APPENDIX 2
TOPICAL ANTIMICROBIAL DRESSINGS
Community Health Stockport PCT
Topical Antimicrobial Wound Dressings Formulary
Decisions regarding the treatment of clinically infected or critically colonised
wounds must be informed by the Topical Antimicrobial Algorithm.
First Line Management Product Options
Wound Cleansing
£
Prontosan Solution
Wound cleansing solution containing Betaine and PHMB (Polyhexamethylene
bigunaide)
Used instead of normal saline for wound cleansing for wounds that are;
 MRSA positive
 critically colonised
A 350 ml bottle can be use for up to 8 weeks. There is some evidence that
soaking wounds with the product for 10 minutes may have some increase in
effectiveness.
No known contraindications or cautions
Superficial wounds/lesions
£
Inadine
10% Povidone Iodine. Only for use with low exudate wounds.
Available in
 5x5cm
 9.5cmx9.5cm
Do not use if
 Known iodine sensitivity.
 Before and after the use of radio- iodine ( until permanent healing)
 Patient being treated for kidney problems
 Patient is pregnant or breast feeding
 In cases of Duhring’s herpetiform dermatitis( rare skin disorder)
To use with caution
 Must be used under medical supervision in patients with any thyroid
disease
 In new babies and infants to the age of 6 months
£
Actilite
A low adherent dressing coated with antibacterial and essential oils
Available in
 10x10cm
 10x20cm
Do not use if
Patient has known bee venom allergy, bee products or essential oils
Possible Side Effects
May cause stinging on application. This should resolve within 30 minutes. If
stinging continues remove dressing
Full/ Partial Thickness Wounds
££ Algivon
An absorbent, non adherent antibacterial calcium alginate impregnated with
Activon medical Manuka honey. Especially useful for sloughy, necrotic and
malodorous wounds. May increase exudate due to mode of action
Available in
 5x5cm
 10x10cm
Do not use if
Patient is sensitive to bee venom or bee products
To use with caution
Patient is diabetic. Blood sugars require monitoring
Wounds with active blood loss
Possible Side effects
May cause stinging on application. This should resolve within 30 minutes. If
stinging continues remove dressing
££
Iodoflex/Iodosorb
Cadexomer dressing with Iodine
Iodoflex
Available in
 5g
 10g
 17g
Iodosorb ointment
Available in
 10g and 20g
 3g powder sachet
For wounds which producing moderate high exudate
Do not use if
 Known iodine sensitivity.
 Before and after the use of radio- iodine ( until permanent healing)
 Patient being treated for kidney problems
 Patient is pregnant or breast feeding
 In cases of Duhring’s herpetiform dermatitis( rare skin disorder)
To use with caution
 Must be used under medical supervision in patients with any thyroid
disease
 In new babies and infants to the age of 6 months
 Should be used on dry necrotic tissue
££
Prontosan gel
Useful for debriding sloughy, necrotic wounds. Helps with rehydrating
devitalised tissue.
No known contraindications or cautions
All dressings will require some form of secondary dressings. Please ensure
that the most cost effective dressing is used for this purpose
Second Line Management
Superficial wounds/lesions
£ Atrauman Ag
Non- adherent polyamide mesh wound contact layer. Impregnated with
triglycerides coated with metallic silver. Effective up to 7 days.
Available in
 5x5cm
 10x10cm
 10x20cm
Indications
Critically colonised and infected wounds requiring a primary wound contact
layer
Contraindications
Known sensitivity to silver
££
Aquacel Ag
Absorbent fibrous dressing composed of sodium carbomethylcellulose
impregnated with 1.2% ionic silver. Forms a soft gel on contact with exudate.
Available in
 5x5cm ●10x10cm ●15x15cm ●4x10cm ●4x20cm ●4x30cm
●2x45cm
Indications
Wounds producing moderate- high exudate which are critically colonised or
infected
Contra-indications
Known sensitivity to silver
££
Suprasorb X + PHMB
Bio cellulose dressing pad impregnated with broad spectrum antimicrobial
(PHMB). Designed to regulate absorption and rehydration of moisture
Available in
 5x5cm
 9x9cm
 14x20cm
 2x21cm
Indications
Light to moderately exuding wounds which are critically colonised or infected
Contra-indications
Known sensitivity to any of the components of the dressing
Julia Walsh
Tissue Viability Specialist Nurse