Betadine during pregnancy

Betadine is an antiseptic drug for topical use, which is very popular among doctors as a drug that is not contraindicated during pregnancy, although when prescribing it, it is worth paying attention to important details: the duration of pregnancy, the absence of contraindications, allergies to the components of the drug.

The active substance of betadine is called povidone-iodine. It contains iodine and polyvinylpyrrolidone, which inhibits the irritant ability of iodine.

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Indications Betadine in pregnancy

Depending on the diagnosed disease and the methods of its treatment, different forms of Betadine are used.

In the form of candles:

• vaginitis, acute or chronic;
• bacterial vaginosis (gardnerellosis);
• candidiasis;
• vaginal infections caused by inadequate antibacterial or steroid therapy;
• prevention and disinfection of female genital organs before gynecological procedures;
• infectious colpitis;
• thrush.

In the form of ointment:

• skin infections;
• bedsores and trophic ulcers.

In the form of a solution:

• disinfection of hands before surgical interventions;
• preparation of the surgical field;
• treatment of wounds and burns;
• disinfection of skin areas around drains, catheters, probes;
• treatment of skin before puncture, biopsy, injections;
• disinfection of the birth canal during childbirth.

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Release form

Betadine is available in three forms: vaginal suppositories, ointment and solution.

The solution is used for optimal prevention of infection on wound surfaces. Also for treatment of burn injuries, in surgical practice for disinfection and treatment of the surgeon's hands, the surgical field.

Vaginal suppositories provide a therapeutic effect in gynecological infectious, viral and fungal diseases.

Betadine ointment is effective for infectious, bacterial, fungal skin lesions, infectious dermatitis, bedsores, trophic ulcers, burns, abrasions, wounds.

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Pharmacodynamics

Betadine has antiseptic, disinfectant, antiviral, antifungal and antiprotozoal effects. It is a broad-spectrum drug.

Microorganisms that Betadine affects:

• bacteria ( E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Gardnerella );
• Candida fungi;
• protozoa ( Trichomonas );
• viruses.

Its mechanism of action: iodine, released in the mucous membrane, blocks amino acids, which form the basis of proteins and enzymes of the pathogenic microorganism. This contributes to the death or euthanization of cellular structures.

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Pharmacokinetics

Betadine begins to act 15-20 seconds after it is applied to the mucous membrane or skin surface. Total death of pathogenic microorganisms occurs 1 minute after the drug comes into contact with the affected tissues.

If Betadine is taken over a long period, absorption of iodine is observed, which leads to its increase in the blood plasma. Normalization of iodine levels is observed 8-15 days after the end of taking the drug because iodine has a large molecular weight and as a result its absorption and excretion by the excretory system is slowed down.

After vaginal administration of betadine, its half-life is two days.

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Dosing and administration

The ointment is applied locally to the skin surface. Before betadine comes into contact with the injured mucous membrane, it must be cleaned and dried dry. The ointment is applied in a thin layer, after which it is recommended to apply a sterile bandage. Infected wounds are treated with betadine twice a day for two weeks.

The solution can be applied externally in diluted and undiluted form. For better action, Betadine is recommended to be heated to body temperature. It is prohibited to dilute the drug in hot water. Undiluted Betadine is used for disinfection of the skin before medical procedures. For hygienic hand cleaning, take 3 ml of the drug 2 times. During hand disinfection before surgery: 5 ml of Betadine 2 times. The solution is used 2-3 times in 24 hours. When treating wound surfaces and burns, Betadine diluted with saline or Ringer's solution is prescribed.

The suppositories must first be removed from the blister and moistened with warm water. The suppositories must be inserted deep into the vagina, preferably before bedtime. They can also be used during menstruation. During the period of using vaginal suppositories, it is recommended to use daytime pads. The drug is used once a day for acute vaginitis for a week, for subacute and chronic vaginitis - two weeks. The standard treatment cycle is 14 days, it can be increased on the recommendation of the attending physician.

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Use Betadine in pregnancy during pregnancy

Most doctors do not recommend using betadine during pregnancy, as they are concerned that the iodine in the drug may affect the normal functioning of the thyroid gland of the future baby. Other doctors use betadine in their practice, prescribing it to pregnant women. However, this is done with extreme caution and under the supervision of a doctor.

During pregnancy, a woman's immunity decreases and the entry of any microorganism that could not cause an inflammatory reaction before pregnancy due to optimal immune protection can lead to inflammation of the genitals, such as vaginosis, vaginitis, candidiasis (thrush). Hypothermia, exacerbation of chronic diseases, uncomfortable underwear, improper observance of personal hygiene rules - all of these are risk factors for the development of the disease during pregnancy.

