Povidone (polyvinylpyrrolidone, PVP) is used in the pharmaceutical industry as a synthetic polymer vehicle for dispersing and suspending drugs.
Contents
Benefits
It also acts as a disintegrant and tablet binder. It appears as white to off-white hygroscopic powder in its pure form and is readily soluble in water. Povidone has the molecular formula of (C6H9NO)n. Povidone formulations are widely used in the pharmaceutical industry due to their ability to dissolve in both water and oil solvents.
Povidone’s most common use is in the topical povidone-iodine solution (Aerodine, Betadine), where iodine is released as an antiseptic. Povidone-iodine is often used to prevent surgical incision infections. Povidone has also been used as blood volume expander and as an antibacterial in dental procedures. Chlorhexidine-alcohol is also used topically as a pre-operative surgical antiseptic and has been shown in one study to have slightly better antimicrobial activity
Cautions
Kidney problems, Thyroid problems, increased acid levels in the blood, increased sodium in the blood.
Interactions
None are recorded.
Other names
Bai Fu Ling, Champignon Poria, China-root, Fu Ling, FuShen, Hoelen, Hongos Poria, Indian Bread, Matsuhodo, Mushroom, Polyporus, Poria, Poria cocos, Poria Cocos Sclerotium, Poria Sclerotium, Sclerotium of Tuckahoe, Sclerotium Poria Cocao, Sclerotium Poriae Cocos, Tuckahoe, Wolfiporia cocos
References:
Drugs webmd.com, http://drugs.webmd.boots.com/drugs/drug-375-Povidone-Iodine.aspx
Drugs.com, http://www.drugs.com/inactive/povidone-169.html