Benzalkonium chloride is an antiseptic, a surface active cationic substance that disrupts the permeability of the cell membrane of microorganisms and inhibits enzymatic processes, is active against many pathogenic bacteria, certain types of viruses (the virus is inactivated Herpes simplex), mushrooms and protozoa.
It shows bactericidal activity against staphylococci, streptococci, gram-negative bacteria (intestinal and pseudomonas aeruginosa, proteus, klebsiella, etc.), anaerobic bacteria, fungi and molds.
It acts on strains of bacteria resistant to antibiotics and other chemotherapeutic drugs; suppresses plasmacoagulase and hyaluronidase of staphylococci.
Prevents secondary infection of wounds by hospital strains of microorganisms.