What is Betaisodona wound gel?
Betaisodona wound gel contains the active ingredient povidone iodine and belongs to the group of disinfectants. It is used as a germicidal agent, a so-called antiseptic, in the care of wounds. Betaisodona wound gel contains the active ingredient in the form of a gel and is used as a fungicide (anti-fungal agent), bactericide (against bacteria), sporocide (against spores) and as a virucide (anti-virus agent).
What is Betaisodona used for?
Betaisodona wound gel is used in the care of wounds in surgery and general medicine. Betaisodona wound gel can be used for the repeated, temporary treatment of burns, cuts and grazes, pressure sores and lower leg ulcers and infected skin diseases.
Compared to the well-known tincture of iodine, the antiseptic is better tolerated, especially in sensitive areas of the body such as the genital area and on mucous membranes. As a rule, there is no burning pain.
Learn more at: Betaisodona® ointment, Betaisodona
With an abscess
An abscess is an encapsulated collection of pus and is most often caused by bacterial infection. Depending on the size and location of the abscess, the treatment of choice is usually surgical removal (abscess splitting). Betaisodona gel or ointment can be used as a germicidal agent after the abscess has been opened. It disinfects and promotes quick healing.
For more information on this topic: Betaisodona and other therapy suggestions for abscesses
Can I use Betaisodona on open wounds?
Betaisodona wound gel is used on all open wounds that could become infected. This also includes open burns, pressure wounds and abrasions. Betaisodona wound gel is well tolerated and is also used in the genital area and on mucous membranes.
In contrast to betaisodona, iodine tincture burns due to the alcohol content when used on open wounds.
How often can I apply Betaisodona wound gel?
Betaisodona wound gel should be used as stated in the package insert or after consulting a doctor or pharmacist.
It is recommended to use it several times a day. The duration of use depends on the signs of infection. As long as there are signs of redness, warming, swelling, pain or impaired function, the wound gel should continue to be applied. If there is no improvement or new symptoms appear, a doctor must be consulted.
How do I apply the wound gel correctly?
Instructions for using the preparation are given in the package insert. If in doubt, a doctor or pharmacist should be consulted.
The recommendations for applying the ointment are as follows: The wound gel is applied to the diseased area several times a day. A spatula or finger can be used for this. When applying, make sure that it is evenly distributed. If necessary, a bandage can then be applied.
The color of the wound gel can serve as an indicator of its effectiveness. If discolored, the wound gel is no longer effective and should be reapplied. Use as long as there are signs of infection. Betaisodona wound gel should only be used externally, i.e. on the skin and mucous membrane.
In addition, due to possible interactions, it should not be used at the same time as other wound treatment agents.
Betaisodona in the genital area
Betaisodona wound gel can and may also be used in the genital area, for example in the case of wound infections with pathogens or abscesses in the genital area. However, it should only be used externally, i.e. not applied vaginally. As a rule, the ointment does not burn on open wounds, as it is an alcohol-free preparation. Before using Betaisodona wound gel in the intimate area, a doctor or pharmacist should be consulted in order to make a correct diagnosis and thus clarify whether the wound gel should be used.
Side effects
As with any medicine, Betaisodona wound gel can cause side effects, but these are usually less common. This includes hypersensitivity reactions, i.e. allergic reactions of the skin. This manifests itself as redness, itching or blisters on the skin. General allergic reactions with a drop in blood pressure, shortness of breath or swelling of the skin and mucous membranes (so-called angioedema) are very rare but serious side effects.
In addition, patients who are prone to hyperthyroidism may develop.When used over a large area, such as with burns, disturbances of the electrolyte balance can occur, which under certain circumstances can lead to damage to the kidneys and impairment of their function up to kidney failure. Indications of this are a decrease in the amount of urine, water retention, high blood pressure and irregular heartbeat, and other symptoms.
If these or other side effects occur when using Betaisodona wound gel, the application must be interrupted and a doctor or pharmacist should be consulted.
Interaction with other drugs
If several drugs are used at the same time, there can be interactions. Betaisodona wound gel also interacts with other drugs. The simultaneous use should be clarified beforehand with a doctor or pharmacist.
Betaisodona wound gel should not be used at the same time as hydrogen peroxide or other disinfectants, as this can weaken the effectiveness. It should also not be used with preparations containing mercury, as this can lead to corrosive compounds. Use together with agents containing octenidine can lead to discoloration. Betaisodona Gel must also not be used with taurolidine, a chemotherapeutic agent against fungi and bacteria. When taking lithium long-term, the gel should only be used for a short time. In addition, the effectiveness of Betaisodona Gel is reduced by protein, blood or components of pus.
Are there any interactions with the pill?
The local application of Betaisodona wound gel does not reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. The effect of the pill is not affected.
When can I not use Betaisodona?
Betaisodona can usually be used to treat infectious skin diseases. The rare chronic disease Dermatitis herpetiformis Duhring is an exception. Betaisodona wound gel must not be used if there is hypersensitivity to iodine. The iodine-containing preparation should also not be used in the event of an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) or before and after radioiodine therapy. If you are hypersensitive to the active ingredient povidone iodine or any of the other ingredients, the gel should not be used.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it must be discussed with your doctor or pharmacist beforehand. There is a risk of an overactive thyroid in the unborn child. Even when breastfeeding, iodine can cause overactive thyroid in children. The use in newborns and children should only be carried out on the instructions of the doctor, and regular checks of the thyroid function are required.
Betaisodona in pregnancy and lactation
Pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding should consult their doctor or pharmacist for advice on using any medicine. Betaisodona wound gel should only be used when instructed, as the active ingredient iodine can also pass to the child via the placenta or breast milk, especially when applied over a large area. This can lead to an overactive thyroid. Both mother and infant thyroid function should be monitored.
How long is Betaisodona wound gel stable?
Betaisodona should not be stored at temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius. As a rule, the gel has a shelf life of three years and should not be used after the date stated on the packaging and tube. Another indication of effectiveness is the red-brown color. The gel should not be used if it becomes discolored.
price
Betaisodona wound gel is the active ingredient povidone iodine in the form of gel, which is available from various suppliers at different prices. The wound gel, which is available without a prescription, usually costs between three and five euros for a 30 gram tube. There are also shipping costs, as the preparation in gel form is not available in Germany.
Does Betaisodona wound gel require a prescription?
Betaisodona does not require a prescription, which means that you do not need a doctor's prescription to purchase the preparation. However, Betaisodona is pharmacy-only, which means that it may only be dispensed to consumers in pharmacies and by specialists.
Alternatives to Betaisodona wound gel?
For the treatment of wounds and infected wounds, several antiseptic, i.e. germicidal, preparations are generally possible. Other ointments containing iodine include Braunovidon or Freka-Cid. Bepanthen® is an iodine-free alternative.
Home remedies can also be used to treat small, superficial wounds that are not severely infected. Chamomile is used, for example, and an envelope with diluted chamomile tea should be attached. When using tea tree oil, it should be noted that this is very irritating. Another antiseptic home remedy is honey.
If the symptoms and the infection of the skin wound do not go away, a doctor should be consulted.
Other forms of betaisodona
Betaisodona is available in different dosage forms. As a wound gel, it is currently only available in pharmacies in Switzerland and Austria. Betaisodona is sold as an ointment in Germany and used for infected wounds and burns on the skin and mucous membranes.
There is also the option to buy Betaisodona solution. This is a liquid form of the antiseptic, it is also used to disinfect skin and wounds. Since Betaisodona can also be used on mucous membranes, there are specially prepared oral antiseptics. The oral solution is recommended for surgical interventions to prevent local wound infections or for patients undergoing radiotherapy to prevent inflammation of the oral mucosa (mucositis) caused by radiation.
Find out more at: Betaisodona® solution
You can also buy wound gauze to which betaisodona has been added. This is a thin cotton fabric that is soaked with the active ingredient. The gauzes are also suitable for infected wounds or burns and at the same time provide a cover.
Active ingredient
The active ingredient in Betaisodona wound gel is povidone-iodine, an active ingredient from the group of antiseptics, the germicidal agents. It is applied topically, i.e. on the affected skin area, to treat infected wounds. In the case of povidone iodine, the iodine acts as an active substance; it is released after it is applied to the skin. The disinfecting effect probably results from the formation of oxygen radicals when iodine comes into contact with moisture on the skin. Oxygen radicals are aggressive and reactive and thus damage bacteria, viruses, fungi and spores.
The brown color of the gel is also an indicator of its effectiveness. If the gel becomes discolored, it should be reapplied evenly to the infected area.
