They have poor activity against bacterial and fungal spores, evaporate rapidly if kept in open containers, form flammable mixtures with air, are inactivated by organic matter, and dissolve lens cement mountings. Ethyl alcohol has abuse potential and must be kept in locked cabinets. When used as antiseptics, they are applied to the skin after Nolvasan or Betadine Scrub. As instrument disinfectants, they may be used by immersion for 15 minutes. Alcohol should never be in direct contact with an incision because it will cause severe pain.
Free iodine is complexed to the polymer povidone to produce a non-toxic antiseptic.
Povidone-iodine is effective against all classes of microorganisms. The scrub is used undiluted as an antiseptic. The solution is used as a disinfectant by diluting 3 ounces to a gallon of water. Zephiran has been largely supplanted as an antiseptic by Betadine. These agents have no effect against the tubercle bacillus and are inactivated by soaps.