Polyhexanide

Polyhexanide
Names

Other names Polyhexamethylene biguanide; Polyhexamethylene guanide; Poly(iminoimidocarbonyl-iminoimidocarbonyl-iminohexamethylene) Hydrochloride; Poly(hexamethylenebiguanide); Polihexanide
Identifiers
CAS Number	28757-47-3^Y 32289-58-0 (HCl)^Y
Abbreviations	PHMB
ChEBI	CHEBI:149520
ChemSpider	none
UNII	322U039GMF^Y 4XI6112496 (HCl)^Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID7041099
Properties
Chemical formula	(C₈H₁₇N₅)_n
Pharmacology
ATC code	D08AC05 (WHO) S01AX24 (WHO)
Hazards
GHS labelling:^[1]
Pictograms
Signal word	Danger
Hazard statements	H302, H317, H318, H330, H351, H372, H410
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). N verify (what is ^YN ?) Infobox references

Chemical compound

Polyhexanide (polyhexamethylene biguanide, PHMB) is a polymer used as a disinfectant and antiseptic. In dermatological use,^[2] it is spelled polihexanide (INN) and sold under the names Lavasept, Serasept, Prontosan, and TEBASEPT.^[3] PHMB has been shown to be effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Aspergillus brasiliensis, enterococci, and Klebsiella pneumoniae.^[4]

Products containing PHMB are used for inter-operative irrigation, pre- and post-surgery skin and mucous membrane disinfection, post-operative dressings, surgical and non-surgical wound dressings, surgical bath/hydrotherapy, chronic wounds like diabetic foot ulcer and burn wound management, routine antisepsis during minor incisions, catheterization, first aid, surface disinfection, and linen disinfection.^[5] ^[6] PHMB eye drops have been used as a treatment for eyes affected by Acanthamoeba keratitis.^[7]

It is sold as a swimming pool and spa disinfectant in place of chlorine or bromine based products under the name Baquacil.

PHMB is also used as an ingredient in some contact lens cleaning products, cosmetics, personal deodorants and some veterinary products. It is also used to treat clothing (Purista), purportedly to prevent the development of unpleasant odors.

The PHMB hydrochloride salt (solution) is used in the majority of formulations.

Safety

In 2011, Polyhexamethylenbiguanide was classified as category 2 carcinogen by the European Chemical Agency, but it is still allowed in cosmetics in small quantities if exposure by inhalation is impossible.

Name controversy

In some sources, particularly when listed as a cosmetics ingredient (INCI), the polymer is wrongly named as Polyaminopropyl biguanide^[8] ^[9]

References

^ "Classification and Labelling of PHMB". European Chemicals Agency.
^ Ansorg R, Rath PM, Fabry W (2003). "Inhibition of the anti-staphylococcal activity of the antiseptic polihexanide by mucin". Arzneimittel-Forschung. 53 (5): 368–71. doi:10.1055/s-0031-1297121. PMID 12854364. S2CID 33172373.
^ International Drug Names: Polihexanide
^ Maribeth Cousin, Kimberly Restivo, Chelsea Rodriguez, and Justin Lien. USP Antimicrobial Effectiveness Test (GLP). Elkhorn, WI: Geneva Laboratories. 2013. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-04-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ "Nusept". Archived from the original on 2012-03-25. Retrieved 2011-06-08.
^ Rippon, Mark G.; Rogers, Alan A.; Ousey, Karen (2023-01-02). "Polyhexamethylene biguanide and its antimicrobial role in wound healing: a narrative review". J Wound Care. 32 (1): 5–20. doi:10.12968/jowc.2023.32.1.5.
^ Alkharashi M, Lindsley K, Law HA, Sikder S (2015). "Medical interventions for acanthamoeba keratitis". Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 (2): CD0010792. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010792.pub2. PMC 4730543. PMID 25710134.
^ Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel (May 12, 2014). "Safety Assessment of Polyaminopropyl Biguanide as Used in Cosmetics" (PDF). Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR). Retrieved 2024-05-07.
^ Sukakul, Thanisorn; Dahlin, Jakob; Pontén, Ann; Antelmi, Annarita; Bruze, Magnus; Hamnerius, Nils; Hauksson, Inese; Isaksson, Marléne; Lejding, Tina; Svedman, Cecilia (2021). "Contact allergy to polyhexamethylene biguanide (polyaminopropyl biguanide)". Contact Dermatitis. 84 (5): 326–331. doi:10.1111/cod.13728. PMC 8048451. PMID 33098110.