🧴 Ethyl Alcohol Solution 70%
📌 1. Prescription / Indication:
Ethyl alcohol (ethanol) 70% solution is widely used as:
- A topical antiseptic for skin disinfection before injections or surgical procedures
- A hand sanitizer base
- A surface disinfectant in clinical and home settings
- Antimicrobial agent in pharmaceuticals and personal hygiene products
📄 2. Description:
- A clear, colorless, volatile liquid with a strong characteristic alcohol odor
- Contains 70% v/v ethanol (in water), which is optimal for microbial killing
- Works by denaturing proteins and dissolving lipids in microbial cell membranes
🔬 3. Nature / Class:
- Pharmacological class: Antiseptic / Disinfectant
- Chemical type: Simple alcohol
- Action: Broad-spectrum bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal activity (less effective against spores)
🌟 4. Advantages:
- Fast-acting antiseptic
- No need to dilute—ready to use
- More effective than higher concentrations (e.g., 95%) due to slower evaporation, allowing better penetration
- Low cost, easily accessible
- Evaporates quickly, leaving no residue
📦 5. Common Packaging:
- Plastic or glass bottles of 100 mL, 500 mL, 1 L, or larger bulk containers
- Sometimes in spray bottles for hand or surface use
- Clearly labeled “Ethyl Alcohol 70%” or “70% v/v Ethanol Solution”
🧊 6. Storage:
- Store in a cool, well-ventilated place below 30°C
- Keep container tightly closed
- Flammable – keep away from heat, sparks, open flames, or hot surfaces
- Avoid exposure to direct sunlight
👩⚕️ 7. Patient Advice:
- External use only – not for ingestion or internal use
- Keep away from eyes, open wounds, and mucous membranes
- Use in well-ventilated areas
- Discontinue if irritation or rash develops
- Store out of reach of children
🎯 8. Purpose / Uses:
- Hand disinfection in healthcare and public settings
- Skin antisepsis before injections, IVs, or surgical incisions
- Surface disinfection of medical instruments or workspaces
- Used in pharmaceutical formulations, tinctures, and sanitizers
⚠️ 9. Precautions / Warnings:
- Highly flammable – handle with care
- Avoid contact with eyes – rinse immediately with water if exposed
- Repeated use may cause dryness or irritation of skin
- Do not use on deep wounds or large open injuries