintaining normal metabolism in all the body’s cells. In the absence of iodine in the water supply, however, goiter and myxedema are prevalent, and a small quantity of iodine in the form of potassium iodide (KI) is frequently added to the table salt in order to ensure against iodine deficiency.
Name of Preparation | Composition: (%w/v) | Use |
Weak Iodine Solution IP 1966/BP | 2% I2/ 2.5 KI % in purified water (no alcohol) | Antiseptic |
Aqueous Iodine Solution IP 1966 Note: Also Known as Strong Iodine Solution USP/Lugol’s Solution | 5% I2/ 10 % KI in purified water (no alcohol) | Source of Iodine |
Strong Iodine Solution IP 1966 | 10 % I2/6% KI in purified water 10 % & Alcohol (90%) q.s. | Antiseptic |
Iodine tincture USP | 2 % I2/ 2.4 % NaI (Use Sod. Iodide in Place of KI) | Antiseptic |
Note: As per IP 2010
Name of Preparation | Composition: (%w/v) | Use |
Povidone /Polyvinylpyrrolidone; Polyvidone | Povidone is poly(2-oxopyrrolidin-I-ylethylene) and consists of linear polymers of 1-vinylpyrrolidin-2-one | Pharmaceutical aid |
Povidone-Iodine Solution IP 2010 | Povidone-Iodine in Purified Water, may contain a small amount of Ethanol Betadine Ointment/Cream-5 per cent w/v; Betadine Scrub solution- 7.5 percent w/v; Betadine solution- 10 per cent w/v. | Antiseptic |
Povidone-Iodine Complex:-
Available Iodine in Povidone-Iodine Complex:-
5% w/v contain 0.5% of available iodine in complex form.
10% w/v contain 1.0% of available iodine in complex form.
1. Weak Iodine Solution B.P./I.P.
It contains 2.0% w/v of Iodine and 2.5% w/v of Potassium Iodide in purified water. It does not contain any alcohol.
Uses : Antiseptic.
2. Lugol’s solution/Aqueous Iodine Solution IP/BP or Strong Iodine U.S.P:
It is also known as (Strong Iodine U.S.P.)/ Lugol’s solution. It does not contain any alcohol. It contains 5.0% w/v of Iodine and 10.0% w/v of Potassium iodide in the purified water.
Uses: Source of Iodine.
3. Strong Iodine Solution
It contains 10.0% w/v of Iodine and 6% w/v of Potassium Iodide in purified water (10%) & Alcohol 90% in sufficient quantity to produce final solution.
Use: Antiseptic
4. Iodine tincture USP
It contains 2.0% w/v of Iodine and 2.4% w/v of Sodium Iodide (NaI) in diluted alcoholic solution.
POVIDONE IODINE (PVP – IODINE)
It is a complex of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and iodine-containing not less than 9% and not more than 12% W/V of available I2 (iodine). The complex is yellowish brown amorphous powder and has slight characteristic odour, its aqueous solution is acid to litmus. It is soluble in alcohol, but insoluble in organic solvents.
It is available as Aerosol and solution. The solution is a transparent liquid having reddish-brown colour and a pH of not more than 6.0.
Uses
Major advantages over other iodine preparation is lack of tissue irritation. Solutions are used for surgical scrubs and for pre-operative antisepsis for the skin. It is also used in gargles and mouth washes for the treatment of infections in the oral cavity.
Bibliography: References: IP 1966 & IP 2010