Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario

Antiseptics

  • Some antiseptic and chemical agents have been shown to damage cells.
  • The use of topical antiseptics may be beneficial for short term use, particularly when bacterial levels are sufficiently high to cause tissue destruction and the goal of care is the maintenance of the wound.
  • Some antiseptics have been shown to be safe and efficacious for this purpose in wound care.

Antiseptic

In-vitro studies

support use

In-vivo studies

support use

Requires more

human trials to

assess efficacy and

safety

Level of Evidence

Acetic Acid

0.25% or 0.5%

Yes

Yes

 

A

Chlorhexadine

0.05% or 0.2%

Yes

Yes

Yes

 

Silver Compounds

Yes

Yes

 

A

Povidone Iodine

Yes

Yes

Yes

 

Cadexomer Iodine

Yes

Yes

 

A

Hydrogen Peroxide

3% Solution

 

 

Yes

 

Clinical Management
Assessment and Management of Venous Leg Ulcers
Point of Care Resources