Dequalinium is a
quaternary ammonium cation and
bolaamphiphile Bolaamphiphiles (also known as ''bolaform surfactants'',
''bolaphiles'', or ''alpha-omega-type surfactants'') are amphiphilic molecules that have hydrophilic groups at both ends of a sufficiently long hydrophobic hydrocarbon chain. Compared to singl ...
commonly available as the dichloride salt. The bromide, iodide, acetate, and undecenoate salts are known as well. Dequalinium chloride is the active ingredient of several medications:
''Dequadin'' an
antiseptic
An antiseptic (from Greek ἀντί ''anti'', "against" and σηπτικός ''sēptikos'', "putrefactive") is an antimicrobial substance or compound that is applied to living tissue/skin to reduce the possibility of infection, sepsis, or putre ...
and
disinfectant. It is a
topical
A topical medication is a medication that is applied to a particular place on or in the body. Most often topical medication means application to body surfaces such as the skin or mucous membranes to treat ailments via a large range of classes ...
bacteriostat
A bacteriostatic agent or bacteriostat, abbreviated Bstatic, is a biological or chemical agent that stops bacteria from reproducing, while not necessarily killing them otherwise. Depending on their application, bacteriostatic antibiotics, disinfect ...
. It is used in wound dressings and mouth infections and may also have antifungal action. It may cause
skin ulcer
An ulcer is a sore on the skin or a mucous membrane, accompanied by the disintegration of tissue. Ulcers can result in complete loss of the epidermis and often portions of the dermis and even subcutaneous fat. Ulcers are most common on the skin of ...
ation.
''Fluomizin'', vaginal tablets containing 10 mg dequalinium chloride, are used for treating vaginal bacterial conditions (i.e.
Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a disease of the vagina caused by excessive growth of bacteria. Common symptoms include increased vaginal discharge that often smells like fish. The discharge is usually white or gray in color. Burning with urination ...
and
aerobic vaginitis).
The dequalinium dication is symmetrical, containing two quaternary quinolinium units linked by an N-decylene chain.
Applications
Dequalinium salts may be used to treat malaria. As dequalinium chloride, it can be used in lozenges to cure tonsillitis, but this is not effective in cases of streptococci infections.
References
Further reading
*
External links
International Mark - Fluomizin(804560)Comparative Study of Efficacy of 10 mg Dequalinium Chloride (Fluomizin) in the Local Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis
Quinolines
Quaternary ammonium compounds
Antiseptics
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