Povidone Iodine+metronidazole
About
Povidone Iodine+metronidazole belongs to the class of dermatological preparation called 'antibiotics' combined with 'antiseptic' primarily used to treat the skin's burns and wounds. It also helps to treat wound infections after surgery. Povidone Iodine+metronidazole is abroad spectrum antibiotics which help in early wound healing. Povidone Iodine+metronidazole also prevents skin infection spread by harmful bacteria due to cuts, wounds and burns.
Povidone Iodine+metronidazole contains a combination of two medicines: Povidone-iodine and Metronidazole. Povidone Iodine can easily penetrate microorganisms and oxidise essential natural substances, leading to cell death. Metronidazole is an antibiotic which kills bacteria and other harmful organisms by damaging their DNA. Povidone Iodine+metronidazole has broad-spectrum activity and is effective against many microbes, including gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, fungi and protozoa. Povidone Iodine+metronidazole is used in degerming (physical removal of microbes), stasis ulcers (wound on the leg or ankle due to damaged veins), decubitus ulcers (bed sores) and the umbilical area.
Povidone Iodine+metronidazole is for external use only. Your doctor will decide the dose depending on the medical condition. Contact of Povidone Iodine+metronidazole with eye should be avoided; if you accidentally touch eyes while applying Povidone Iodine+metronidazole, please wash it immediately. Povidone Iodine+metronidazole has common side effects, as every medicine does. These include local swelling, itchiness, redness, small blisters and irritation at the application site. These side effects gradually resolve during the treatment and do not require medical attention.
Brief your medical history to the doctor if you are allergic to Povidone Iodine+metronidazole. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to conceive before using Povidone Iodine+metronidazole since it can affect the unborn baby. Using Povidone Iodine+metronidazole during breastfeeding may increase the iodine levels in the breastmilk, which can cause hypothyroidism in breastfed infants. Let your doctor know if you have an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), thyroid disease, or liver and kidney problems. Please tell your doctor if you are undergoing lithium therapy or radioactive iodine treatment. Povidone Iodine+metronidazole should not be used before or after radioiodine scintigraphy or radioiodine treatment of thyroid carcinoma.
Uses of Povidone Iodine+metronidazole
Medicinal Benefits
Povidone Iodine+metronidazole is a combination medication containing Povidone-iodine (antiseptic) and Metronidazole (antibiotic) primarily used to treat and prevent skin infections in minor burns, lacerations (deep cut in the skin), cuts, and abrasions (the first layer of skin is scraped off). It is also used to treat postoperative wound infections. Povidone-iodine is an antiseptic applied on skin infected or likely to get infected. It slowly releases iodine which kills or prevents the growth of these microorganisms. Metronidazole, being bactericidal in nature, kills the bacteria by damaging its genetic material (DNA) and preventing its growth, hence relieving the symptoms. Together, Povidone Iodine+metronidazole prevents the growth of the microorganisms and promotes early wound healing.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Povidone Iodine+metronidazole
- Local swelling
- Dry skin
- Irritation
- Redness
- Itchiness
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not use Povidone Iodine+metronidazole if you are allergic to povidone-iodine and metronidazole. Use Povidone Iodine+metronidazole for the full recommended length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of another disease resistant to antibiotics. Avoid contact with your eyes, nose, or mouth. Rinse it off with water if you accidentally get the cream in these areas. Let your doctor know if you have an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), any other thyroid diseases, or liver and kidney problems since the usage of Povidone Iodine+metronidazole can cause iodine absorption into the body. This iodine absorption may lead to a rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) and restlessness, imbalance of electrolytes, abnormal blood concentration (osmolarity), and abnormal kidney function (renal impairment). Please tell your doctor if you are undergoing lithium therapy or radioactive iodine treatment. Povidone Iodine+metronidazole should not be used before or after radioiodine scintigraphy or radioiodine treatment of thyroid carcinoma. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to conceive before using the Povidone Iodine+metronidazole since it can affect the unborn baby. Using Povidone Iodine+metronidazole during breastfeeding may increase the iodine levels in the breastmilk, which can cause hypothyroidism in breastfed infants.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Povidone Iodine+metronidazole may interact with other antiseptics and products containing enzymatic components, alkali, mercury, silver, hydrogen peroxide, tannic acid, and taurolidine, psychiatric medication (lithium), antiviral (amprenavir, ritonavir, tipranavir), a medicine used to treat chronic alcoholism (disulfiram), blood thinner (warfarin).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interaction found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Before taking Povidone Iodine+metronidazole, let your doctor know if have any allergic reactions to iodine or povidone, overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), or any other thyroid diseases, liver, and kidney problems.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionYou are recommended not to consume alcohol while using medicines.
