Cetrimonium bromide is a drug belonging to the class of bactericidal and fungicidal disinfectants. The active ingredient is mainly found in lozenges.
What is cetrimonium bromide?
Cetrimonium bromide is a drug belonging to the class of bactericidal and fungicidal disinfectants. The active ingredient is mainly found in lozenges. The drug cetrimonium bromide is a component of the antiseptic cetrimides. The cationic surfactant has an antiseptic effect against bacteria and fungi. It is a surface-active quaternary ammonium compound. Cetrimonium bromide is contained in medicines mostly in combination with the active ingredients lidocaine and tyrothricin. Cetrimonium bromide is not available as a monopreparation. The combination of lidocaine, tyrothricin and cetrimonium bromide is used in the treatment of infections of the throat and pharynx. Lidocaine is a local anesthetic. It reduces pain. Tyrothricin has an antibacterial effect and cetrimonium bromide has a disinfectant effect. In medical diagnostics, cetrimonium bromide is used as a complexing agent in the extraction of DNA.
Pharmacological action
Cetrimonium bromide consists of a quaternary ammonium compound with an alkyl group. The alkyl group is in turn formed from 16 carbon atoms. The drug belongs to the cationic surfactants and provides cell disruption in the CTAB method. Together with polyvinylpyrrolidone and mercaptoethanol, the drug releases the DNA from the cell. This process is usually followed by treatment with chloroform-octanol, in which the DNA is then finally extracted. This process is also known as CTAB precipitation. Cetrimonium bromide also has an antiseptic effect. The cationic surfactant is effective against bacteria and fungi. The drug belongs to the group of surface-active substances. Surface-active substances reduce the surface tension. Due to the changed surface activity, the bacterial surface disorganizes. The permeability of the bacterial membrane changes. Finally, the cell proteins denature. Water can penetrate the bacteria, so that they eventually perish. A similar mechanism of action is also observed in fungi.
Medical application and use
Cetrimonium bromide is used both as a complexing agent and as a disinfectant. The drug is used in DNA extraction for plasmid isolation. By complexing and precipitating the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), cetrimonium bromide separates interfering proteins and polysaccharides. After extraction, the DNA can be analyzed. The DNA can then be used to draw conclusions about various genetic aspects of humans. The analyses are not only used for forensic purposes, but also for medical diagnostics. In this way, diseases can be diagnosed on the basis of the genetic data. Predispositions to diseases are also investigated with DNA analyses. DNA analysis is also used to clarify questions of parentage, for example in paternity tests. Due to its disinfectant effect, cetrimonium bromide is used in various medicines to treat colds. Together with lidocaine and tyrothricin, cetrimonium bromide is usually administered as a triple combination. The preferred form of application is lozenges, which are prescribed to patients for bacterial infections of the throat and pharynx. Lidocaine provides pain relief due to its local anesthetic properties. Tyrothricin has antibacterial effects, as does cetrimonium bromide. Indications for the administration of cetrimonium bromide also include tonsillitis (angina tonsillaris), pharyngitis (pharyngitis) and laryngitis (laryngitis). Cetrimonium bromide can also be used for diphtheria and inflammation of the epiglottis.
Risks and side effects
Cetrimonium bromide should not be administered if you are hypersensitive to the drug. During breastfeeding and pregnancy, the drug should be taken only after a careful risk-benefit assessment by the doctor. It should not be used in the case of fresh wounds in the mouth and throat. In rare cases, hypersensitivity reactions in the mouth and / or throat may occur after taking cetrimonium bromide. In this case, stomatitis medicamentosa may develop.Patients suffer from bad breath and pain when eating. The mucous membrane in the mouth is swollen and reddened. Sometimes there are purulent, greasy coatings on it. There may also be small round erosions covered with white fibrin coatings. These mucosal manifestations are also known as aphthae. They cause patients a great deal of pain. Depending on the extent, the gums may also be inflamed. The inflammation of the gums is called gingivitis. When brushing the teeth or wiping away the purulent plaque, the sensitive areas in the mouth may bleed. The sense of taste may be impaired or even temporarily lost. However, after discontinuing the medication, symptoms resolve fairly quickly.
