Cetrimide

Chemical properties

White or almost white, voluminous, free-flowing powder.

Chemical properties

Cetrimide is a white to creamy white, free-flowing powder, with a faint but characteristic odor and a bitter, soapy taste.

The Uses of Cetrimide

antiinfectives

Production Methods

Cetrimide is prepared by the condensation of suitable alkyl bromides and trimethylamine.

Definition

ChEBI: Cetrimide is an organic molecular entity.

Pharmaceutical Applications

Cetrimide is a quaternary ammonium compound that is used in cosmetics and pharmaceutical formulations as an antimicrobial preservative. It may also be used as a cationic surfactant. In eye-drops, it is used as a preservative at a concentration of 0.005% w/v. Therapeutically, cetrimide is used in relatively high concentrations, generally as 0.1–1.0% w/v aqueous solutions, cream or spray as a topical antiseptic for skin, burns, and wounds.(1) Solutions containing up to 10% w/v cetrimide are used as shampoos to remove the scales in seborrheic dermatitis. Cetrimide is also used as a cleanser and disinfectant for hard contact lenses, although it should not be used on soft lenses; as an ingredient of cetrimide emulsifying wax, and in o/w creams (e.g. cetrimide cream).

Safety

Most adverse effects reported relate to the therapeutic use of cetrimide. If ingested orally, cetrimide and other quaternary ammonium compounds can cause nausea, vomiting, muscle paralysis, CNS depression, and hypotension; concentrated solutions may cause esophageal damage and necrosis. The fatal oral human dose is estimated to be 1.0–3.0 g.
At the concentrations used topically, solutions do not generally cause irritation, although concentrated solutions have occasionally been reported to cause burns. Cases of hypersensitivity have been reported following repeated application.
Adverse effects that have been reported following irrigation of hydatid cysts with cetrimide solution include chemical peritonitis, methemoglobinemia with cyanosis, and metabolic disorders.

storage

Cetrimide is chemically stable in the dry state, and also in aqueous solution at ambient temperatures. Aqueous solutions may be sterilized by autoclaving. Water containing metal ions and organic matter may reduce the antimicrobial activity of cetrimide.
The bulk material should be stored in a well-closed container in a cool, dry place.

Incompatibilities

Incompatible with soaps, anionic surfactants, high concentrations of nonionic surfactants, bentonite, iodine, phenylmercuric nitrate, alkali hydroxides, and acid dyes. Aqueous solutions react with metals.

Regulatory Status

Included in nonparenteral medicines licensed in the UK. Included in the Canadian List of Acceptable Non-medicinal Ingredients.
Cetrimide is on the list of ‘Existing Active Substances’ on the market in the Europe, and is registered according to REACH regulation. Cetrimide is not present in any approved product in the USA.