Cetrimide

Category

Antimicrobial Preservative; Cationic Surfactant; Disinfectant

Molecular Formula

C17H38BrN

Molecular Weight

336.4

Grade

Pharmceutical Excipients

Description

Cetrimide is a white to creamy white, free-flowing powder, with a faint but characteristic odor and a bitter, soapy taste.

UNII

NA

Chemical Name

Cetrimide

CAS Number

8044-71-1

Synonyms

Bromat; Cetab; Cetavlon; Cetraol; cetrimidum; Lissolamine V; Micol; Morpan CHSA; Morphans; Quammonium; Sucticide

Stability and Storage Conditions

Cetrimide is chemically stable in the dry state, and also in aqueous solution at ambient temperatures. Aqueous solutions may be sterilized by autoclaving. Water containing metal ions and organic matter may reduce the antimicrobial activity of cetrimide. The bulk material should be stored in a well-closed container in a cool, dry place.

Source and Preparation

Cetrimide is prepared by the condensation of suitable alkyl bromides and trimethylamine.

Applications

Cetrimide is a quaternary ammonium compound that is used in cosmetics and pharmaceutical formulations as an antimicrobial preservative; see Section 10. It may also be used as a cationic surfactant. In eye-drops, it is used as a preservative at a concentration of 0.005% w/v. Therapeutically, cetrimide is used in relatively high concentrations, generally as 0.1-1.0% w/v aqueous solutions, cream or spray as a topical antiseptic for skin, burns, and wounds.Solutions containing up to 10% w/v cetrimide are used as shampoos to remove the scales in seborrheic dermatitis. Cetrimide is also used as a cleanser and disinfectant for hard contact lenses, although it should not be used on soft lenses; as an ingredient of cetrimide emulsifying wax, and in o/w creams (e.g.cetrimide cream).

Safety

Most adverse effects reported relate to the therapeutic use of cetrimide. If ingested orally, cetrimide and other quaternary ammonium compounds can cause nausea, vomiting, muscle paralysis, CNS depression, and hypotension; concentrated solutions may cause esophageal damage and necrosis. The fatal oral human dose is estimated to be 1.0-3.0 g. At the concentrations used topically, solutions do not generally cause irritation, although concentrated solutions have occasionally been reported to cause burns. Cases of hypersensitivity have been reported following repeated application. Adverse effects that have been reported following irrigation of hydatid cysts with cetrimide solution include chemical peritonitis, methemoglobinemia with cyanosis, and metabolic disorders.

Incompatibilities

Incompatible with soaps, anionic surfactants, high concentrations of nonionic surfactants, bentonite, iodine, phenylmercuric nitrate, alkali hydroxides, and acid dyes. Aqueous solutions react with metals.