White or almost white, voluminous, free-flowing powder.
Cetrimide is a white to creamy white, free-flowing powder, with a
faint but characteristic odor and a bitter, soapy taste.
ChEBI: Cetrimide is an organic molecular entity.
Cetrimide is prepared by the condensation of suitable alkyl
bromides and trimethylamine.
Pharmaceutical Applications
Cetrimide is a quaternary ammonium compound that is used in
cosmetics and pharmaceutical formulations as an antimicrobial
preservative. 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.(1) 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).
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.
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.
Incompatible with soaps, anionic surfactants, high concentrations
of nonionic surfactants, bentonite, iodine, phenylmercuric nitrate,
alkali hydroxides, and acid dyes. Aqueous solutions react with
metals.
Included in nonparenteral medicines licensed in the UK. Included in
the Canadian List of Acceptable Non-medicinal Ingredients.
Cetrimide is on the list of ‘Existing Active Substances’ on the
market in the Europe, and is registered according to REACH
regulation. Cetrimide is not present in any approved product in the
USA.
