Benzethonium Chloride

Synonyms: Benzethonii chloridum; benzyldimethyl-[2-[2-(p-1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutylphenoxy) ethoxy]ethyl]ammonium chloride; BZT; diisobutylphenoxyethoxyethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride; Hyamine 1622.

Description: Benzethonium chloride occurs as a white crystalline material with a mild odor and very bitter taste.

Chemical Name: N,N-Dimethyl-N-[2-[2-[4-(1,1,3,3 tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy]ethoxy]ethyl]benzene-methanaminium chloride

Antimicrobial preservative; antiseptic; disinfectant.

• Benzethonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium compound used in pharmaceutical formulations as an antimicrobial preservative.
• Typically, it is used for this purpose in injections, ophthalmic and otic preparations at concentrations 0.01–0.02% w/v.
• Benzethonium chloride may also be used as a wetting and solubilizing agent, and as a topical disinfectant.
• In cosmetics such as deodorants, benzethonium chloride may be used as an antimicrobial preservative in concentrations up to 0.5% w/v.
• The physical properties and applications of benzethonium chloride are similar to those of other cationic surfactants such as cetrimide.

Benzethonium chloride is incompatible with soaps and other anionic surfactants and may be precipitated from solutions greater than 2% w/v concentration by the addition of mineral acids and some salt solutions.

Benzethonium chloride is readily absorbed and is generally regarded as a toxic substance when administered orally. Ingestion may cause vomiting, collapse, convulsions, and coma. The probable lethal human oral dose is estimated to be 50–500 mg/kg bodyweight

Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of material handled. Eye protection and gloves are recommended.

Benzalkonium chloride; cetrimide.