Depending on the gestational age, the risk of adverse effects of the drug on fetal development varies. The first trimester includes the period of laying and differentiation of the child's organs and systems. This is the initial stage of the formation of a new organism. Since the thyroid gland is still absent at this time, the use of betadine is mostly safe.

In the second trimester of pregnancy, the period of laying down organs and systems comes to an end, their full formation occurs, including the thyroid gland. Therefore, starting from the fourth month, doctors try not to include betadine in the list of prescriptions for pregnant women.

In the third trimester of pregnancy, the use of betadine is also not recommended. However, each individual case must be considered. If the risk of negative consequences of the disease in a woman exceeds the risk of betadine's effect on the fetus, the drug may be prescribed, but with great caution. It is necessary to conduct control studies of the development of the thyroid gland in the child: its size and functioning.

A month before the baby is born, its thyroid gland begins to produce thyroid hormones, and the placenta becomes a barrier to the passage of these hormones from the mother's body to the fetus.

Betadine is effective in suppository form for urogenital infections in pregnant women that may be dangerous for fetal development. It can be prescribed to treat thrush in expectant mothers.

If a pregnant woman has a sore throat, flu, pharyngitis, laryngitis, a betadine solution can help fight inflammation. It contains glycerin, which softens the effect of iodine on the mucous membranes. Betadine in this form can also be used to disinfect the birth canal during childbirth.

The standard treatment regimen for betadine during pregnancy is to use suppositories twice a day for a week, or one vaginal suppository per day for 14 days. But do not forget that all prescriptions are made by the doctor and the period of use is also chosen by him.

Some women may be afraid of vaginal discharge when taking Betidine suppositories during pregnancy. One of the reasons for this phenomenon is that the suppository melts inside and its remains can come out.

Contraindications

The drug is not prescribed if the patient has an individual sensitivity to iodine or other components of the drug, Duhring's dermatitis herpetiformis, impaired renal function, renal, cardiac and hepatic insufficiency.

In pathological conditions of the thyroid gland such as: hyperthyroidism, goiter, adenoma.

Betadine in suppositories is not prescribed simultaneously with other antiseptics and disinfectants.

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Side effects Betadine in pregnancy

Local side effects of betadine include localized temperature increase, itching and redness, swelling of the skin, and the appearance of contact dermatitis. These symptoms disappear when the drug is discontinued.

If Betadine is used for a long time, generalized side effects may occur that require urgent elimination due to complex complications:

• allergic reaction in the form of anaphylactic shock;
• impairment of renal function and development of renal failure;
• metabolic acidosis;
• hyperthyroidism due to excess intake of exogenous iodine into the body;
• circulatory disorder;
• lowering blood pressure.

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Overdose

Overdose of betadine leads to the development of anuria, heart failure, laryngeal edema, pulmonary edema, and metabolic disorders.

In such a case, to save the patient's life, it is necessary to introduce food rich in starch. Gastric lavage with a 5% sodium thiosulfate solution is the initial task of the person providing first aid.

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Interactions with other drugs

Betadine is not recommended to be prescribed simultaneously with drugs containing hydrogen peroxide, silver, toluidine, since the active substances of these drugs lead to a decrease in the effectiveness of betadine.

The medicine is not used with drugs containing mercury, as this will result in the formation of alkaline mercury iodide.

Betadine is incompatible with alkaloid salts, tannic and salicylic acids, silver, and bismuth salts.

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Storage conditions

Optimum storage temperature: 5 – 15 C. The storage place should be protected from direct sunlight and moisture. Betadine should be stored in a place inaccessible to children.

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Shelf life

Shelf life: 36 months. After this period, the medicine cannot be used.

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Analogues

Betadine analogues are medicines whose components include a similar active substance – povidone-iodine. These are:

• Iodoxide;
• Iodosept;
• Iodovidone;
• Aquasan;
• Betadine.

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Pimafucin or Betadine?

Pimafucin is used to treat diseases caused by fungi, such as thrush. This disease often occurs in pregnant women. The drug does not affect the fetus, so it is actively used during pregnancy. This is due to its mechanism of action: the active substance natamycin is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and does not enter the bloodstream, that is, it cannot penetrate the baby's body. Natamycin combines membrane sterols, disrupts their structure and functions, as a result of which pathogenic microorganisms die. The main contraindication to its use is individual intolerance.

Betadine can affect not only mycotic diseases, but also bacterial, viral, and infectious ones. That is, it has an effect on a larger number of microorganisms, therefore, it helps in the fight against a larger number of diseases. However, due to the fact that this drug contains iodine, it can harm the fetus.

Each of the drugs is used in individual cases.