Skin cleansers and antiseptics (Formulary)

For information on the use of skin cleansers and antiseptics refer to the NHS Scotland National Infection Prevention and Control Manual, the MRSA Policy and other Infection Control Policies. Also refer to emollients for hand eczema and emollient bath additives with antiseptics listed in Emollient and barrier preparations.

POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE

NPSA alert re inadvertent oral administration

Tablets for cutaneous solution 400mg

In primary care:

In secondary care:

to be supplied on a named patient basis only
to be prescribed as ‘potassium permanganate 0.01% topical solution’ and the dispensing label must include the warning ‘HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED’
potassium permanganate is not to be stored with medicines for oral/internal use, including the ward drug trolley; dilution should occur away from the patient, and neither the concentrated form or the diluted form, should be left near the patient.

All settings:

prescriptions are only to be issued by an appropriate prescriber – see BAD recommendations
if potassium permanganate is to be used in a patient’s home, a risk assessment must be undertaken before prescribing
all patients must be supplied with a patient information leaflet: https://cdn.bad.org.uk/uploads/2021/12/28095034/Potassium-Permanganate-Solution-Soaks-Apr-2022.pdf