What is the most important information I should know about benzethonium chloride topical?
Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.
What is benzethonium chloride topical?
Benzethonium chloride topical (for the skin) is used to treat minor cuts, scrapes, wounds, or cracked skin. This medicine dries to form a waterproof protective seal over the skin.
Benzethonium chloride topical may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using benzethonium chloride topical?
Do not use this medicine to treat an animal bite. Contact a doctor or get emergency medical treatment if you have been bitten by an animal, even a pet animal.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is safe to use if you have:
- a deep cut or puncture wound;
- a serious burn;
- diabetes; or
- blood circulation problems.
How should I use benzethonium chloride topical?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Do not take by mouth. Topical medicine is for use only on the skin.
Ask a doctor before using benzethonium chloride topical on a child younger than 2 years old.
Clean the skin wound thoroughly before applying this medicine.
Apply the medicine to the wound and allow it to dry completely before covering the area with clothing.
Do not apply this medicine over large skin areas, or to skin that is infected or oozing. Do not apply over a surgical incision or stitches.
You may lightly cover the treated skin with a sterile gauze or bandage. Do not cover the skin with a tight bandage.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 to 10 days, or if you have redness, swelling, warmth, pain, or drainage from the wound.
To dissolve and remove the protective seal created by this medicine, apply more medicine and quickly wipe it off.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Keep the bottle or spray can tightly capped when not in use.
Benzethonium chloride topical is flammable. Do not use near high heat or open flame. Do not smoke until the medicine has completely dried on your skin.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Apply the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not apply two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
An overdose of benzethonium chloride topical is not expected to be dangerous. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medication.
What should I avoid while using benzethonium chloride topical?
Avoid inhaling the fumes from this medicine. Doing so can cause serious harm or death.
Avoid getting this medicine in your eyes, nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum.
Avoid using other skin medications on the areas you treat with benzethonium chloride topical.
What are the possible side effects of benzethonium chloride topical?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Common side effects may include burning or stinging when the medicine is applied.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect benzethonium chloride topical?
Medicine used on the skin is not likely to be affected by other drugs you use. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about benzethonium chloride topical.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2020 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.01. Revision date: 1/9/2019.
