Cetylpyridinium chloride

Synonyms

1-Cetylpyridinium chloride; 1-Hexadecylpyridinium chloride; 1-Palmitylpyridinium chloride; Acetoquat CPC; Aktivex; Ammonyx CPC; Biosept; Ceeprin chloride; Ceepryn chloride; Cepacol; Cepacol chloride; Ceprim; Cetamium; Cetilpiridinio cloruro [DCIT]; Cetyl pyridinium chloride; Cetylpyridini chloridum; Cetylpyridinii chloridum [INN-Latin]; Chlorure de cetylpyridinium [INN-French]; Cloruro de cetilpiridinio [INN-Spanish]; Dobendan; Fixanol C; Hexadecylpyridinium chloride; Intexsan CPC; Medilave; Merocet; N-Cetylpyridinium chloride; N-Hexadecylpyridinium chloride; Pristacin; Pyrisept; Quaternario CPC; Swabettes Hoechst; Tserigel; [ChemIDplus]

Category

Quaternary Amines

Description

White solid; [HSDB]

Sources/Uses

Used as a preservative/antibacterial agent in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, cough lozenges, mouthwashes, deodorants, and antiseptics; [HSDB] Quarternary ammonium compounds are used as algaecides/slimicides (swimming pools, industrial water reservoirs, and farm ponds), antiseptics for cleaning wounds, antistatic agents for textiles, softeners for paper products, and pigment dispersers; [IPCS-PIMs]

Comments

Irritating to the skin and eyes; [HSDB] Allergic contact dermatitis is infrequently documented for quaternary ammonium compounds; [Marks, p. 266] Quaternary ammonium compounds have curare-like properties when concentrated solutions are ingested; Affected patients may have methemoglobinemia and hemolysis and die within 1-3 hours; Elevated liver function tests were reported; Concentrated solutions can cause burns; No data on carcinogenicity or teratogenicity; [IPCS-PIMs] See "Benzalkonium chloride."

Biomedical References

LC50 (rat) = 90 mg/m3/4h

Yes

MetHgb is secondary toxic effect

Other CNS neurotoxin

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Skin burns

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Contact dermatitis, allergic

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Using Disinfectants or Biocides