Pregnancy
cautionUsing Povidone Iodine+metronidazole during pregnancy may affect the unborn baby. Please consult your doctor before taking Povidone Iodine+metronidazole if you are pregnant or planning to conceive.
Breast Feeding
cautionPovidone Iodine+metronidazole is not recommended during breastfeeding. When a breastfeeding mother uses Povidone Iodine+metronidazole, it may increase the iodine levels in the breastmilk causing hypothyroidism in breastfed infants. Please consult your doctor before taking the Povidone Iodine+metronidazole if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
not applicablePovidone Iodine+metronidazole is generally safe to use before driving. However, if you notice any side effects like dizziness or burning sensation in the affected areas, avoid driving and operating machinery until you feel better.
Liver
not applicablePovidone Iodine+metronidazole can be given in case of any liver impairment or problem.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases before taking Povidone Iodine+metronidazole, since it may lead to abnormal kidney function (renal impairment) and an imbalance of electrolytes.
Children
consult your doctorYour doctor will recommend Povidone Iodine+metronidazole depending on your child's severity of infection or wounds.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Use mild soap while taking baths and prefer warm baths.
- Avoid harsh products on your skin.
- Do not scratch or pick your skin to avoid infecting the affected area.
- Manage stress, eat healthily, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep.
- Do not walk barefoot at places like gym showers to prevent bacterial infections.
Special Advise
- Thyroid function monitoring (thyroid function tests like T3, T4, and TSH levels) is recommended in patients to check on overactive thyroid gland function, possibly due to iodine absorption into the body.
- Regular monitoring of electrolytes is necessary since iodine is possibly absorbed into the body and causes an imbalance of electrolytes.
- It is better to take an electrocardiograph (ECG) if you notice rapid heartbeat (tachycardia).
- Taking a blood osmolarity test is advised since Povidone Iodine+metronidazole may cause iodine absorption leading to abnormal blood concentration.
- Kidney function monitoring is advised in patients since Povidone Iodine+metronidazole may affect kidney disease patients with renal impairment.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Skin infection: Skin infection occurs when the skin is broken, cut or wounded. This skin infection allows pathogenic microorganisms to enter and invade the tissues surrounding the wound.
FAQs
Povidone Iodine+metronidazole is a combination of antiseptic and antibiotics medicines that help treat skin infections of wounds, burns and cuts. Povidone Iodine+metronidazole works by inhibiting the growth of infection-causing microbes. As a small molecule, Iodine in Povidone Iodine+metronidazole can easily penetrate microorganisms and oxidizes essential proteins, nucleotides, and fatty acids, leading to cell death.
Please consult your doctor if you use other topical medicines before starting Povidone Iodine+metronidazole. However, products containing enzymatic components, alkali, mercury, silver, hydrogen peroxide, tannic acid and taurolidine may interact with Povidone Iodine+metronidazole and should not be used simultaneously.
Povidone Iodine+metronidazole should be used with proper caution and doctor consultation if you have any liver disease, kidney disease, goitre (abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland), thyroid nodules or other non-acute thyroid diseases. Please tell your doctor if you are undergoing any lithium therapy or radioactive iodine treatment.
Povidone Iodine+metronidazole is not recommended for use if you are undergoing lithium therapy or radioactive iodine treatment. Povidone Iodine+metronidazole should not be used before or after radioiodine scintigraphy or radioiodine treatment of thyroid carcinoma. In such conditions, please consult your doctor before using Povidone Iodine+metronidazole.
Povidone Iodine+metronidazole may interfere with thyroid function tests due to iodine absorption. Please ask your doctor before starting Povidone Iodine+metronidazole if you have any history of thyroid problems. A Povidone Iodine+metronidazole can also show false-positive lab results, such as tests with toluidine or gum guaiac, to determine haemoglobin or glucose in the stool or the urine.
