Drug reference
povidone iodine
Antiseptic
Also known as Povidone-iodine
Antiseptic
CDSCO approved
EXCRETION
—
not curated
INTERACTIONS
—
none in our sources
PREGNANCY
—
not curated
Mechanism
Povidone-iodine is an iodine product used as a topical antiseptic. It is applied to support postoperative infection control, specifically for peri-ocular and conjunctival antisepsis before ocular surgery.
Indications
presurgical preparation of periocular skin and irrigation of ocular surfacesboilsfurunculosisburnsotitis externaulcerstineamonilial vaginitistrichomonal vaginitisnonspecific vaginitissurgical scrubbingdisinfection of endoscopesdisinfection of instrumentsCutaneous peri-ocular and conjunctival antisepsis before ocular surgery
Dosing
- Adult
- Apply, leave for 2 minutes, then irrigate thoroughly with sodium chloride 0.9%
Contraindications
- Concomitant use of ocular antimicrobial drugs
- Concomitant use of ocular formulations containing mercury-based preservatives
- Preterm neonates
Side effects
Common
local irritation
Serious
- Eye erythema
- Punctate keratitis
- Cytotoxicity
- Eye discolouration
Pregnancy & lactation
Lactation
Avoid regular or excessive use.
Drug interactions
12 additional unreviewed or low-confidence interactions hidden because their provenance or source detail is insufficient.
Related guidelines
Other Antiseptic drugs
Ask House about povidone iodine
Continue into a citation-backed clinical answer with the drug context already attached.
Textbook-sourced·Sources: KD Tripathi 7e, Goodman & Gilman 14e, BNF·Updated: 2026-05-10