Active ingredient:
povidone iodine
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using Betadine Antiseptic Topical
Ointment. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about using Betadine Antiseptic Topical Ointment.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using Betadine Antiseptic Topical Ointment?
Betadine Antiseptic Topical Ointment contains the active ingredient povidone.
Betadine Antiseptic Topical Ointment is used as an antiseptic for the treatment of
common skin infections such as infections of the skin around the nails, prevention
of infections in minor burns, cuts and abrasions.
2. What should I know before I use Betadine Antiseptic Topical Ointment?
Warnings
BETADINE ANTISEPTIC TOPICAL OINTMENT IS FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY.
Do not use Betadine Antiseptic Topical Ointment:
if you are allergic to povidone or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this
leaflet.
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
on extensive burn areas
if you have a known hypersensitivity to povidone iodine, iodine polyvinylpyrrolidone
or any excipients listed in the product description.
if irritation, redness or swelling develops, discontinue treatment and consult a doctor.
if you currently have or have ever had, a thyroid problem, including swelling (nodular
colloid goitre, endemic goitre or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis), as there may be a risk
of developing hyperthyroidism from the administration of large amounts of iodine.
for 4 weeks prior to treatment for cancer of the thyroid.
during lithium therapy or mercury derivatives therapy
over a long period and to large areas of the skin (e.g., not to more than 10% of the
total body surface and for not longer than 14 days) unless strictly indicated.
Do not use in children below 2 years of age.
DO NOT USE IF TUBE SEAL IS BROKEN OR AFTER EXPIRY DATE.
Povidone-iodine preparations are expected to react with unsaturated organic compounds
(e.g. blood, pus) and can lead to ineffectiveness of the preparation.
Check with your doctor if you:
have any other medical conditions
take any medicines for any other conditions
have ever had a kidney problem as using this product may cause toxic levels of iodine
to be absorbed into your blood, avoid inhalation and avoid contact with eyes
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Betadine Antiseptic Topical Ointment is not recommended during pregnancy. Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
Betadine Antiseptic Topical Ointment is not recommended during breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interfere with Betadine Antiseptic Topical Ointment and affect
how it works.
Lithium (for depression) can interact with Betadine Antiseptic Topical Ointment to
affect the function of the thyroid gland. Therefore, concurrent use should be avoided.
Do not use other wound-treatment preparations containing enzymatic components at the
same time as a povidone-iodine preparation as this can lead to ineffectiveness of
both the preparations. The same thing can happen if disinfectants containing silver,
hydrogen peroxide or taurolidine are used at the same time.
Do not use at the same time or immediately after application of octenidine containing
antiseptics in the same or adjacent sites, as this may lead to transient dark discolorations
in the areas involved.
The use of mercury containing wound-treatment products at the same time with povidone-iodine
preparations can lead to the formation of a substance which can damage the skin.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect Betadine Antiseptic Topical Ointment.
4. How do I use Betadine Antiseptic Topical Ointment?
When to use Betadine Antiseptic Topical Ointment
Before applying the Povidone-iodine preparations ensure the area is clean. Povidone-iodine
preparations may react with blood or pus and lead to ineffectiveness of the preparation.
Apply directly to the affected area two to three times daily. The affected area may
be bandaged.
How to use Betadine Antiseptic Topical Ointment
Betadine Antiseptic Topical Ointment is for external use only.
Do not heat prior to application.
If you use too much Betadine Antiseptic Topical Ointment
If you think that you have used too much Betadine Antiseptic Topical Ointment, you
may need urgent medical attention.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre in Australia
(by calling
13 11 26), or New Zealand 0800 POISON or 0800 764 766
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
5. What should I know while using Betadine Antiseptic Topical Ointment?
Things you should do
Tell your doctor if you are due to have a thyroid test, faeces (stool) or urine test,
as Betadine Antiseptic Liquid Spray may affect the results
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using Betadine Antiseptic
Topical Ointment.
Avoid inhalation
Avoid contact with the eyes.
Due to the oxidative effect of povidone-iodine preparations may show inaccurate results
with diagnostic tests for the determination of blood or glucose in the stool or the
urine.
During the use of povidone-iodine preparations the iodine uptake of the thyroid can
be lowered; this can lead to interference with various diagnostic investigations on
the thyroid and can make a planned treatment of the thyroid with iodine impossible.
Driving or using machines
Betadine has no influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
Looking after your medicine
Keep your medicine in a place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do
not store it:
in the bathroom or near a sink, or
in the car or on window sills.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy
for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
Serious side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Should you suffer from any of these side effects, or if you notice any side effects
not listed in this leaflet, stop using Betadine Antiseptic Topical Ointment immediately
and tell a doctor or pharmacist.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to:
New Zealand online at
By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
7. Product details
This medicine is available over-the-counter without a doctor's prescription.
What Betadine Antiseptic Topical Ointment contains
|
Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
|
Povidone
|
|
Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
|
Macrogol 1000
Macrogol 1500
Macrogol 3350
Macrogol 400
Purified water
Sodium bicarbonate
|
|
Potential allergens
|
N/A
|
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What Betadine Antiseptic Topical Ointment looks like
Betadine Antiseptic Topical Ointment is a brown viscous ointment in a 25 g or 65 g
tube
(AUST R 29561)
Who distributes Betadine Antiseptic Topical Ointment
Betadine Antiseptic Topical Ointment is supplied in Australia:
iNova Pharmaceuticals (Australia) Pty Limited
Level 10, 12 Help Street
Chatswood NSW 2067
Toll-free: 1800 630 056
Betadine Antiseptic Topical Ointment is supplied in New Zealand by:
iNova Pharmaceuticals (New Zealand) Limited
C/-Simpson Grierson
Private Bag 92518
88 Shortland Street
Auckland 1141
Toll free (NZ): 0508 375 394
This leaflet was prepared in August 2024