Drug

Betaisodona® oral antiseptic

Introduction - What is Betaisodona® oral antiseptic?

Betaisodona® oral antiseptic is a drug used to prevent and treat infections in the mouth. In contrast to an antibiotic, which is able to specifically fight disease-causing bacteria and possibly fungi throughout the body, the antiseptic only works locally in the area of application and can effectively fight pathogenic germs there.

It is therefore mainly used in the context of surgical interventions and for the care of wounds. Betaisodona® oral antiseptic uses the active ingredient povidone-iodine, which has a germicidal effect similar to the well-known tincture of iodine (iodine solution in alcohol). Compared to tincture of iodine, there is a significantly lower risk of allergic reactions and burning pain when using povidone-iodine and it is more effective. Therefore, iodine solution is hardly used nowadays.

Indications for Betaisodona® mouthwash

During (dental) medical interventions in the oral cavity, especially if the dental hygiene is poor, there is a risk that bacteria will get into the bloodstream and cause bacterial poisoning (Bacteremia) to lead. The feared consequences are blood poisoning (sepsis) with high mortality and inflammation of the lining of the heart (Endocarditis), from which around half of those affected also die. For prevention, e.g. Betaisodona® oral antiseptic used.

Another indication for the application is the treatment of infections in the mouth area, as it mainly occurs in patients with weakened immune systems (e.g. blood cancer, organ transplants, patients with AIDS, etc.). Above all, the effect against pathogenic fungi is used here. Betaisodona® oral antiseptic can also be used for oral inflammation during local radiation therapy - for malignant tumor diseases - to prevent infection of the damaged mucous membrane.

Active ingredient, effect

The active ingredient of Betaisodona® oral antiseptic is povidone-iodine, which consists of about 10% iodine. It works by slowly releasing iodine, which has an oxidizing and therefore cell-damaging effect on bacteria, fungi, spores and protozoa.

The iodine also causes the active ingredient's brown color, which indicates its effectiveness. If stored too long, discoloration will occur and the antiseptic will no longer work properly.

You can find more on the subject at: Betaisodona

side effect

When using Betaisodona® oral antiseptic, there are seldom side effects. Less than 1 in 1000 people experience hypersensitivity reactions of the skin, which can be delayed as burning, reddening, itching or blisters. A very rare side effect (less than 1 in 10,000 people treated) is an acute general allergic reaction with general swelling of the skin and mucous membranes, low blood pressure and shortness of breath.

All drugs containing iodine can generally cause thyroid disorders. This occurs especially with existing thyroid diseases, e.g. in the case of overactive thyroid diseases or long-term goiter caused by iodine deficiency, as the thyroid has got used to very low iodine levels. Therefore, in the case of known thyroid diseases, the application must be carefully considered.

However, Betaisodona® oral antiseptic is only absorbed by the circulation to a very small extent, so the risk of side effects on the thyroid is low. These are expressed, for example, by sweating, a sensation of warmth, restlessness, tremors, irritability and agitation and a fast heartbeat. However, these side effects are also very rare.

interaction

Since Betaisodona® oral antiseptic only works locally, there are few interactions with other medications. Betaisodona® should never be used together with disinfectants containing mercury, as this can produce corrosive mercury iodide. However, drugs containing mercury are practically no longer used today.

Other disinfectants such as silver sulfadiazine, hydrogen peroxide, octenidine and taurolidine can weaken the effect of Betaisodona® and should therefore not be used in combination.

The use of Betaisodona® when taking lithium preparations can lead to an underactive thyroid.

Effectiveness of the pill

Betaisodona® oral antiseptic does not change the effectiveness of the pill.

Contraindications - When should Betaisodona® oral antiseptic not be used?

Betaisodona® oral antiseptic must not be used if the thyroid is overactive (Hyperthyroidism) or if the thyroid gland is inflamed.

Betaisodona® must also not be used for the chronic skin disease dermatitis herpetiformis Duhring.

Another contraindication is known hypersensitivity to the active ingredient. In addition, the drug must not be used before or during planned radioiodine therapy. The reason for this is that radioiodine therapy works by absorbing radioactive iodine into the thyroid cells, which causes them to die (e.g. in thyroid cancer). Before or during this therapy, the body must not be given iodine so that the thyroid cells are iodine deficient and can absorb the radioactive iodine well.

In children, care must be taken to use the drug correctly; in infants under 6 months of age, it may only be given on medical advice and under control of the thyroid function.

Dosage - How Often?

For surgical interventions such as Betaisodona® applied once with an exposure time of at least 30 seconds.

For permanent use, the drug is applied several times a day in the oral cavity as a rinse.

How do I use Betaisodona® oral antiseptic correctly?

The preparation is usually diluted with warm tap water according to the package insert. A common dosage is a 1: 4 ratio. The solution is held in the oral cavity as a rinsing solution for at least 30 seconds and then spat out. Under no circumstances should the drug be swallowed to avoid a systemic effect.

Can I gargle with it?

Betaisodona® oral antiseptic is suitable for local use in the oral cavity and should not be spread generously in the ear, nose and throat area or swallowed.

However, there are also preparations as gargles that are suitable for this purpose. However, at best, antiseptics should only be used if there is a medical indication and use as a gargle should be prescribed by a doctor. The risk of side effects due to the active ingredient being absorbed into the bloodstream increases significantly if it is used improperly.

Read more on the topic:

Meridol mouthwash and Chlorhexamed
Medicines for gum inflammation

How long is Betaisodona® oral antiseptic stable and can I still use it after it has expired?

The expiration date of Betaisodona® oral antiseptic can be found on the medication package. After the shelf life has expired, a reliable effect can no longer be guaranteed. If the preparation loses its brown color, it should also no longer be used.

price

The drug is available for around 10 € for 100ml solution.

Does Betaisodona® oral antiseptic require a prescription?

Betaisodona® oral antiseptic is a pharmacy-only, but not a prescription drug.

Can be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Betaisodona® may only be used during pregnancy on a doctor's order; the thyroid values of the unborn child must be checked.

There are no restrictions on use during breastfeeding.

Read more on the topic: Medication in Pregnancy

What other forms of Betaisodona® are there?

Betaisodona® or the active ingredient povidone-iodine is also available as an ointment, gargle solution, soap and as a solution for disinfecting the skin and for wound antisepsis.

The solution can also be used on other mucosal areas, for example in the genital area.

Read more on the topic:

Betaisodona® ointment
Betaisodona® spray
Betaisodona® solution
Betaisodona® wound gel

Alternatives to Betaisodona® oral antiseptic

Alternatives to Betaisodona® oral antiseptics are octenidine-containing antiseptics (e.g. Octenisept) and preparations containing chlorhexidine (e.g. Corsodyl). The latter may not be used for longer than two weeks due to the possible tumor-inducing effect.

Read more on the topic: