Cetrimonium bromide and cetrimide

General information

Cetrimonium bromide and cetrimide are quaternary ammonium antiseptics, trimethylammonium derivatives, with similar structures. Cetrimonium bromide is hexadecyltrimethylammonium. Cetrimide is a mixture of tetradecyltrimethylammonium (mostly), dodecyltrimethylammonium, and hexadecyltrimethylammonium. They dissociate in aqueous solution, forming a relatively large and complex cation, which is responsible for their surface activity, and a smaller inactive anion. They are emulsifiers and detergents and have bactericidal activity against Gram-positive and, at higher concentrations, some Gram-negative bacteria.

In three hospitals, 378 patients with hydatid cysts were treated surgically, including irrigation with cetrimide solutions in concentrations between 0.05 and 1% [ ]. No adverse reactions were observed.

Organs and systems