ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we discuss various aspects of the topical antimicrobial products currently in common use in medical, food service, and consumer (personal hygiene) markets. The antimicrobial products of primary interest include iodine complexes (aqueous iodophors and tinctures), aqueous formulations of chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG), triclosan, parachlorometaxylenol (PCMX), alcohol formulations, tinctures of CHG, and quaternary ammonium products [2, 31]. Commonly, alcohol is formulated purely or blended with other drugs, such as iodine and CHG, to increase its performance benefits.
