Antiseptic (Iodophor)

Povidone-Iodine (Burns)

Brand names: Betadine, Inadine

Povidone-iodine is an iodine-releasing topical antiseptic used in burns and plastics for skin preparation and antimicrobial cover of wounds, available as solution, dressing and cream formulations.

Auto-extracted from the source labelling — not yet independently clinician-verified. These values were distilled from the UK SPC (or the US label where noted) but have not had a clinician sign-off. Confirm against the current SmPC before prescribing.

Adult dose

Dose: Clean the affected area, then spray a small amount of the product on the area

Route: Topical spray - may be covered with a sterile bandage; if bandaged, let dry first

Frequency: 1 to 3 times daily

SOURCE CAVEAT - read before use. No UK SPC (eMC) was fetched for this drug, so the dose above comes from US over-the-counter labelling: openFDA / DailyMed record for 'Betadine' (Atlantis Consumer Healthcare, Inc., label date 2025-01-02, https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=b8f5797b-73e1-4201-b824-2cdd50c90497), retrieved with the query 'povidone-iodine'. Only the Directions section was returned in this bundle, so the label's strength, indication statement, contraindications, interactions, adverse-reaction, pregnancy and paediatric sections are all absent - those fields are omitted below rather than empty. The directions describe first-aid antiseptic use on a small area; the retrieved text gives NO regimen for extensive or deep burns, no limit on treated body-surface area, no maximum duration of use, and no advice on iodine absorption or thyroid effects from application to large burn surfaces - do not extrapolate the above to major burns. ACTION NEEDED: clinician to source the UK labelling (or burns-unit protocol) for the povidone-iodine preparation this page refers to, including strength, application technique, maximum treated area and duration, and thyroid-function monitoring advice. The bundle also references the WHO Essential Medicines List entry (https://list.essentialmeds.org/medicines/172), which is a pointer only - WHO dosing was not extracted; for paediatric dosing consult the WHO Model Formulary for Children or another children's formulary.

Dose auto-extracted from US FDA prescribing information (openFDA / DailyMed) — cross-check; US labelling may differ from UK — not yet clinician-verified. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It releases free iodine that oxidises microbial proteins and nucleic acids, giving broad antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi and viruses on the wound surface.

Prescribing in practice

Significant systemic iodine absorption can occur when applied to large burns or denuded areas, risking thyroid dysfunction and, in renal impairment, iodine accumulation, so avoid extensive or prolonged application over major burns.
Use with particular caution in neonates, pregnancy and breastfeeding because of fetal and neonatal thyroid sensitivity, and avoid in known iodine sensitivity and thyroid disorders.
Some preparations may impair keratinocyte function and wound healing with heavy or repeated use, so confine use to appropriate antiseptic indications.

Monitoring

Monitor for signs of excessive absorption, including thyroid function where large areas are treated or use is prolonged, and watch the periwound skin for irritation.

Counselling the patient

This antiseptic helps reduce germs on the wound or skin before procedures.
Team: limit area and duration over large burns and use caution in thyroid disease, pregnancy and the very young.
Report any skin reaction or known iodine allergy.

Evidence & guidelines

Povidone-iodine is an established antiseptic; cautions over absorption and thyroid effects on large or broken skin areas are detailed in current prescribing references.

Reference: BBA guidelines; WHO SSI prevention guidelines; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators