Ocular preservatives: associated risks and newer options.
Presence of a preservative in an ocular medication has often been considered a culprit in damaging the epithelium. However, the inclusion of a preservative is equally necessary, especially in multiple-dose containers, in order to protect against dangerous organisms accidentally gaining access during instillation. Benzalkonium chloride (BAK), chlorobutanol, chlorhexidine acetate (CHA), and phenylmercuric nitrate or acetate are some commonly used preservatives in eye preparations. New preservatives with a wide range of activity and good safety profiles have been introduced in the market, such as stabilized oxychloro complex (SOC), sofZia, and sodium perborate. In the present review, we discuss various conventional and newly proposed and patented preservative molecules for ocular use. Reasons for discontinuing traditional preservatives and the need for less-toxic molecules are discussed at length, along with newer options coming up in this area.
Kaur
Indu Pal
IP
University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. indupalkaur@yahoo.com
Lal
Shruti
S
Rana
Cheena
C
Kakkar
Shilpa
S
Singh
Harinder
H
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D005123:Eye / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D012306:Risk; D018675:Toxicity Tests
D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical